Joshua Bennett
The Boston Catholic Appeal is an annual fund that supports the Archdiocese of Boston's parishes, schools, and communities. The Appeal funds nearly 50% of the Archdiocese's budget, with the remainder coming from other philanthropic sources and fees. The Appeal makes an immediate impact on the 50+ ministries that support these parishes, schools, and communities, providing essential funding to carry out Christ's mission to help those in need. The ministries supported by the Appeal provide resources, compassion, and hope to people of all faiths and backgrounds, including those in need of food and shelter, education for children, and support for the sick. The Appeal also supports the formation of priests and deacons and upholds the dignity of all life through pro-life and palliative care ministries. There are various ways to give to the Appeal, including online donations, direct debit, donor-advised funds, stock, and IRA contributions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is the Boston Catholic Appeal? | An annual fund that supports parishes, schools, and communities. |
| Who manages the Appeal? | Boston Catholic Development Services, an Archdiocesan ministry |
| Who is the Chief Philanthropy Officer for the Archdiocese of Boston? | Gavan P. Mooney |
| Who are the Chairs of the 2024 Appeal? | John and Julie Corcoran, parishioners of St. Paul Parish in Hamilton, MA |
| How much does the Appeal fund the Archdiocese of Boston's budget? | Nearly 50% |
| How many ministries does the Appeal support? | 50+ |
| How much is returned to parishes each year? | $1.5M |
| How can people give to the Appeal? | Direct transfer from an IRA, in-pew envelope at Mass, online donation, direct debit, donor-advised funds, stock, or IRA contributions |
| Who can you contact for more information on giving? | Arlene Dubrowski at (617) 779-3706 |
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What You'll Learn
Donate online, by phone, or via direct IRA transfer
You can donate to the Boston Catholic Appeal online, by phone, or via direct IRA transfer.
Online
To make an online donation, visit the secure website at bostoncatholicappeal.org. Here, you can learn more about the benefits of giving by direct debit, donor-advised funds, or stock contributions.
By Phone
If you have any questions about giving, you can contact Arlene Dubrowski at (617) 779-3706. The Catholic Appeal team is available to answer any questions you may have.
Direct IRA Transfer
A direct transfer from your IRA to the Catholic Appeal can be a tax-wise gift. To qualify for tax benefits, you must be 70 1/2 or older, and the gift must be made directly from your IRA to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, Inc. (Tax ID #04-2106175), with the Catholic Appeal specified as the use/purpose of your gift.
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Support Catholic schools and students
The Catholic Appeal is an annual fund that supports Catholic schools and students in the Archdiocese of Boston. The Appeal funds nearly 50% of the Archdiocese's budget, providing essential funding to ministries, schools, and parishes that serve vibrant communities of faith and fulfill Christ's mission to help those in need.
Each year, the Appeal helps support more than 32,000 students across 90 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Boston. The schools provide a unique educational experience that has thrived even amidst the challenges of the pandemic. By donating to the Appeal, you can help ensure that Catholic schools in Boston continue to offer a high-quality education that nurtures the faith and values of their students.
Donations to the Appeal support a range of initiatives that benefit Catholic schools and students. For example, the Appeal provides resources for religious education and engagement programs that deepen students' understanding of their faith and help them live it out more fully. It also supports the formation of priests and deacons who play a vital role in the spiritual life of Catholic schools.
There are several ways to donate to the Catholic Appeal and support Catholic schools and students in Boston. You can make a gift or pledge using the in-pew envelope available during Mass on Commitment Weekend, which usually falls in early March. Alternatively, you can make an online donation through the Boston Catholic Appeal website, where you can also find information about other ways to give, such as direct debit, donor-advised funds, stock transfers, or IRA contributions.
One tax-wise option for donors over 70 ½ years old is to make a qualified transfer directly from their IRA to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, which can count towards their required minimum distribution while being excluded from their gross income. For more information on this option, donors can contact the Boston Catholic Appeal team or seek financial advice.
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Help fund priest and deacon formation
The Boston Catholic Appeal is an annual appeal that helps the Church ensure that the presence and hope of Christ can be felt throughout the 144 communities that make up the Archdiocese of Boston. By donating to the Appeal, you can support the formation of priests and deacons, from discernment through ordination and beyond.
Seminary formation is about preparing individuals to serve Christ and his Church. The goal is to become a holy priest who can lead and pastor Christ's flock within the diocese of Boston. There are four primary areas of formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral.
Human formation involves dedicating oneself to truth, compassion, justice, balance, and respect for every person. It requires developing a healthy psychological and emotional life, mature friendships, the right disposition toward authority and celibacy, leadership skills, and positive social interactions within a community.
