HOPE Appeal 2026: Together, We Give Hope
Dear Parish Family,
This weekend we begin our 2026 HOPE Appeal, and before I ask you to consider making a gift, I simply want to say thank you.
Last year, 403 households from Mary, Mother of Our Savior participated and together gave $99,928 - 106% of our parish goal. The average gift was $248. You showed what is possible when a parish family comes together in generosity, and I am deeply grateful.
Behind those numbers are real people whose lives were touched by the Church.
Last year, Catholic Charities provided more than 1.2 million meals through its food pantries and helped 1,781 people transition into stable housing. Our Catholic schools educated 3,365 students, including 821 receiving tuition assistance. Thousands of children and teenagers were formed in our Catholic faith, while the Appeal also supported seminarians, deacons, lay ministers, hospital chaplains, and many others serving throughout our diocese.
And some of that impact happens right here in Utica. The HOPE Appeal supports Catholic Campus Ministry at both Utica University and SUNY Polytechnic Institute, helping bring the presence of Christ to young adults in our own community.
Our parish goal this year is $97,968. If our participating households prayerfully consider a gift of $250 about $21 a month or 68 cents a day we can once again meet and even exceed our goal.
But please hear this clearly: $250 is an invitation, not an expectation.
Jesus teaches us through the widow’s mite that God does not measure generosity the way the world does. He sees the faith, love, and sacrifice behind every gift. That is why every gift truly matters. We are not all called to give the same amount. We are simply called to ask, “Lord, what are You inviting me to give?”
I have already made my own $500 pledge, and I invite you to join me not by giving the same amount, but by prayerfully making the gift that is right for you and your family.
You will find a HOPE Appeal pledge card inserted in this weekend’s bulletin. Please take it home, pray about your gift this week, and return your completed card next weekend by placing it in the collection basket or delivering it to the parish office.
You may also give online at syracusediocese.org/hopeappeal.
Last year, 403 households participated. This year, I would love to see even more of our parish family take part. When each of us places our gift into the Lord’s hands whatever its size He can multiply our generosity into hope for someone we may never meet.
Thank you for your generosity, your stewardship, and your commitment to the mission of Jesus Christ.
Your Servant in Christ,
Father Jason C. Hage, Pastor
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
Mary, Mother of Our Savior, pray for us!