More than $4 million has been pledged toward the 2005-06
Diocesan Ministries Appeal (TGA), Roman Catholic Bishop Matthew H. Clark
announced today.
The appeal now is at approximately 80 percent of the $5.3 million goal.
“I am delighted at this outpouring of generosity from Roman Catholics in our diocese
who recognize that being a disciple of Jesus means sharing our blessings,” Bishop Clark
said. “I encourage all those still considering a gift to lend their support and join the
thousands who are helping us feed our poor, pass on our faith to our youth, encourage
vocations, strengthen families and provide our parishes with much-needed resources.”
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 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, Development and Communications at 585-328-3228,
ext. 1297.

Annual Appeal
tops halfway mark

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Bishop Matthew H. Clark today announced that the 2005-06 Diocesan
Ministries Appeal (TGA) has topped the halfway mark.
• More than $2.8 million has been raised toward the goal of $5.3 million.
• Approximately 90 faith communities have raised at least 50% of their parish goals.
• More than 24,000 Catholic households have contributed.
“Roman Catholics in our diocese continue to show tremendous generosity and I am very grateful
to those who have helped their parishes and our many ministries in this campaign,” Bishop Clark
said. “I encourage all those considering giving a gift to do so with the knowledge that they have
helped feed our poor, educate our youth, encourage vocations, fortified families and strengthened
our parishes. Reaching out, sharing our time, talent and treasure — this is what being Catholic is
all about.”
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, and support for the Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
program. The fund also provides resources for the pastoral planning process, which enables
Catholic faith communities throughout 12 counties to face common challenges and maintain
vitality in an era of declining clergy and resources.
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.
If you wish to contribute, visit the diocesan website at www.dor.org, or call the Office of
Stewardship, Development and Communications at 585-328-3228, ext. 1297.

2 5 TH A N N I V E R S A R Y
Bishop launches annual appeal
with theme, ‘In Giving, We Receive’
Campaign goal of $5.3 million will support ministries of Diocese
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Bishop Matthew H. Clark and officials from the Roman Catholic Diocese
of Rochester today announced a goal of $5.3 million for the 2005-06 annual diocesan ministries
appeal (TGA), which reaches out to Catholics throughout the 12-county diocese. The goal was
announced at a news conference held at Good Shepherd School in Henrietta.
“Roman Catholics in our diocese have shown a tremendous generosity since the beginning of the
Thanks Giving Appeal in the early 1980s,” Bishop Clark said. “I am very grateful. Over the past
25 years, this generosity has helped feed our poor, educate our youth, encourage vocations,
fortified families and strengthened our parishes. We cannot do what we do without the people
who support the appeal.”
The Bishop continued, “This year’s theme, In Giving We Receive, gets to the heart of what it
means to be Catholic, reminding us to support one another and to thank God for God’s
generosity by sharing with others. The annual appeal is an important opportunity to support each
other, those most in need and our individual parishes.”
Bishop Clark told reporters that the children who surrounded him at the news conference
symbolize the future of the church and the need to build it up for generations to come, as wells as
continuity — that their parents and generations before them have sacrificed much and invested
generously so the crucial work of the Church can flourish.
Brochures and pledge cards are being distributed to the approximately 125,000 Catholic
households in the diocese, and personal appeals will be made at the parish level over the course
of the next several weeks.
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, and support for the Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
program. It also funds the pastoral planning process, which enables Catholic faith communities
throughout 12 counties to face common challenges and maintain vitality in an era of declining
clergy and resources. A large allocation from the Appeal is directed to Catholic Charities, which
provides outreach to the poor and needy through regional offices located throughout the diocese.
In addition, the appeal delivers support to the diocesan Catholic Schools, by helping to fund
administrative services for Catholic elementary and junior high schools.