It is that time of year again – the Diocese of Brooklyn’s annual Catholic Appeal. And you don’t just have to take our word for it; you’ll see it in this week’s Tablet too, along with an editorial on the appeal by Bishop DiMarzio.

Each year, the bishop launches this special fundraising effort, asking the people in the pews to give something extra to help support a wide range of programs. Last year, the Appeal raised $10.7 million dollars.

And this weekend, the diocese will launch the 2011 appeal. To hear more about it, we went to someone who is a familiar face to NET viewers: Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, who is not only a co-host of the NET’s food show “Breaking Bread” – he’s also the Brooklyn Diocese Vicar for Development. He spoke with our Nathalia Ortiz.