BRAINTREE -- The 2016 Catholic Appeal will be announced in parishes of the Archdiocese of Boston this weekend, February 27-28. Commitment weekend takes place the following weekend, March 5-6. The Catholic Appeal helps to support our parishes, schools, and ministries.

In his annual message, Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley said, "Pope Francis in calling for this Jubilee of Mercy reminds us: we constantly need to contemplate the mystery of mercy. It is a wellspring of joy, serenity, and peace. Our salvation depends on it."

The cardinal added, "We perform the works of mercy both as individuals and as a community of faith. During the season of Lent, we call upon our Catholic people to make sacrifices for the annual Appeal, which is the financial support for the works of mercy and evangelization that the Church carries on in Christ's name as his disciples. May this holy season of Lent allow us to experience the joy and liberation that God's mercy brings, and may we learn to be instruments of mercy and messengers of God's love and compassion in our weary world."

Kathleen Driscoll, secretary for Institutional Advancement, said, "Because of the wonderful generosity of our Catholic faithful we are able to maintain our commitment to support parish life, our ministries, and educational programs that are essential in the life of the Church." Driscoll noted that appeal contributions in our parishes have grown by 23 percent over the last three years while the number of donors has increased by 24 percent.

The Catholic Appeal supports ministry and programs in 289 parishes and 116 schools.

Cardinal Seán will launch the Appeal celebrating Mass in the following parishes:

Saturday, March 5 -- Immaculate Conception, Marlborough 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 6 -- St. Paul, Hingham 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, March 6 -- St. Thomas Aquinas, Bridgewater 12:00 p.m.

Vicar General Bishop Peter J. Uglietto and Moderator of the Curia will also launch the appeal Sunday, March 6 at St. Mary of the Annunciation, Melrose celebrating the 11:30 a.m. Mass.

"As stewards of the Church entrusted to us by Christ, we have a great opportunity to support the good works of mercy happening all across the Archdiocese," Bishop Uglietto said.

"We are most excited at the steady progress being made with the implementation of Disciples in Mission, the pastoral plan for the Archdiocese. In this effort we are setting a solid course of mission and ministry for the future," he added.