As a Church, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. This fraternal bond calls us to come to the aid of others in their times of need and also through daily life.

The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World explains that “everyone must consider his every neighbor without exception as another self …" and that “(i)n our times a special obligation binds us to make ourselves the neighbor of every person without exception and of actively helping him when he comes across our path” (Gaudium et Spes, 27).

Among the ways we can express fraternal charity is through our generosity to the Annual Catholic Appeal, which supports the missions of dozens of organizations and programs (including this magazine) that touch countless lives across the archdiocese.

Our charity becomes perpetual when we live as brothers and sisters in Christ. Without our generosity — without charity in our hearts — these important ministries wouldn’t have the tremendous impact they do. Your support of the Annual Catholic Appeal demonstrates a faithful willingness to recognize our neighbors as sisters and brothers — as other selves.

This issue of Catholic St. Louis explores a few of the ways our generosity helps the appeal honor our fraternal bond that is rooted in Christ Himself. The stories showcase how our willingness to offer our treasure in His honor demonstrates living as brothers, sisters and neighbors.

Please prayerfully consider how you’ll be generous to the Annual Catholic Appeal. It’s our call to charity to our brothers and sisters throughout the Archdiocese of St. Louis.