Spiritual formation is based on the principle of "living in intimate and unceasing union with God the Father through his Son, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit". This union is a deep and lasting relationship with God, and it is at the core of a priest's being and acting. Spiritual formation includes having a Spiritual Director (a priest with whom one meets regularly), as well as a life of prayer, devotional practices, and days of personal reflection and meditation.
Intellectual formation means seeking an ever-deeper knowledge of divine mysteries so that one may teach the Gospel to all people and bring them the joy and salvation of Christ. This includes the study of philosophy and theology, typically resulting in a bachelor's degree in Philosophy and a Master of Divinity or a Master of Arts in Theology before ordination.
Finally, pastoral formation brings everything together, forming individuals into true shepherds of souls after the example of Jesus Christ. This transition is supported at every step, with increasing involvement in pastoral activity outside the seminary community, such as in parish settings and charitable institutions. As ordination nears, most time is spent serving and residing at a parish. In the final year, as an ordained Transitional Deacon, one enters a particular parish.
You can make a direct transfer from your IRA to the Catholic Appeal to fund priest and deacon formation. To qualify for tax benefits, you must be 70 ½ or older, and the gift must be made directly from your IRA to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, Inc.
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Support pro-life and palliative care ministries
The Boston Catholic Appeal supports pro-life and palliative care ministries through its Campus Ministry programs. The Campus Ministry, led by Fr. Eric Cadin, reaches out to college students, helping them explore their faith. The Archdiocese of Boston is a leader in palliative care, with a huge demand for its ministry's services and information. The ministry supports the dignity of all life, from conception to natural death.
The Appeal's Campus Ministry serves 25 colleges and universities, with chaplains bringing Christ's love to students and staff. During the pandemic, Chaplain Mary Beth Moran, for example, continued to minister to those in need in a safe way. The Appeal also supports the training of volunteer faith community nurses, who offer spiritual, emotional, and health support to the sick and homebound. Gerry Nelson, a faith community nurse, offers nearly 20 hours of her time each week to assist those in need.
The Appeal's Campus Ministry also works with the Chaplaincy Office to oversee, train, and coordinate hospital and prison chaplains. These chaplains bring Christ's love to hospitals and prisons, with 41 chaplains serving across Greater Boston. The ministry also includes 64 faith community nurses who provide care and sacraments to the homebound.
The Boston Catholic Appeal also supports the work of Pro-Life and Palliative Care ministries through its Central Ministries. These ministries support vibrant parishes, helping them create programs and initiatives tailored to their communities' needs. The Central Ministries support 250 parishes, assisting with operational needs, property damage, and maintenance.
Donations to the Boston Catholic Appeal can be made through a direct transfer from an IRA. To qualify for tax benefits, donors must be 70 1/2 or older, and the gift must be made directly to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, Inc.
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Support parish communities and their initiatives
The Catholic Appeal is an annual fund that supports parish communities and their initiatives in Boston. The Appeal funds nearly 50% of the Archdiocese of Boston's budget, which goes towards supporting parishes, schools, and communities. Each year, $1.5 million is returned to parishes as rebates to be used for local programs. The Appeal also supports the formation of priests and deacons, as well as the work of the Catholic Schools Office, helping over 32,000 students across 90 schools.
The Appeal provides essential funding to ministries that serve the needs of thousands across the Archdiocese. These ministries provide resources, compassion, and hope to people of all faiths and backgrounds, particularly those living on the margins. They also support the dignity of all life, from conception until natural death, through pro-life and palliative care initiatives.
There are several ways to give to the Catholic Appeal and support parish communities. One way is through the in-pew envelope available during Commitment Weekend, which falls on March 9-10 this year. You can also make a donation online or set up a direct debit on the Boston Catholic Appeal website. Another option is to make a tax-wise gift by transferring directly from your IRA if you are 70 ½ or older. This type of donation has tax benefits, such as being excluded from your gross income.
By participating in the Catholic Appeal, you can help ensure that the presence and hope of Christ are felt throughout the Archdiocese of Boston's 144 communities and 250 parish communities. Your generosity will enable parishes to create programs and initiatives that meet their unique priorities and the needs of those they serve.
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Frequently asked questions
The Boston Catholic Appeal is an annual fund that supports parishes, schools, and communities in the Archdiocese of Boston.
You can donate to the Appeal online via the official website, or by using the in-pew envelope provided during Mass. You can also make a direct transfer from your IRA, or donate via direct debit, donor-advised funds, stock, or other methods.
The Appeal funds various ministries, schools, and parishes that serve the Archdiocese's communities. This includes support for faith education, future priests, the sick, and those in need of food and shelter.
The Appeal is typically announced during all masses on a specified weekend in early March, with the following weekend designated as Commitment Weekend, when donations are encouraged.
