(January, 2005) The generosity of the Catholic community, in fact the community at large, was never more apparent than during the recent Tsunami relief efforts. As we head into our 2005 Campaign we are counting on that same spirit of generosity to help those in need in and around our own community. From the young parent to the recovering alcoholic, the lonely senior to the family in crisis – people in our community are relying on ShareLife for help. We can only provide that help with your help. Our overall goal this year is $13.5 million, with $11.3 million hopefully coming from the Parish Campaign. Our campaign theme this year is from the bible: "…for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). We thank you for your ongoing support and generosity and for helping us ShareLife.

(March, 2005) A big reminder that ShareLife Sunday is this weekend, March 13!! In a testament to God's love within us, many of you have been very generous in helping those affected by disaster in the global community so far this year. But as we head into ShareLife Sunday, we are reminded of the sad fact that many people in our own community need our help desperately. From the young parent to the recovering alcoholic, the lonely senior to the family in crisis -- people in our community are relying on ShareLife for help. And we can only provide that help with your generosity. Our overall goal this year is $13.5 million, with $11.3 million hopefully coming from the Parish Campaign. Our campaign theme this year is from the bible: "……for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). We thank you for your ongoing support in sharing life.

(May, 2005) Get ready to walk for ShareLife. This year, you'll have three chances to do it. the main ShareLife Walk has been set for Sunday, June 5, 2005 at High Park in Toronto. As usual, a fun time will be had by all with activities for young and old alike. You don't need to be a marathoner, just willing to do your best to complete the 5km trek to raise money for ShareLife. It all gets under way at 2:30 p.m. On the same date, we'll be holding a walk in the Simcoe region, while another ShareLife Walk will take place on June 12th in Mississauga.

(June, 2005) A fun time was had by all at the ShareLife Walk at High Park in early June – and it was all for a good cause. In all, about 500 people participated in the Toronto. On the same day, we also held a walk in Simcoe region, while another walk was held June 12th in Mississauga. Amid the fun, we handed out prizes to participants in various categories. All winners were given tickets to the August 20, 2005 Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles game. The main winners were:

• Highest Group Amount collected is Good Shepherd Parish, Thornhill. They received 14 tickets.
• Highest Family Amount collected: Tina & Debbie Read of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Oshawa. They won 6 tickets.
• Highest Single Amount collected: Vivian Pereira of St. Anne's Parish, Brampton. Vivian received 6 tickets.
• We also gave 4 tickets to Christine Lumilan for her endurance in completing the walk.

We want to thank Mr. David Breech, chairman of the ShareLife Walk, for donating the tickets for the prizes. Now we just have to hope the Jays win. Thanks to all who participated and who helped make this event a success.

(Summer, 2005) We are pleased to announce that you have helped us raise a record amount this year for those in need in and around our community. Overall, we raised a record $13.4 million by the end of our campaign on July 31, 2005. That total includes $11.03 million raised in the parishes. This is a wonderful accomplishment and on behalf of the over 100,000 people that are served each year, we thank you for your generosity. Know that when you support ShareLife over 90-cents of every dollar raised goes directly to the people in need through our agencies. But just because our latest campaign is over, doesn’t mean there still is not a need. You can continue to support those in need by donating on-line by clicking here.

(September 1, 2005) ShareLife will channel funds to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. Funds collected will be sent to Catholic Charities USA who are working to facilitate humanitarian relief to the affected regions both in the short and long term. For more information, click here to access ShareLife's Media Release regarding Hurricane Katrina. Click here to donate to the relief fund. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected by this tragedy.

The recent hurricanes in the Caribbean have caused considerable damage and loss of life. ShareLife will channel funds from parishes to our international partners in the affected region. The rebuilding efforts will continue for years to come.

It is estimated that over 1 million people in Sudan have been displaced from their homes, living in camps near their burned out villages. Partners are working to provide the basic necessities of life in light of this tragedy.

During this time of unrest and uncertainty, we join together in offering our prayers as well as a tangible response to our brothers and sisters in need.

(October 11, 2005) ShareLife has announced that it will channel funds for victims of the October 8th earthquake, affecting South Asia, including Pakistan, Afghanistan and northern India. If you would like to contribute to the relief efforts, you can make a secure online donation.

