Share the Light of Christ.

That's the theme of this year's Bishop's Annual Appeal, and for good reason.Pamela J. Russo, secretary for Catholic Human Services and executive director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Allentown, spoke about the Bishop's Annual Appeal at masses held recently at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palmerton.Russo thanked the pastor, the Rev. William T. Campion, and the parishioners of Sacred Heart, for their generous support of the appeal over the years."The parishioners of Sacred Heart have always answered our calls for help, and I am deeply grateful for your sacrifices," Russo said.Catholic Human Services receive the greatest portion of the Bishop's Annual Appeal, said Russo, who said the funds help to support Catholic Charities, Catholic Health Care and many other charitable ministries.Russo then spoke of the direct impact the Bishop's Annual Appeal has on the poorest and most vulnerable people in the diocese."At Catholic Charities, your financial support helped us provide a critical safety net to thousands of people in need," she said.In 2014, Catholic Charities touched the lives of more than 22,000 men, women and children across the five counties of the diocese with programs such as counseling, housing, pregnancy and parenting support services, ecumenical soup kitchen, services for older adults, and supportive services for veterans and adult day care.Russo said "many of the people who seek our help are struggling with hunger, homelessness, job loss and illness."Many come to us broken and without hope imprisoned by pain and suffering," she said. "Your support through the Bishop's Annual Appeal helps us provide help and create hope."In Carbon County, Catholic Charities provides services out of St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Lansford, Russo said."For anyone unable to come to us, staff travels throughout the county to provide crucial social services" she said.Besides the programs of Catholic Charities, the Bishop's Annual Appeal also provides for the care of retired and infirm priests, education of students at Special Learning Centers, training and education of seminarians and other ministries throughout the diocese, Russo said."This year's theme, Share the Light of Christ, calls for us to be Christ's hands by sharing his message of hope and performing charitable works to help the least among us," she said. "As a community of faith, we can help bring light and hope to those in need by supporting the Appeal."Russo closed by asking all in attendance to keep the clients of Catholic Charities in their prayers so "that they will find hope through Christ's love and the courage to face their daily struggles."The goal of the 2015 Bishop's Annual Appeal is $5 million.For more information about Catholic Charities, or how to support the Bishop's Annual Appeal, contact Russo at 610-435-1541, visit

www.2015baa.org, or

www.allentowndiocese.org.