What is the Catholic Ministries Appeal and what does it support?

The Catholic Ministries Appeal is an opportunity for every Catholic in our Church community to come together and share our one faith, one hope and many gifts for the service of God.  Funds raised goes to support the five ministries of the Appeal: 

1. Catholic Charities
2. Education
3. Formation
4. Pastoral Outreach
5. Parishes

Did you know that last year because of the Catholic Ministries

Appeal . . .

• more than 500,000 meals were delivered or served to senior citizens- safe and affordable housing is provided to people in our community with 15 senior housing facilities with more than 1,200 affordable apartments.
• ninety-nine percent of all our diocesan high school graduates go on to college.
• parish outreach centers, including food pantries, have seen a 25 percent increase in demand, and provided direct services to more than 17,000 individuals and families every month.
• the Office of Hospital Ministry served more that 300,000 people in local hospitals.
• more than 110,000 of our children in public schools are taught religious education by our 17,000 volunteer Catechists.
• in 133 Parishes, more than 17,000 Baptisms, 17,000 First Communions, 19,000 Confirmations and 3,000 weddings were celebrated.
• over the past two years, 17 men were ordained to the priesthood after attending the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington.

Will you accept other forms of gifts besides a check?

You may pledge and be billed monthly for a ten month period.  Gifts of appreciated securities are another way for you to make a significant contribution at a reduced cost to you.  Federal tax laws allow a charitable deduction for the full market value of securities on the date of your gift.  The Catholic Ministries Appeal also offers you the opportunity to make a secure gift online using Amex, Discover, MasterCard or Visa.

Is my name shared with any other companies or ministries?
Absolutely not! The database which is maintained by the Office of Institutional Advancement in not shared, sold or communicated with any way with any other  entity including other Diocesan departments. 

Does my Parish benefit in any way from the Appeal?
Resources contributed to the CMA are distributed in a way that allows our Catholic faith to be lived and shared throughout our 133 communities.  Parishes that reach goal receive a 20 percent rebate and any paid gifts raised over that goal generate an 80 percent rebate to parishes on those gifts.  Our parishes use their rebates to support Parish Outreach programs, develop special programs for the community, or to help maintain their physical structures. 

I have a neighbor who is a member of something called the “Council

of Stewards”; what is that and how could I become a member?
The Council of Stewards is an honorary society of concerned men and women that was established in 1986.  The Council provides encouragement and advice to our Bishop through the submission of suggestions by direct correspondence or, if inclined, by serving on an advisory committee.  The Council also assists in the Diocese through sacrificial support at a minimum level of $5,000. 

If I have questions whom can I call?
We welcome your questions and suggestions.  Please call us at 516-379-5210 ext 229 or email us at cmanews@drvc.org

Updated: June 4, 2010