We will also channel funds to the victims of Hurricane Stan, including those affected in El Salvador and Guatemala. Our agency, the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace (CCODP) has already made a $200,000 donation to ongoing relief efforts in the region.

We continue to offer our thoughts and prayers for all those affected by these disasters. Thank you for your ongoing support.

(November, 2005) Next year marks ShareLife’s 30th anniversary of caring and sharing and we've already begun work on that campaign. As we are in the early stages, let us know if you have any thoughts or ideas about what we can do to raise awareness and much-needed funds. You can send us your ideas at slife@archtoronto.org.

ShareLife has added another agency to the list of organizations that it supports. That brings to 34 the number of agencies we help on a regular basis. The newest addition is Vita Manor, a Catholic agency working in partnership with the Peel community to provide pregnant women and their children with opportunities to enhance their well-being, build their families and live to their fullest potential. You can find out more about Vita Manor by visiting their web site at www.vitamanor.org.

ShareLife has welcomed a new agency into our family, bringing the number to 34. We now support Pelletier Homes For Youth, which operates one group home and six foster care residences which serve 27 young women between the ages of 12 and 18. These youth turn to Pelletier to escape serious difficulties such as abuse. They face barriers to self-sufficiency, including emotional problems, low education, truancy, substance abuse and poverty.

Keep your eyes and ears open for the new ShareLife radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs). Both the print and radio PSA's have been distributed to local media. We've asked them to generously donate space and time for these ads. Media have been very generous in the past with outlets such as OMNI TV, 97.3 EZ Rock, 1010 CFRB and CHUM-FM airing our broadcast PSAs. Let us know where else you see or hear them so that we can recognize and thank the media for their generosity and support.

Looking for more comprehensive information on stewardship and estate planning? Take the time to stop by the Archdiocese of Toronto's Office of Stewardship Development website. Visit www.StewardshipToronto.org to get the latest news and learn more about how you can make stewardship... a way of life!

We've put together some great photos from ShareLife events and now you can access them directly from our website. Check out the ShareLife Photo Album and see ShareLife hard at work in the community. If you have a photo of your parish or community ShareLife event, send us a copy and we'll include it in the photo album. Just another way to make sharing ... a way of life!

We’re grateful for the outpouring of generosity from the Catholic community that continues in the wake of devastating natural disasters. More than $360,000 has been raised to support those affected by the South Asian Earthquake and Hurricane Stan. Working with our Caritas International partners, we will be present in both the short and long term. Projects that will continue through 2008 have already been identified by Caritas workers in the region. The October 8th earthquake took the lives of more than 70,000 people with hundreds of thousands left homeless. Hurricane Stan battered Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala leaving families displaced from their relatives and possessions.

For additional information on how donations are being utilized in the wake of these natural disasters, click here to visit the website for the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace, a ShareLife agency and Canadian member of Caritas International. You’ll find updates regarding both disasters, with questions and answers about how your funds will be used to maximize their impact. Thanks to all those who have given generously to support the relief efforts. We continue to offer our prayers for all those affected by these tragedies.

ShareLife has collected more than $750,000 to assist relief efforts underway in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Funds collected will be channelled through Catholic Charities USA. This organization has a long standing tradition of working with local Catholic Charities offices to offer both short and long term assistance. If you’d like more information on how your donations are making a difference, visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org  . You’ll get the latest updates regarding ongoing relief efforts in the affected region. Thanks to all those who continue to reach out to those struggling during these most difficult times. Our prayers are with those who have lost so much – may God give you strength to see the light through the darkness.

We are pleased to announce that you have helped us raise a record amount this year for those in need in and around our community. Overall, we raised a record $13.4 million by the end of our campaign on July 31, 2005. That total includes $11.03 million raised in the parishes. This is a wonderful accomplishment and on behalf of the over 100,000 people that are served each year, we thank you for your generosity. Know that when you support ShareLife over 90-cents of every dollar raised goes directly to the people in need through our agencies. But just because our latest campaign is over, doesn’t mean there still is not a need.