PROVIDENCE — At the halfway point of the 2022 Catholic Charity Appeal the Diocese of Providence has received $4,315,462 in one-time gifts and pledges, meeting 63% of its goal.
While the Appeal began in mid-January and runs through June, the campaign is currently in the “in-pew phase,” in which presentations are being made in churches through April to showcase the many diocesan ministries made possible by the generous support of donors each year.
“We’re really hopeful about reaching the goal; it’s moving in a really good direction, but there’s still work to be done,” said Tim McCaig, director of the Office of Stewardship and Development.
“We’re ahead of last year by approximately $600,000 at this point, through the same date.”
McCaig said that of the money pledged so far, $3,532,049 has been received from a total of 12,274 donors, with an average gift of $352.
The campaign needs approximately $2.5 million to meet its goal.
With the theme, “150 Years of Sharing God’s Love,” which is underscored by a passage from Psalm 126, “The Lord had done great things for us. We are filled with joy,” the Appeal launched in mid-January with a goal of $6.8 million dollars.
The Catholic Charity Appeal is the principal means of support for numerous diocesan outreach ministries.
In 2021, the diocese’s St. Martin de Porres Multi-Service Center was able to feed 350 families per week with the resources they received through the Appeal, while the Emmanuel House homeless shelter provided 16,000 bed nights for those with no place else to turn for help.
The Office of Life and Family Ministry provided baby supplies and assistance to 1,700 individuals.
The Appeal also provides annual support for various education programs each year.
Last year, the Special Religious Education Program (SPRED) received $105,000 to support those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, while Catholic school students benefited from $289,000 in tuition assistance. Funding for the promotion of Vocations is also made possible through the Appeal. The diocese currently has 17 seminarians in formation.
Additionally, the Office of Catholic Youth Ministry was able to serve 165 campers per week last summer at its Mother of Hope Summer Camp, and 60 college students per week were able to participate in campus ministry at Brown and RISD during 2021, thanks to the generosity of donors to the Appeal.
“It’s moving forward positively,” said McCaig. “The next two months will be critical for our success.”
“So we hope for a good return in the mail, at Mass, and throughout the remainder of the spring to reach our goal. The faithful have been so generous in supporting these important ministries, and we pray and hope that will continue.”
In launching the annual drive, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin said that observance of the Diocese of Providence’s sesquicentennial this year is a perfect time for everyone to reflect on how the Catholic Charity Appeal has enabled the benevolent mission of the Church for most of those 150 years and how it will position the diocese well to continue that mission into the future.
“The anniversary is an opportunity for us to remember all the blessings the Lord has given to our Diocese over the years and how he has used the Church as his instrument to serve and bless the community in which we live. Like a lighthouse standing strong in the Ocean State, the Church has inspired, educated, healed, sanctified and served countless souls, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, for 150 years, all in the name of Christ,” Bishop Tobin said.
In addition to the in-pew Appeal solicitations in parishes, the Office of Stewardship and Development has established the following online link for donors to contribute to the 2022 Catholic Charity Appeal: Givecentral.org/2022CCA.
