Archdiocesan news

Annual Catholic Appeal invites Catholics to generously support ministries as ‘brothers and sisters all’

Appeal runs April 23-May 8, with a goal of $15 million

Photo Credits: Sid Hasting for the St. Louis Review

As the 2022 Annual Catholic Appeal kicks off in parishes across the archdiocese April 23-24, Catholics are called to consider how they might generously support the work of the Church and enter into the unity of the human family as “Brothers and Sisters All.”

This year’s theme comes from Pope Francis’ encyclical “Fratelli tutti: On fraternity and social friendship:” “Let us dream, then, as one single human family, as fellow travelers sharing the same flesh … each of us with his or her own voice, brothers and sisters all.”

The appeal will be conducted in parishes the weekends of April 23-24, April 30-May 1 and May 7-8, with a goal of $15 million.

“There’s a quote in the encyclical that says, ‘Those in need of God’s help are not strangers; they are family,’” said Dr. Michael Conoyer, this year’s appeal chairman. “That’s really the heart of why we do the

Photo Credits: Lisa Johnston

Annual Catholic Appeal.”

The appeal supports a wide range of programs and ministries that are essential to so many people — both Catholic and non-Catholic — throughout the St. Louis Archdiocese.

Contributions to the ACA directly support:

Catholic education, including elementary and high schools, tuition assistance, special education, college Newman Centers and continuing education for priests and deacons;

Ministries promoting human dignity and social responsibility, including the work of Catholic Charities’ eight federated agencies, parish food pantries, help for immigrants and refugees, ministry to those in

Photo Credits: Lisa Johnston

prison, and education and outreach promoting the respect of all human life;

Missionary discipleship and leadership efforts, including vocations programs, natural family planning, adult faith formation, youth and young adult ministry, and Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.

Catholics are “called as God’s people to take responsibility for the Church, to further the mission of Jesus in our world,” Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski said. “We are Jesus’ eyes and ears and hands and feet in continuing that mission.”

“Each one of us, whether we are donating to the Annual Catholic Appeal, whether we are one of the recipients of the many services of the Annual Catholic Appeal, we’re finding Jesus Christ in one way or another,” Archbishop Rozanski said. “In giving and receiving, we truly are brothers and sisters in the Lord.”

The appeal also puts the three guiding principles of the archdiocesan strategic pastoral planning initiative All Things New — intentional stewardship, unceasing prayer and a unifying vision for evangelization — into action, Conoyer said.

“We are given talents and gifts to be stewards and share them with others. Prayer is a very necessary component of anything we do as God’s children,” he said. “And when we come together to serve others, in the name of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church — which is what the Annual Catholic Appeal does — it makes us visible in the general community in a way that is truly evangelistic.”


>> How to donate

The financial goal of the 2022 Annual Catholic Appeal is $15 million. Approximately 91 cents of every dollar raised goes back into the community in the form of direct services. The appeal will be conducted in most parishes the weekends of April 23-24, April 30-May 1 and May 7-8. To learn more about the Annual Catholic Appeal or donate online, visit aca.archstl.org.

HUMAN DIGNITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Photo Credits: Jacob Wiegand

Catholic Charities $1,500,000

Respect Life, Family and Social Responsibility $450,000

Regina Cleri Priests Retirement Home $418,000

Hispanic Ministry $200,000

Office of Peace and Justice $140,000

Rural Parish Clinic $125,000

Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service $125,000

Our Lady of Guadalupe Convent $100,000

Criminal Justice Ministry $85,000

Office of Racial Harmony $65,000

Parish Food Pantries $50,000

Immigrant and Refugee Support $40,000

Archbishop’s Charity Fund $30,000

Peter and Paul Community Services, Shelter at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish $15,000

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Elementary School Assistance $2,000,000

Archdiocesan and Parochial High Schools $1,410,000

Continuing Formation for Priests $440,000

Photo Credits: Jacob Wiegand

Special Education $300,000

Newman Centers on College Campuses $267,000

Today and Tomorrow Educational Fund $150,000

Permanent Diaconate $100,000

One Classroom $20,000

MISSIONARY DISCIPLESHIP

Care for Active and Retired Priests $860,000

Adult Faith Formation $335,000

Catholic Deaf Ministry $110,000

St. Charles Lwanga Center $100,000

Catholic St. Louis Magazine $80,000

Catholic Renewal Center $60,000

Basilica of St. Louis, King of France $50,000

Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis $50,000

Rural Parish Workers $50,000

Messengers of Peace Mission Work $25,000

CULTURE OF LEADERSHIP

Archdiocesan Seminary $525,000

Evangelization and Discipleship $425,000

Stewardship and Development Support for Parishes, Schools and Agencies $400,000

Vocation Programs $380,000

Natural Family Planning $210,000

Religious Formation $200,000

Parish Emergency Assistance Fund $100,000

Elementary Teachers Educational Fund $75,000

High School Stewardship Essay Program $55,000

Office of Youth Ministry $20,000

Support for Religious Orders $10,000

OTHER

Annual Catholic Appeal Expenses $1,500,000

Reserve for Unpaid Pledges $900,000

Archdiocesan Services $450,000


>> Your impact

Read more about the people and ministries who directly benefit from the Annual Catholic Appeal in Catholic St. Louis magazine: https://stlreview.com/3EplVcO

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