Collections & Appeals
The Mission Office coordinates a number of appeals, including six major diocesan efforts, as well as an appeal for the Holy Childhood Association. The office also sends Masses to missionaries in other countries and to priests in the Diocese and across the United States. Other appeals include Lenten, summer, or Opas Sancti Petri, which helps the novitiate and seminarians in foreign countries, and Christmas.
The Mission Cooperation Plan
Through this program, the Mission Office directs missionaries to visit diocesan parishes once a year to discuss conditions in their countries and seek donations. Hundreds of requests are received, and 31 missionary groups are selected each year. Funds raised are forwarded through the Mission Office to the groups.
Home Missions of the Americas’ Appeal
This appeal helps missions in the United States and Latin America, including blacks, Native Americans and Hispanics. Some of the proceeds, as well as yearly Masses, are sent to our sister diocese of Sicuani, Peru.
American Bishops Overseas Appeal
Catholic Relief Services, the Holy Father’s Relief Fund and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ departments of Migration and Refugee Services and Justice, Peace and Human Development are among the Catholic service agencies that benefit from this appeal. Last year, U.S. Catholics contributed more than $12 million to support these agencies’ efforts to help the needy and suffering throughout the world.
Operation Rice Bowl
Catholic Relief Services’ Operation Rice Bowl raises funds for projects locally and around the world that improve people’s ability to access food. In addition to collecting alms in the home during Lent, the faithful are also asked to fast in solidarity with the hungry and to learn about the challenges of poverty around the world. Twenty-five percent of funds collected remain in the diocese for local hunger relief efforts.
Eastern European Appeal
This appeal is intended to help restore religious orders and re-institute religious education after years of oppression and persecution in Eastern and Central European countries such as Croatia.
Mission Sunday
Support of this appeal is crucial to the development of the Catholic Church in the United States. Mission Sunday is celebrated worldwide as an occasion for missionary catechesis and for fostering a deeper spirit of universal mission. More than two-thirds of the world’s people have not yet heard the word of God.
Learn more about National Collections sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
