Ministries Funded
Why is the Bishop’s Appeal important?
As members of one family in Christ, we are called upon to love and serve all of our brothers and sisters – both within our Catholic community and beyond. Your contribution to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal allows our Diocese to continue to serve as a resource to parishes and other organizations in their efforts to provide service, evangelization, and outreach to people throughout Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
Ministries and Outreach
By sharing our faith we bring the good news of the Gospel to countless others. The spectrum of ministries and outreach programs supported by the Diocese helps move our faith forward. Our youth, aging, family life, campus life and multicultural ministries enrich the everyday and spiritual lives of over 800,000 parishioners. And with the help of our radio, video, digital and social media outreach, the Word of God can be heard, seen and read at any time.
Catholic Education
The Diocese’s Office of Catholic Education, through its departments of Catholic Schools, Catechesis and Lay Formation, enables our children, youth, adults and families to know their faith, to become persons of prayer and disciples of Jesus Christ. Through support of our Catholic schools, religious education, lay ministry and sacramental programs we provide, nurture and grow the spiritual lives of countless individuals and are vital for the future of our Church.
Charities
As a diocese we embrace the call of the Gospel to be ever-present to the poor and vulnerable. The Bishop’s Annual Appeal supports social outreach programs and in so doing honors the social teachings of the Church for the benefit and welfare of those less fortunate, struggling with addiction, and facing unexpected hardships.
Caring for Our Ordained, Supporting Our Seminarians
We provide assistance to the retired clergy of our diocese with quality healthcare, housing, financial support and on-going educational and formative programs. And for those who have been newly called to the blessed life as a priest, the Diocese offers support with tuition, room, board, books and healthcare.
Parish Needs
The rebate program for the Bishop’s Annual Appeal returns funds directly to parishes and is one of the most generous parish rebate programs in the country. Many parishes put these funds toward repairs, improvements, savings, or to help fund specific ministerial needs such as the St. Vincent DePaul Society and parish youth programs.