Gifts to the 2007/2008 Catholic Ministries Appeal surpass $3 million

Catholic Ministries Appeal tops $3.2 million

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Nearly 25,000 Roman Catholic households have contributed more than $3.2 million to the 2007/2008 Catholic Ministries Appeal – about 60 percent of the $5.3 million goal, the Diocese of Rochester announced today. This figure is more than $250,000 over last year’s campaign total – which itself was the best in several years.

Contributions to the Appeal, one of the largest fundraising campaigns in the area, are used in four main areas:

• Support for the diocese’s 130 parishes
• Communicating the Gospel
• Helping the needy
• Passing on the faith to children and young people.

More specifically, contributions to the Appeal enable the diocese to provide critical support to parishes, including training and support for catechetical leaders, youth ministry opportunities, migrant ministry, grants to inner city parishes, pastoral planning, and religious education. In addition, the appeal benefits Catholic Charities, which provides outreach to the poor and needy through regional offices located throughout the diocese. As well, the appeal delivers support to the diocesan Catholic Schools, by helping to fund administrative services for Catholic elementary and junior high schools.

KINDLY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR COVERAGE:

Those wishing to contribute can visit the diocesan website at www.dor.org, or call the Office of Stewardship & Communications at 585-328-3228, ext. 1297.