Why Should I Give to the Bishop's Appeal?
Why Should I Give to the Bishop's Appeal?
The word “Catholic” means “universal,” and our faith cares for all our sisters and brothers regardless of the parish in which they worship. One should give to the Appeal because there are certain ministries and services that cannot be provided by a parish, but only by a diocese. Can a parish recruit, educate, and form seminarians? Can a parish pay for a pension and needed medical care for our retired clergy? Can a parish support a diaconate program and ethnic ministries? Can a parish support schools and other parishes facing financial distress or an unexpected emergency? Some people may say that as long as we support our parish, we should not be concerned with the needs of other parishes, schools, recruitment, education and formation of our future clergy, and forming our youth and young adults in our faith beyond our own parish. Through the Bishop’s Appeal, the diocese is able to carry out these ministries which is only possible through the generosity of our parishioners. Below are the various programs and ministries funded through the Bishop’s Appeal:
Faith & Formation
Diocesan pastoral ministries and services focus on strengthening our faith, our families, and building up our parish communities by engag- ing people in the daily life of the Church as they strive to live as faithful disciples of Christ.
• Liturgy
• Respect Life Justice Programs
• Vietnamese, Filipino & Latino Ministries
• Stewardship Education
• Ethnic Pastoral Centers
• Marriage & Family Life Ministries
• Marriage Preparation Programs
• Youth Retreat Center
• Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Programs
• Catholic Scouting
• Young Adult Ministries
• Children & Youth Ministries
Religious Education & Formation
Gifts to the appeal help support religious education and formation programs for thousands of youth and adults annually.
• Faith Formation Programs
• Evangelization & Outreach Efforts
• RCIA
• Religious Education Teachers’ Training
• Serra Catechetical Institute
• St. Francis de Sales School for Pastoral Ministry
Clergy Formation & Support
From initial formation into retirement, the Diocese provides support for our priests. Additionally continued updating and renewal for priests and deacons who faithfully serve our people is supported by your gift to the Bishop’s Appeal.
• Permanent Diaconate Program
• Office of Vocations
• Seminarian Education & Formation
• Priest Retirement & Long-term Care
• Continuing Education Programs
Support for Catholic Schools & Parishes in Need
Each year, the Diocese provides subsidies and grants to assist with operating expenses at inner- city Catholic schools, and for parishes facing extraordinary and immediate financial challenges.
• Operating Subsidies
• Capital Expenditure Grants
• Emergency Funding Support
Assisting Local Parishes
Every parish has its own needs and plans for growth and new ministries to better serve their parishioners’ and the local community. The Bishop’s Appeal will again return 100% of all monies collected over each individual parish’s goal for use at the parish level.
Safe Environment Programs
Providing a safe haven for children, young adults and vulnerable adults.
