Parishioners more than meet Archdiocese’s annual $9M goal
Raising over $9.4 million to date, the 2022 Annual Appeal surpassed its goal of $9 million just six months into the year, according to the Office of Development and Stewardship of the Archdiocese of Newark.
For the second year in a row, Catholics throughout the Archdiocese showed overwhelming financial support of the Archdiocese’s charitable programs and ministries funded through the Annual Appeal.
By October of last year, the Annual Appeal rose beyond its goal of $9 million — the first time in 10 years to do so even though the economy was affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This year, faced with higher gas and food prices, individuals and families within our faith communities once again showed tremendous support , said Thomas Smith, Director Office of Development and Stewardship for the Archdiocese.
“The need didn’t go away; it only became greater. This year’s stewardship reflects the blessings felt by many and the desire to share those blessings with others,” Smith said.
At the start of the Annual Appeal, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R, Archbishop of Newark, said that the funds would help 87 Catholic charity programs at over 26 sites and touch over 62,000 of the disadvantaged.
“Through your generous support of the Annual Appeal, our Archdiocese is able to form the next generation of leaders, minister to the poor and suffering, welcome those on the margins, and provide urgently needed resources so that our parishes can flourish. I am deeply grateful that parishioners continue to renew their faith in Christ and to be engaged in the vibrant life of our church,” Cardinal Tobin said at the mid-year mark.
The appeal for funding is broken down into four categories:
- Proclaiming the Gospel ($1 million goal) — Funding for ministry to multi-ethnic communities, family-life programs, international missions, and ministry with the deaf.
- Caring for the Poor and Vulnerable ($3.5 million goal) — Funding for Catholic Charities, hospital and prison ministries, ministry with persons with disabilities, pro-life efforts, and protection of God’s children.
- Passing on the Faith ($2 million goal)— Funding of youth and young adult programs, faith formation, and campus ministries, and tuition support for Catholic schools.
- Forming Future Priests & Supporting Retired Clergy ($2.5 million goal) — Funding for continuing formation for priests, seminarian education, and priest health care.
Last year was the first Appeal in which donors could restrict their donations to one of the four categories.
Smith said that most donors do not restrict their gifts, but of those that do, most want their donations to go toward Caring for the Poor and Vulnerable.
Although the number of donors to date stayed about the same at 25,000, this year’s average donation amount increased by $25 to $375, Smith said.
To date, online giving increased in 2022 by about $263,000 in total, with the average donation increasing from $412 to $435 this year, Smith said.
As the Archdiocese creates more options for Catholics to give through various digital platforms, online donations are becoming a more popular way to give. The number of online donors increased by about 6% in 2022, with approximately 5,660 online donors giving about $2.46 million to date.
Smith also commended the number of parishes that made their goals this year. Out of 212 parishes, 159 made their specific financial fundraising goal, up 22% from last year.
This year, the appeal’s campaign also pushed for donors to reach out to their employers to inquire about matching their donations, Smith said. Next year, the Office of Development and Stewardship hopes to have software that will connect online donors to employers, who offer matching gifts and then directly to their pages and forms.
Smith credited the success of this year’s Appeal to the pastors’ clear messages to their parishes. Simply put: “They offered an invitation to be part of the Catholic church’s mission,” he said.
Cardinal Tobin thanked the parishioners of the Archdiocese for their support: “I am deeply grateful that Catholics continue to renew their faith in Christ and to be engaged in the vibrant life of our Church. I offer a tremendous and heartfelt thank you to the many generous donors like you who continue to say ‘yes’ in support of our service to bring Christ’s help and hope to the people of our communities.”
The 2022 Annual Appeal, which includes participation of 212 parishes in Union, Bergen, Hudson, and Essex counties began in January and will end in December.
Donors can still give by visiting the Archdiocese website. The Archdiocese is expected to release the 2022 Impact Report to all parishes by November.
Featured photo: Donors have given more $9.4 million to the Archdiocese’s Annual Appeal. (Archdiocese of Newark)
