Photo Credits: Sid Hasting for the St. Louis ReviewAs 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 JohnstonAnnual 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 Johnstonprison, 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 WiegandCatholic Charities
$1,500,000Respect 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 WiegandSpecial Education
$300,000Newman 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