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The Permanent Diaconate Formation Program is a key part of our Church’s mission that prepares aspirants for diaconal service in our diocese. This five-year program combines theological education, pastoral skills training, and spiritual development, ensuring well-rounded preparation for ministry. The program aims to cultivate knowledgeable and compassionate deacons capable of serving the community effectively. Contributions to the second collection are vital, as they support this important program, helping us continue to nurture dedicated servants for the Church.
Formerly the American Bishops Overseas Appeal
This collection provides funding for Catholic Relief Services, the USCCB Offices of International Justice and Peace, Migration and Refugee Services, and Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees, relief work of the Holy Father, and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network.
Parish Resources
The essential mission of the CCC is to contribute to the process of evangelization by fostering activities in relation to television, radio, internet, and other media, and through special projects of the Catholic press. An annual collection is taken up in the dioceses, which remit 50% of the funds collected to the National Office. From these funds, grants are made by the USCCB Subcommittee on the Catholic Communication Campaign. The remaining portion of the collection is retained by the dioceses for use in local communication projects.
For Parishes
The Retirement Fund for Religious (RFR) provides funding to any religious institute in the U.S. that is listed in the religious institute section of the OCD with an identifying OCD number, and that has an unfunded past service liability. It distributes financial assistance from the fund to religious institutes based on a formula and criteria approved by the conferences of major superiors and bishops. Annual appeal begun in 1988 and approved through 2027.
Parish Resources
The Collection for the Church in Latin America supports
pastoral programs as awarded by the Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Projects include the work of evangelization, formation of laity, religious and seminarians, as well as youth ministry and catechesis. Funding is limited to programmatic expenses and excludes building construction except in cases of
emergency.
(Taken from the USCCB page on the Church in Latin America. Click here to read more.)
Parish Resources:
Pontifical Collection. Collect funds for support of the Holy Places, but above all for those pastoral, charitable, educational and social works which the Church supports in the Holy Land for the welfare of their Christian brethren and of the local communities.
Parish Resources
The Peter’s Pence Collection enables the Holy Father to respond with emergency financial assistance to requests to aid the neediest throughout the world—those who suffer as a result of war, oppression, and natural disasters. It likewise provides the faithful with a tangible opportunity to not only empower the weak, defenseless, and voiceless, but also sustain those who suffer.
Parish Resources
In 1926 Pope Pius XI instituted Mission Sunday for the whole Church with the first worldwide Mission Sunday collection taking place in October 1927. The Mission Sunday collection is always taken on the next to last Sunday during the month of October. That day is celebrated in all the local Churches as the feast of catholicity and universal solidarity so Christians the world over will recognize their common responsibility with regard to the evangelization of the world.
Parish Resources
Villa Vianney, named after the patron saint of parish priests, is an independent living facility for our retired diocesan priests. Located in a serene, wooded area of Cordova, donated by Jim and Bernice Jarboe, it consists of eight spacious individual suites inter-connected to various common areas and a designated Chapel. This special place is a blessing to our diocesan priests who choose to live their retirement in community with their brother priests.
This collection provides aid by the Subcommittee on Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe through bishops’ conferences of Central and Eastern Europe and the ex-Soviet Union to meet the needs of rebuilding the Church. It focuses on training seminarians and lay leaders, supporting social service programs, youth ministry, pastoral and catechetical centers, schools, church construction and renovation, and evangelization through Catholic media.
Parish Resources
Ave Maria Home was opened in 1956 by a group of Catholic Women who were determined to create a long-term care facility for men and women of all faiths and economic backgrounds. For over 65 years, Ave Maria Home, a non-profit agency, has been providing for the spiritual and physical needs of active seniors, as well as the frail and elderly in a Christ-centered environment. Our vision is to be the Mid-South’s premier, Catholic long-term care community providing the highest quality of inpatient and outpatient programs, in a faith-based environment, that are enriching, offer different levels of care, allow seniors to age in place, and encourage seniors to live life to the fullest. For residents who outlive their financial resources, the Ave Maria Foundation will offer peace of mind and security in the future.
Through the Pastoral Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa the Subcommittee on the Church in Africa provides grants to finance pastoral projects that support the maintenance and growth of the Church in Africa. Funded projects include outreach programs, schools, evangelization, and education of clergy and lay ministers.
Parish Resources
Mandated by the III Plenary Council in 1884, the 125-year-old National Collection for Black and Indian people continues as the embodiment of the Church’s concern for evangelizing the Black and Indian peoples of the United States. The funds are distributed as grants to dioceses throughout the United States, supporting and strengthening evangelization programs which otherwise would cease. The Collection was formerly known as The Black and Indian Home Mission Collection.
Parish Resources
Launched in 1998, the Appeal strengthens the Catholic Church in the United States and its territories in 85 Latin and Eastern Catholic dioceses. The Subcommittee on the Catholic Home Missions funds a wide range of pastoral services, including evangelization, religious education, and the maintenance of mission parishes, the training of seminarians and lay ministers, and ministry with ethnic groups.
Parish Resources
Since 1903, the National Collection – the only
nationwide second collection taken for higher education in the U.S. – has been a critical source of funding for Catholic University. Thanks to the collection, the University has been able to educate thousands of young minds in both faith and reason, while upholding the highest standards of education and conducting critical research to serve dioceses, parishes and pastors throughout our country
Parish Resources
The Collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development addresses the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and transformative education. Grants are awarded by the Subcommittee on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development with the approval of local bishops.
Parish Resources
