At the Maryhill Renewal Center, the Catholic Charities of Central Louisiana hosted a Lundi Gras celebration with a fundraising goal of $10,000. The Mardi Gras Clergy Waiter Dinner incorporated fine dining and a silent auction with proceeds helping members of the clergy from the Catholic Diocese of Alexandria volunteer at the dinner.
Proceeds for the silent auction will be directed to mental health services, disaster relief funds, and basic emergency aid. There was an added incentive to encourage the community to come together in unity to support those in need rather than solely focusing on raising funds.
Catholic charities: Supporting mental health and emergency aid
Bid wars helped surpass the estimated donation of $10,000 at the event. Money raised during the silent auction will help aid in providing much-needed support for mental health issues, disaster relief for families affected by natural disasters, and emergency support in the form of food, shelter, and clothing to families in need.
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Bishop Robert Marshall, Jr. elaborated on his point by talking about the service aspect of the event.
“We care for our brothers and sisters. It is almost impossible to evangelize to a hungry, homeless, or troubled individual. For them to witness a loving Christ, it is vital that they see his compassion through our work first,” he stated.
Generosity that fuels hope
Donations to the event were in cash and were intended to help families, businesses, and individuals show selflessness. It was not only a fundraiser but a demonstration of generosity.
The Catholic Diocese of Alexandria hopes this initiative assists and continues to motivate goodwill throughout the year.
Thanks to community support, the diocese, along with Catholic Charities of Central Louisiana, continues to a crisis and aid the most needy. For those who wish to aid but cannot attend, donations may be made through the website.