February, 2026
Glory be to Jesus Christ!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we set out on the journey of Great Lent, we begin our annual Eparchial Appeal. This season is, above all, a time of repentance – an invitation to examine our lives with honesty, to cleanse our hearts through prayer, and to approach the Sacrament of Confession with sincerity. Fasting forms us in humility and self-discipline, while almsgiving opens our hearts to the needs of others and becomes a concrete sign of our conversion. Through repentance and works of mercy, we grow in our awareness of Christ’s boundless love, revealed in His self-giving for our sake, and we draw closer to the Holy Eucharist—the source of our spiritual life and the strength of our renewal.
At every Divine Liturgy, we offer simple bread and wine. They seem ordinary, yet God transforms them into the Body and Blood of Christ, given for the life of the world. In the same way, our offerings, our time, our talents, and our resources, can be transformed by God to bring hope, comfort, and healing to those in need. As the Holy Bible reminds us “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10).
Through your generosity, we can sustain the ministries that nurture our parishes, care for our clergy, form future leaders, and support families in moments of joy and hardship. At the same time, your gifts allow us to respond with love and solidarity to the immense humanitarian needs of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, who continue to suffer from war, displacement, and uncertainty. Through your compassion, they know they are not alone and that they are remembered in prayer and in love.
I warmly invite you to make a generous gift to this year’s “Share” Appeal as a prayerful offering placed on the altar, alongside the bread and wine. No gift is insignificant when it is given with faith and a generous heart. Trust that the Lord, who faithfully provides for us each day, will continue to bless us—so that together we may be instruments of His care for others.
May the God’s blessings be upon you for your faith, generosity and your love for the Church as we continue this Lenten journey together.
With prayers and gratitude,
† Bishop Benedict