EDITORIAL

Well done, Catholics, one more time

It has become a welcome tradition every year to congratulate Catholics in the Albany Diocese for increasing their gifts to the Bishop's Appeal (see "features").

It is especially heartening to do so this year, given the time of change we are going through. For the past year, every parish has been involved in the "Called to be Church" process, which is looking at the past, present and future, and will result in some changes throughout the Diocese 18 months from now.

This is naturally an apprehensive time for many people as they wonder what will happen next. But that feeling did not deter Catholics from supporting the Bishop's Appeal, which funds so many positive efforts in the 14 counties of the Diocese: Catholic education programs...Catholic Charities' many services to the poor, elderly and others in need...vocation recruitment efforts and ongoing education for clergy.

Those efforts will continue beyond any changes that result from "Called to be Church," and Catholics rallied behind them.

So we say once more: Well done, Catholics!

(7/19/07)