BRIDGEPORT—The new “ARISE” video celebrating the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) is now available online.
The four-minute video, captures the faces of the faithful in churches, schools, and social service settings throughout the diocese, and features an impassioned call to action by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano who thanks those who have already given and urges us all to participate.
After a difficult year for the people of the diocese, the bishop begins the video on a note of great hope:
“I come to you, my friends, with real joyful hope because as this pandemic begins to recede, you and I are given this wonderful opportunity, creatively and imaginatively, to set our Church on a path of growth by offering new initiatives and new opportunities to engage our young people,” the bishop says as he was filmed at St. Augustine Cathedral.
In his interview remarks for the video, the bishop said that the ACA is crucial this year, not only because it helps the diocese address the ongoing needs of those most affected by the pandemic, but also because this year’s ACA is providing seed money for many through the “Eucharistic Call to Renewal” initiatives outlined in the Bishop’s recent Pastoral Exhortation, “Let Us Enter the Upper Room with Our Lord.”
The Bishop challenges us all to “become Ambassadors of Christ,” and to join in the renewal underway by engaging in prayer and giving generously to the ACA.
The bishop asks for prayers and describes this year’s ACA, and urges the faithful “not to lose this unique moment to aid our sisters and brothers in need, and place our Church on the path of growth and renewal.”
The video was produced by Brian Russell of Fairfield, Director of Red Shoe Film. Pam Rittman, Director of the Annual Catholic Appeal, served as consultant and coordinated the filming with Red Shoe Film.
Please make your pledge online at www.2021ACABridgeport.com or call 203.416.1470. You may also donate by texting the word APPEAL to 475.241.7849 to make your pledge. Please visit the website to view the 2021 Appeal video and learn more.
