PROVIDENCE — The 99th Catholic Charity appeal kicks off in the Diocese of Providence this week with its 2024 theme “A State of Hope.”
In his first year of ministry in the Diocese of Providence, Bishop Richard G. Henning has had the opportunity to visit parishes, schools and ministries across the diocese and has been deeply moved by the engagement he has witnessed of many faithful to the Church’s mission of service.
“This array of experiences has given me cause to appreciate and anticipate participating in the annual Catholic Charity Appeal…I have seen the way it empowers serving others in the name of the Lord Jesus,” Bishop Henning said.
The bishop said he chose this year’s theme because it exemplifies how Jesus calls us in so many ways to a new sense of communion and solidarity.
“As men and women of faith, we are called to share Christ’s charitable gift to us. The Catholic Charity Appeal is an opportunity to do that,” Bishop Henning said in a letter to the faithful asking for their support in the campaign.
“We provide honor to God as we multiply the blessings given to us by sharing them with one another. I’ve already made my pledge to the Appeal, and I invite you to do the same.”
The goal for this year’s campaign will be renewed at $7 million, as it was for the 2023 Appeal, which finished at 105% of the goal. Individual parish goals will remain the same for this year.
The annual Appeal provides funding to about three dozen diocesan programs and agencies, such as Life and Family Ministry, St. Gabriel’s Call for Mothers in Need, the St. Martin de Porres Multi-Service Center, the Mother of Hope Summer Camp in Chepachet, Diaconate Formation, the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence and the Catholic Schools Office, which last year received $270,000 to provide tuition assistance to families with demonstrated need across Rhode Island.
The Appeal also supported 18 seminarians studying for the priesthood and helped the Life and Family Ministry Office to assist 1,700 people. It also provided for 15,000 meals to be served last year to seniors at Martin de Porres. The generous support of those who contributed also allowed for the diocese’s emergency services network to help 90,000 people in need.
“A gift to the Appeal funds immediate assistance programs that aid those in desperate need of food, shelter and heating assistance, but it also builds up the Church in other areas of Evangelization, Catholic Education, Spiritual Formation and Ministerial Services,” said Tim McCaig, director of Stewardship and Development, who noted that approximately 100,000 people a year benefit from monies donated.
McCaig said that part of his job is to illustrate how diocesan ministries share the Good News of Christ. He said the office has created new videos to highlight the work of those performing “everyday miracles,” like those that occur at the Emmanuel House Homeless Shelter.
Stewardship and Development has also created promotions for print, radio and television to better share these success stories.
“Our goal is to proclaim the good work of the Catholic Charity Appeal and encourage more people to participate for the first time,” McCaig said.
As for the campaign’s timeline, Bishop Henning’s letter to the faithful has gone out this week, and presentations at churches across the diocese are scheduled to take place in February and March and continue into the spring.
“I am optimistic and hopeful that people will want to support Bishop Henning in his first year leading the Catholic Charity Appeal. We pray for a successful result again in 2024,” McCaig said.
The Office of Stewardship has established the following online link for donors to contribute to the 2024 Catholic Charity Appeal: www.Givecentral.org/2024CCA.
