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Cardinals Appeal
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Cardinal's Appeal Update - 2026
Dear Parishioners,
I would like to invite you to take part in this year’s Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal (CASA).
This Appeal supports many important needs of the Church, including parishes, priests, seminarians, and many ministries that serve people across our Archdiocese. Our parish is also one of the beneficiaries of this program, so our participation is a meaningful sign that we recognize these needs and want to be part of this work. Please see below to see how St. Stephen’s has benefitted from Cardinal’s Appeal funds.
Please remember it is not about the size of the gift. If someone is able to give a larger donation, we are very grateful. But even a small gift matters. What is important is that many families from our parish take part in this Appeal. This is a beautiful sign of our positive response as a parish community and our willingness to support the needs of the Church.
Donation envelopes are available at the back of the church. You may also give online using the link provided. When giving online, you will see two options: “Archdiocese” and “Parish.” Please choose “Parish” so that your gift will be credited to our parish. In the parish message line, please write:
556 – St. Stephen’s, Warwick
Thank you for your generosity, your faith, and your willingness to support this important Appeal.
Fr. Slawek
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How Does CASA Benefit St. Stephens?Sharing God’s Gift Grant
This past year, a grant program entitled “Sharing God’s Gifts” was developed in the Archdiocese of New York funded by the Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal. Parishes across the archdiocese were encouraged to apply for funds to help create or enhance parish programs. St. Stephen’s received a $10,000 Sharing God’s Gifts grant focused on younger families in the parish.
Through grant funds, the Family Faith Formation program was able to purchase upgraded technology for use in the classroom. The grant also helped fund many of the Family Events that were held throughout the school year, including All Saints Night in October, the Advent- related events in December, the Three Kings Procession in January, and the Shadow Box Stations of the Cross during Lent.
Once a year, we hold a Baptism Brunch for those families who had children baptized that year in our parish. This event brings young families together to reconnect with the parish and meet other young families at a similar stage in life.
As a direct result of this Brunch, the Little Lambs Ministry was formed. Little Lambs meets on Friday mornings at the Parish Community Center providing a safe and nurturing environment for young children and parents or guardians to connect. We have had very positive feedback on both the Brunch and Little Lambs Ministry.
Finally, if you look around during Mass you may see young children with a tote bag of age- and faith-appropriate items to help keep them quietly occupied. These Mass Bags were funded entirely with funds from Sharing God’s Gifts. Additionally, St. Stephen’s has purchased a subscription to Magnifikids!, a booklet with Mass readings and activities appropriate for older children who may not be ready for the full Missal. Both the Mass Bags and Magnifikids! booklets allow families to get more out of the Mass and encourage regular attendance.
St. Stephen’s currently has an application in for the next round of Sharing God’s Gifts grants to further enhance Family Faith Formation and continue to support families within our parish. Parishioners often think that their appeal donations go “downtown” never to be seen again. Rest assured, your support of the Cardinal’s Appeal has had and will continue to have a very tangible and positive impact right here at St. Stephen’s Church.
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Cardinal's Appeal
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