BRAINTREE -- Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley has announced the launch of the 2013 Catholic Appeal next weekend, March 2 and 3, in parishes across the Archdiocese of Boston.

The Catholic Appeal is the primary philanthropic funding effort supporting the work of the Church in the Archdiocese of Boston. Through the Appeal, Catholics help sustain the vital programs and services provided through 50 ministries serving our 288 parishes in 144 cities and towns, 121 Catholic elementary and secondary schools, and thousands of Catholics of all ages in many life circumstances.

This year's theme "There is a Good Samaritan in Each One of Us" offers an invitation during the season of Lent to consider the ways in which Catholics can embrace the example of the Good Samaritan and care for those in need.

Reflecting on the upcoming launch of the 2013 Appeal, Cardinal O'Malley said, "The Appeal is about helping others--helping the 7,000 adults participating in the wonderful program, Why Catholic?, helping Sister Marian Batho and the 2,000 religious brothers and sisters whom she serves in her role as Director of the Delegate for Religious, and the more than 113,000 young people growing in their faith through religious education classes throughout our archdiocese. These and so many other valuable programs and services geared toward meeting material and spiritual needs of our people are what the Appeal makes possible."

He added, "This year's annual Archdiocesan Appeal calls us all to be Good Samaritans by generously living out the great commandment of love of God and love of neighbor. In this Year of Faith, we are called upon more than ever, to put our faith into action and help those in our community who are in need and who count on us for support."

The archdiocese reports it raised $14.2 million in the 2012 Catholic Appeal, 101 percent of the 2012 goal. The success is credited to strong leadership and support of the Pastors Advisory Committee, a lay volunteer Appeal committee, pastors, and a growing number of Parish Appeal Coordinators.

Catherine Rein, Parish Appeal Coordinator at St. Ann by the Sea in Marshfield, said, "The Catholic Appeal strengthened and unified our parish, as we came together to support the rich resource we have in the larger Church of Boston, and its tireless effort to bring the love of Jesus Christ to every facet of the archdiocese."

Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia Bishop Robert P. Deeley will be celebrating Mass to launch the 2013 Catholic Appeal in the following parishes:

-- Saturday, Feb. 23, 4:00 p.m. Mass at St. Julia Parish, 374 Boston Post Road, Weston;

-- Saturday, March 2, 4:30 p.m. Mass, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish at St. Ann's Church, 208 Samoset Avenue, Hull;

-- Sunday, March 3, 10 a.m. Mass at St. Rita Parish, 158 Mammoth Road, Lowell.

Catholics in the archdiocese are encouraged to visit the Appeal's website at www.BostonCatholicAppeal.org to make an online pledge and learn more about the important programs and ministries supported by the Catholic Appeal.