Card. Sean O’Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston announced the weekend launch of the 2023 Catholic Appeal. With it, the annual fundraising initiative begins to support the archdiocese’s pipeline projects.
Details of the 2023 Catholic Appeal
According to a Boston Globe report, the archdiocese was set to launch the 2023 Catholic Appeal over the weekend. The report said the yearly fundraising helps raise close to 50% of the Boston archdiocese’s budget for the year.
Cardinal O’Malley explained that the archdiocese relies heavily on the kindheartedness of its flock.
“We are reminded that our mission of evangelization, our works of mercy, our service to the poor and the sick, support for vocations, and our witness in support of life depends on the generosity of Catholics across the Archdiocese,” Boston Globe quoted O’Malley saying.
The cardinal added that their shared mission is to promote Christ’s “lifesaving ministry” to foster “communities of love.” O’Malley said such virtues “help the Church provide aid and attention to areas of greatest need across our many communities.”
According to the same report, the annual fundraising appeal raises the money the archdiocesan leadership uses for its “addiction recovery and faith community nursing, youth ministry and Catholic education” programs.
Moreover, the yearly Catholic Appeal fundraiser supports parishes that promote healthy parish communities and realize Christ’s mission to help needy individuals.
The report also said the 2023 Catholic Appeal occurred on Saturday and Sunday. The archdiocese reportedly allowed online donations through this link.
What the Catholic Appeal Specifically Funds
The news outlet itemized the various Boston archdiocese programs and projects the annual Catholic Appeal supports.
Boston Globe said the fundraiser helps fund 51 ministries in 249 parishes and 100 Catholic schools with 3,000 faculty members and 31,000 students. Moreover, it funds “190 faith formation programs” serving adults, kids, and college students, as well as the archdiocese’s Campus Ministry program serving 25 university campuses and colleges.
Additionally, Catholic Appeal helps support over 350 Faith Formation Directors, 64 volunteer faith community nurses, 28 hospital chaplains, and 88 communities. The money from the Appeal likewise funds 24 parishes promoting the iThirst program and weekly Masses celebrated in 22 languages.
About the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
According to its About page, the Archdiocese of Boston is the nation’s “fourth-largest archdiocese.” Over 1.8 million U.S. Catholics call the archdiocese their home.
The website says Cardinal O’Malley, OFM Cap., has been the archdiocese’s spiritual leader since July 2003. He was instrumental in the “unprecedented events with a focus on healing and rebuilding the local Church.”
The archdiocese reportedly serves 144 communities all over eastern Massachusetts. The archdiocese’s parochial schools are responsible for educating over 46,000 students yearly. Meanwhile, its outreach programs and ministries cater to the needs of over 200,000 beneficiaries annually.
The Archdiocese of Boston is also instrumental in reaching out to Catholics of different nationalities through its Masses celebrated in over 20 languages.
Most Rev. Mark O’Connell joins Cardinal O’Malley in leading the archdiocesan flock as its auxiliary bishop.
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