Annual Catholic Services Appeal: Building Our Future, Strengthening Our Faith

The weekend of September 14/15 we begin our annual Catholic Services Appeal (CSA). This annual appeal provides financial support for our Diocese. Among the things financially supported by the appeal is the education and formation of our future priests. Father Dan, our current seminarians and I are all tremendously grateful for the support you give to the CSA. Without this support, none of us would be the priests we are today, whether we are still in formation, have been a priest for just over a year, or a priest for thirty-three years. It was and is the CSA that provides for our preparation to be your priests. 

But none of us, especially the young men becoming priests today, entered the seminary without first having great opportunities to experience our rich Catholic faith. For the young people today, they often start by participating in our Diocesan summer program for first through twelfth graders called Totus Tuus. These weeklong camps are held at local parishes throughout our diocese, including Saint Patrick’s. A team of college students, well formed in the faith spend the summer traveling from parish to parish conducting these camps. 

Next is Extreme Faith Camp. It is a weeklong summer camp for middle schoolers. Many of the middle schoolers will continue attending Extreme Faith Camp into their high school years as counselors. Middle and high schoolers will attend the evening Totus Tuus program in their home parishes. High Schoolers can strengthen their faith by participating in a Discipleship weekend, sponsored by the Diocese. Some of the young men will attend a Saint Andrew dinner with their parents to learn especially about the process of becoming a priest. 

These are just a few of the things that the CSA helps to fund. The CSA supports a variety of Diocesan offices that help us with our school and to exist as a parish. Continuing education programs are offered for our staff, and diocesan retreats are held for men and women. And the list goes on.

This year our annual assessment is $124,463. This is similar to what is has been the past several years. The great news is that this past year, we surpassed our goal by just over $4,000. That money will move forward and help us with this year’s assessment. My hope is that we can once again show we are in union with the other parishes of our Diocese and our Bishop in generously supporting the CSA. Our contributions don’t just support Diocesan offices; they support our parishes, our youth, our future priests, and they support all of us in our journey of faith.

To watch the Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) video, click HERE.

To make a pledge to the Catholic Services Appeal (CSA), click HERE.

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