National Collections

"As faithful disciples and imitators of Christ, you are urged to go against the current, choosing the evangelical option of serving the brethren…above all, because you are impelled by the unceasing power of divine charity."

— Pope John Paul II (2001)

Each parish is part of the Church Universal; it is the Catholic Church in a particular place. The bishops of the United States created the national collections so that, by combining resources, we can more effectively carry out our mission as Catholics. Each of these important collections is worthy of your support. Each collection represents our community of faith at work in the world, saving souls and improving lives.

The bishops encourage us to view the national collections in the light of stewardship and of sharing. God has given us our light and our prosperity, all we need and more. It is right and just that we give something back through these collections, helping people in our own country and around the world to live better and to grow in the love of Jesus.

Guidelines

One Church. One Mission—Guidelines for Administering USCCB National Collections in Dioceses 
This document, approved in November 2011 and addressed to bishops and to diocesan and parish personnel, provides guidance and explanation about the nature and meaning of the national collections and direction on how they should be best administered.

2013/2014 National Collection Schedule

• 2013/2014 National Collections Schedule
  

 

One Church. One Mission. Real Lives.

"Please express my gratitude to all who have made this generous gift possible. And I ask our Risen Savior to pour out many new blessings upon all." ~ a bishop from Texas

Most people think of "the missions" as places in the world where the Gospel hasn't been heard or where its seeds have only recently been planted. Home missions are places here in the United States (and its dependencies) where the Church is well-established but vulnerable because of low financial resources, small Catholic populations, and/or large geographic areas. These "home missions" as diverse as Boise, which covers the entire state of Idaho, the west Texas diocese of El Paso, and Lexington, Kentucky in Appalachia. Catholics have been generous to the needs of the home missions.

"With prayers for abundant blessings on you and those who support Catholic Home Missions…" ~ a bishop from Mississippi

The very first Catholic Home Missions Appeal in 1998 generated $4 million. Results from the 2011 Appeal are at $8.7 million. Over 95% of the donations goes back out in grants to mission dioceses. Catholic Home Mission grants support essential pastoral services, like: religious education; formation of seminarians, deacons, and lay ministers; aid to mission parishes; youth/young adult ministry; and evangelization programs.In many cases, without CHM funds, dioceses would not be able to meet key pastoral needs.

Many home mission dioceses have only one person handling an entire ministry.  Without grants from CHM, these ministries would not exist or would be handled on a part-time basis, decreasing their impact. In the case of the support given to mission parishes, in some areas there is only one parish to serve an entire county. If that parish were to close…we can imagine what that would be like for the parishioners but it also would mean the Catholic presence in that community, and the impact it has beyond its registered parishioners, would be lost.

"To your staff and all your donors I offer my sincere thanks and gratitude." ~ a bishop from Alaska

Each time we send out grant checks we hear back some version of "it's hard to put into words the impact this will have on our diocese." So while $8 million dollars spread across the country may not seem like a lot, we know that the impact of those dollars is greater than the number would suggest. Each donation made to the Catholic Home Missions Appeal will make a real difference. 

"We are most appreciative of…the generosity of all who contribute to the mission diocese in the United States and we remember you and your intentions in our grateful prayers." ~ a bishop from Missouri