— For two years, Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan has worked to become the Archdiocese of Detroit’s principal means of administering the Church’s charitable works of mercy in Metro Detroit.

And after successfully combining five county-based social service agencies in 2013 and providing care and comfort in the form of adoption and foster care services, counseling, senior care, refugee resettlement and numerous other forms of aid, last year it was able to assist nearly 15,000 local residents in need.

In an effort to continue that momentum, the first archdiocese-wide collection for CCSEM will take place in parishes Nov. 22-23.

In his latest “Sharing the Light” communication to parishioners Nov. 6, Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron said the collection would help CCSEM “maintain and improve its programs and services.”

“All CCSEM services center on the dignity of the person and strengthening the family with a commitment to accompany all through their personal trials,” the archbishop said. “Efforts continue to connect CCSEM with pastors, parishes, vicariates, church ministries, and other Catholic charitable organizations to provide collaborative and coordinated assistance.”

The collection for Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan will take the place of a national collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in the Archdiocese of Detroit, which is usually held the weekend before Thanksgiving. The archdiocese is opting to use the local collection instead in part because 100 percent of the funds will be used to aid those in need in Metro Detroit.

In addition to the new yearly collection, CCSEM’s annual $8 million operating budget is also funded through grants and contracts — worth an estimated $3.2 million this year — as well as fundraisers, charitable gifts and fees for certain services based on clients’ ability to pay.

Among its operating expenses are the salaries of nearly 160 staff members, as well as costs to administer its various programs and services. Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan also supports nearly 175 parish-based Christian service coordinators and 170 parish nurses throughout the archdiocese, and has hundreds of volunteers in various roles.

Among CCSEM’s other ministries are Project Hope pregnancy support services and Hispanic ministry outreach in Detroit, as well as professional, accredited therapy for families suffering with mental or behavioral challenges.

In his letter, Archbishop Vigneron encouraged parishioners to consider referring loved ones or neighbors who might benefit from CCSEM’s programs and services, and to consider an offering during the collection.

“Those who give of themselves in this way enjoy a spiritual reciprocation with those being helped, for they receive the privilege of giving of themselves in the Lord’s name,” he said.

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Sharing the Light

To read Archbishop Vigneron’s “Sharing the Light” communication on Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, including a Q&A series, visit www.aod.org/sharingthelight/CCSEM. To learn more, visit www.ccsem.org.