Bishop's Annual Appeal - Diocese of Saint Cloud

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.

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.”

Bishop's Annual Appeal Parish Bulletin Announcements
2020 Bishop’s Annual Appeal Bulletin Insert/Poster

Bishop's Annual Appeal Parish Bulletin Announcements

January 23 – 24, 2021

Bishop’s Annual Appeal 2021: The 2021 Appeal launches in February.

Announcement Weekend is February 6-7: You will receive bulletin inserts highlighting diocesan ministries and be asked to consider a gift to support these ministries on Commitment Weekend.
Commitment Weekend is February 13-14: This is your opportunity to support diocesan ministries with a 2021 gift to the appeal. You may bring the envelope you receive in the mail or use a response envelope that will be provided at Mass. Both will be gratefully received in the offertory.

January 30 – 31, 2021

Bishop’s Annual Appeal: Next week is Announcement Weekend. We ask you to please take a moment to consider how diocesan ministries such as the TV Mass and ministries related to Catholic education, family life and evangelization impact your faith journey. Please reflect on our mission to be His heart of mercy, voice of hope, and hands of justice.

February 6 – 7, 2021
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: This is Announcement Weekend for the 2021 Bishop’s Annual Appeal. Please take this opportunity to consider your gift and the many ministries that are only available through your generosity. Next week, you can make a gift with envelopes that will be provided at Mass, or bring the envelope many of you will receive in the mail this week. Each dollar raised goes directly to ministries that support our Catholic faith and is not used for any other purpose.

February 13 – 14, 2021
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: “Gifts Offered by Human Hands.” The appeal supports ministries that benefit you, your family and your greater parish community. Please make a gift today. Each dollar raised goes directly to ministries that support our Catholic faith and is not used for any other purpose.

February 20 – 21, 2021
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: Thank you to everyone who responded to Commitment Weekend with a gift for ministries supporting our lives. If you haven’t yet made a gift, you can bring your envelope to Mass, visit www.stcdio.org/annualappeal or mail a gift to: Bishop’s Annual Appeal, PO Box 1538, St. Cloud, MN 56302.

February 27 – 28, 2021
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: The Bishop’s Annual Appeal proudly supports youth religious education in the diocese. Your generosity helps make this possible. Please support the 2021 Bishop’s Annual Appeal: www.stcdio.org/annualappeal. Each dollar raised goes directly to ministries that support our Catholic faith and is not used for any other purpose.