100% of all the money raised is restricted to serve the objectives, programs, and mission supported by the Catholic Ministries Appeal. Touching each of our 133 parishes and more than 600,000 people each year, together we are creating pathways to faith for so many in our community. Some of the areas include:
• Religious education for hundreds of thousands of students
• Affordable and safe housing for seniors, veterans and adults with mental and physical disabilities
• Food programs for seniors, low-income families and women and their children
• Youth, Campus and Young Adult Ministries
• Priests’, Deacons’ and lay leaders’ education and formation
• Faith Formation, including Baptismal Preparation, Pre-Cana and RCIA programs
• Hospital ministry to those who are ill and their families
• Prison Ministry
• Substance abuse services and day treatment programs
• Catholic Diversity Initiatives
There is no organization or body on Long Island that provides the breadth and depth of spiritual and social services to so many individuals and families as the Catholic Church.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS MY GIFT MAY BE USED?
Gifts are used to live and share our faith, care for God’s people and help to build God’s Kingdom. For example, a gift of:
• $25 may help pay the gas for a Meals-On-Wheels van to deliver food for a day.
• $50 may help pay for teaching materials for a volunteer Catechist.
• $100 may help care for a newborn in the Catholic Charities Regina Residence.
• $250 may help subsidize housing for a developmentally disabled adult.
• $1,000 may help support the formation of our Seminarians.
HOW IS OUR PARISH GOAL SET?
An advisory committee of Pastors recommends the CMA goal formula by which parish goals are set. The formula for each parish is based on recent average offertory figures and the Consumer Price Index.
WHY DOES THE CHURCH NEED MY MONEY?
Many important ministries and services are beyond the resource of any one parish. It would be impossible for an individual parish to duplicate the scope of ministries and services provided by the Diocese. In the same way as our own households require steady income, our Church needs funds to keep vital programs open and operating and to create new programs and services.
HOW CAN YOU ASK FOR MONEY WHEN MANY MAY BE STRUGGLING AND WORRIED ABOUT FINANCES?
Although overall economic conditions are improving, underemployment, hunger and homelessness continue to plague many residents of our Long Island Community. Also, the high cost of housing, particularly on the East End, has put a big burden on local residents. Programs supported by the Catholic Ministries Appeal are valuable resources to these families and individuals. Every gift counts no matter the amount!
WHY SHOULD I GIVE TO THE APPEAL?
“We must always walk in the presence of the Lord; in the light of the Lord…those who walk in the light have a presence of God inside them…” Pope Francis calls us to receive and give Christ’s mercy so we become Hands of Mercy to those in need. Your gift to the Catholic Ministries Appeal will extend Christ’s mercy throughout our Long Island Community and our Universal Church.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE?
Every gift, no matter the size, helps make a difference. Only you can decide your gift size. Prayerfully consider an amount that you can afford to give each month. Pledging allows you to make a larger-sized gift without stretching your monthly budget. Whatever your gift, we appreciate your contribution. In 2017, the average gift to the Catholic Ministries Appeal was $265.
I’D RATHER GIVE DIRECTLY TO MY PARISH OR PASTOR THAN TO THE CMA.
Through the Catholic Ministries Appeal, all parishes unite and become the instruments of God’s love as we support and sustain the essential programs and services which educate the young, care for our seniors, feed the hungry, and strengthen our Catholic faith in our homes, parishes and communities within our wider Long Island community.
Additionally, the CMA gives back a share of the donated funds to individual parishes. Parishes that meet their Appeal goals receive rebates that can be used at their discretion. Some parishes use the rebate for general operating expenses; others make special purchases, such as choir robes, altar linens, or capital improvements, such as doors, lighting and public address systems. Last year parishes received back more than 2-million dollars in rebates. When giving to the Appeal, donors are simultaneously giving to their parish and to others in need in our shared faith community.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE FINANCIAL REPORTS OF THE DIOCESE?
Diocesan financial reports can be found at www.drvc.org. The online reports identify where and how monies are spent.
CAN I MAKE A GIFT OF STOCK OR SECURITIES?
Appreciated securities can help donors make larger gifts to the Appeal. These gifts are most welcome and can provide significant tax advantages to the donor. Contact the Appeal Office at (516) 678-5800 Ext. 296 for written instructions or call your CMA representative directly.
CAN I MAKE THE DIOCESE OR MY PARISH A BENEFICIARY IN MY WILL?
Yes. This type of gift is deeply appreciated. To explore specific options, please call (516) 678-5800 ext. 296 for more information.
CAN I USE A CREDIT CARD TO MAKE PAYMENTS?
Yes. Make your credit card payment via our secure, online donation page at CatholicMinistriesAppeal.org or call the CMA office (516) 678-5800 Ext. 296. Credit card payments can be made monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually.
CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THE NEW IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER?
If you are at least 70 1/2 years old on the date you make your gift and your IRA is a traditional or Roth, you can transfer up to $100,000 per year from your IRA to charity – without incurring income taxes today or estate tax in the future. Call (516) 678-5800 Ext. 257 for more information.