Note: This story was updated July 22.
As of July 22, contributions to the 2019 Bishop’s Annual Appeal have reached $1,008,445 in gifts and pledges. A total of 6,838 people have donated, with an average gift of $147.28 per donor.
“The Diocese of St. Cloud is truly grateful to benefit from the contributions of a committed and generous community,” said Anna Kampa, associate in the Office of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of St. Cloud.
The 2019 appeal, which launched in February, has a goal of $1.3 million. The Bishop’s Annual Appeal raises funds that support vital ministries throughout the 16 counties of the diocese.
“Funds received through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal are essential to the functioning of diocesan ministries that impact the daily spiritual lives of people in our parishes,” Kampa said.
The appeal supports spiritual growth, sacraments and healing for tens of thousands of people across the diocese including students in faith formation classes and Catholic schools, couples, parents, families and those healing from divorce.
Educators, marriage and family life, vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life also benefit, as well as pastors, parish staff and volunteers. The televised Mass for the homebound and The Central Minnesota Catholic Magazine receive monies through the appeal.
“These ministries would not be possible without the participation of the faithful in our diocese,” Kampa said.
In April, pastors received a letter from Bishop Donald Kettler detailing the number of current donors, participation percentage, gift total, goal and goal percentage for their individual parish to help promote the appeal.
“These ministries help me, and you, to meet the needs of all God’s people,” Bishop Kettler wrote in the letter.
Donors who contributed in the past but had not yet made a gift this year received a second request in mid-May.
Gifts can be made online at http://development.stcdio.org/bishops-annual-appeal. Click on “Click here to Give a Gift.” Or mail gifts to Bishop’s Annual Appeal, P.O. Box 1538, St. Cloud, MN 56302-1538.