Ministries Supporting Our Lives

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The Eucharist is a sacrament of communion — uniting us with God and with each other. It sends us on mission to become what we receive: the Body of Christ — offering the gift of our self, and our good works, to others.

The ministries supported by the Bishop’s Annual Appeal are at the heart of this mission. They provide assistance, education, and pastoral care to people throughout our diocese.

We are a Church today that faces many challenges, and I pledge to continue efforts that foster accountability and safe environments for everyone. These challenges, however, don’t lessen the good work being done by these ministries. In fact, they make the work of these ministries — now and in the future — more necessary than ever.

This includes vocations, Catholic education, faith formation, marriage preparation, family life, pastoral planning, multicultural ministries, ministry to the divorced, and the TV Mass for the homebound.

Many of you have contributed to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal in the past, and I’m very grateful for every gift we receive. We couldn’t do this without you.

Please prayerfully discern a gift to the Appeal and join others — just like you — around the diocese in support of this important work. The need is great and your support — no matter the amount — makes a difference in the lives of so many others. Your gift will go directly to these diocesan ministries and will not be used for any other purpose.

Thank you, and may God bless you and your loved ones.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+Donald J. Kettler
Bishop of Saint Cloud

tv mass

“This is our way of making sure … to reach those who desire to be part of our Church but for whatever reason are physically not able to get there.

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lay ministry training

“We have lots of people in our diocese who feel the particular call to lay ecclesial ministry. It is our job at the Emmaus Institute to enhance their skills and give them the knowledge and tools needed to do this important work. If we are wanting our church to be vibrant, then we need well-trained clergy and well-trained lay ministers who, together as co-workers in the vineyard, prepare and form the body of Christ to go out to the world and proclaim the Gospel.” Read more>

vocations

“The whole stretch of the diocese is impacted by the investment people make in the Annual Appeal for those who go on to be priests, deacons or other leaders in our parishes. These are people that will be leading not just this generation, but the generation to come. It’s kind of like a down payment on the renewal of the Church that is very much needed and in some places is already beginning to take place.”

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December 5 – 6, 2020
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: Blessings to all of you in this season of Advent. As of November 30, the Appeal raised $1,244,850 in gifts and pledges toward the goal of $1,300,000. Every dollar raised goes directly to ministries that support our Catholic faith and is not used for any other purpose. Will you help these ministries meet their funding needs? Visit www.stcdio.org/appeal.

December 12 – 13, 2020
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: Blessings to you and those you love on this third Sunday of Advent. Our diocesan ministries are walking with you during these challenging times. Diocesan staff continue to reach out to parishes and advance ministries in new and creative ways. Our diocesan website has updates, spiritual resources and prayers at www.stcdio.org.

December 19 – 20, 2020
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: Blessings to you and those you love on this fourth Sunday of Advent. As we celebrate the birth of our savior, let us remember that even in difficult times there is much to be grateful for, and know that you are being lifted up in prayer. We are the Church together!

December 26 – 27, 2020
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: Christ is born! Our mission is to be His heart of mercy, voice of hope, and hands of justice. The ministries supported by the Bishop’s Annual Appeal are at the heart of this mission. They provide assistance, education and pastoral care to people throughout our diocese. Please consider a gift at www.stcdio.org/appeal.

January 2 – 3, 2021
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: Let us look with hope to the new year. May 2021 be a year that witnesses the vitality of our parishes within our Area Catholic Communities and the ability of our diocesan ministries to continue to touch the lives of the faithful in meaningful ways. More information at www.stcdio.org/appeal.

Downloadable Bulletin insert (PDF)

Downloadable Poster (PDF)



Join us as we move towards our $1.3 million goal
for the 2020 Bishop’s Annual Appeal.

$1,244,850 or 95.76% as of 11/29/20

This is through generous gifts from 8,599 donors.

Your generosity supports ministries at the core of the Church’s mission.

Thank you for discerning a gift to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.

Donate now