Catholic Ministries Appeal begins

Bishop launches 2012/13 Catholic Ministries Appeal

Making a Difference Every Day

Visit the CMA WEBSITE to WATCH THE VIDEO

Sept. 12, 2012 – Bishop of Rochester Matthew H. Clark launched the 2012/13 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) today with the theme, Making a Difference Every Day.

This year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal – also known as the CMA – follows the most successful campaign since the annual appeal was begun in the early 1980s.

A record $5.3 million was raised, the most ever collected in the history of the CMA. In addition, the past campaign marked the 5th consecutive year that more than $5 million was pledged, as well as the 8th straight year the average gift has climbed ($171).

Bishop Clark thanked Catholics for their spirit of generosity.

“More than 30 years ago,” he said, “I asked Catholics to support a diocesan-wide Annual Appeal that would help us provide crucial ministries and services throughout our 12-county Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester – ministries that affect nearly every Catholic family in some way. From the very beginning in the early 1980s, thousands of families have responded in good stewardship and great generosity. Because of these gifts, we have been able to sustain our ministries, as well as respond to new needs and emerging challenges. I am forever grateful for this spirit and enthusiasm.”

The CMA helps fund ministries for more than 314,000 Catholics and others in Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Cayuga, Livingston, Steuben, Tioga, Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Tompkins and Yates counties.

This year’s campaign goal is $5.8 million. Materials are being mailed to approximately 112,000 households. Donors can also give online by clicking here

WHAT THE CMA SUPPORTS

• Educating our children and teens in the Roman Catholic faith
• Serving people in need through the agencies of Catholic Charities
• Supporting Catholic Schools
• Ministering to young Catholics on college campuses and connecting young adults to their faith
• Visiting the sick in our hospitals
• Reaching out to children and adults of migrant farm families
• Supporting and celebrating the work of our priests and promoting the priesthood
• Supporting Pope Benedict XVI’s ministries to people worldwide and national ministries
• Providing our parishes with professional services vital to their daily operation
• Spreading the Gospel message through modern means of communication
• Promoting Catholic values on the sanctity of life from conception to death.
• Developing positive relationships with people of other faiths through inter-religious dialogue
• Preparing couples for the sacrament of marriage
• Properly preparing people who wish to become Roman Catholic