Mother’s Day Parish Envelope Collection

Dear Parishioners,

As the Human Services Arm of the Church, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend fulfills its mission entrusted to us by the faithful: to serve those in need. Eighty-eight cents of every dollar donated directly supports our programming, ensuring maximum impact in our community. 

As we approach Catholic Charities’ annual Mother's Day Parish Envelope Collection, we want to share the story of Melanie, a mother whose life has been touched by your generosity.

Melanie is just one of the 21,000 people in our diocese who we were privileged to serve last year, each determined to improve their lives. We help mothers through our Pro-Life services as they learn how to parent, mothers who are new to our community, and mothers whose children are suffering from anxiety and have nowhere to turn except our counseling services.

As the month of May honors Mary, our heavenly mother, we ask you to please consider making a donation in honor of mothers everywhere who are experiencing crisis and need a helping hand. These funds stay in our diocese to ensure the most vulnerable are served.

In your parish envelopes, you will find a special collection envelope for Catholic Charities. This Mother's Day, we invite you to bring this envelope to Mass. While your gifts are recorded at your parish and remain anonymous to us, your support is a visible reflection of your love and generosity in the lives of those we serve.

Yours in Christ,

Dan Florin

CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend

Meet Melanie

At 46 years old, Melanie relocated to Indiana for a promising job, only to have it unexpectedly dissolve. This hardship was compounded when her daughter was admitted to the pediatric ICU, leading to Melanie losing yet another job. Facing unemployment and mounting medical expenses, she feared losing everything.

Seeking assistance, Melanie discovered Catholic Charities through a school counselor. Her initial visit to the Community Center of Caring Food Pantry proved overwhelming. The genuine kindness of the staff and the abundance of food moved her to tears, as she realized her family would have enough to eat.

Melanie then connected with Heather, a case manager who introduced her to the Thrive Life Skills class. While initially drawn by the financial incentive, Melanie soon became deeply engaged with the class content. She appreciated the emphasis on values, family, spirituality, and emotional well-being, which resonated with her personal beliefs and helped her regain a sense of stability.

The support Melanie has received through Thrive has been life-changing. The program encourages openness and transparency, fostering a supportive community among participants. Realizing they are not alone in experiencing loss and hardship, the participants empower one another to leave behind past hurts and toxic relationships. Thrive has instilled in Melanie a renewed sense of hope, confidence, and positivity. She starts her days feeling more optimistic and grateful and finds solace in her gratitude journal, which helps her focus on the good things in her life, even on difficult days.