Bishop’s Annual Appeal
Ministries supporting our lives
A message from the Bishop
Dear friends,
At every Mass, the priest speaks these words: “Do this in memory of Me.”
Jesus spoke these same words at the Last Supper when he instituted the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, Christ becomes truly and fully present to us. It is a tremendous gift of sacrificial love that nourishes and transforms us. We are then sent forth into the world to bear witness to Jesus and His Good News.
The word “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving.” We give thanks by following Christ’s command to “do this in memory of Me.” These words also are the theme for the 2023 Bishop’s Annual Appeal. Another way we give thanks is by living out our diocese’s mission statement: to be Christ’s “heart of mercy, voice of hope and hands of justice.”
During my brief time in the diocese, I’ve already seen how the ministries of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal promote the Church’s mission by providing lifelong education, pastoral care and assistance to the people and parishes of our diocese. Your generosity supports the TV Mass for the homebound, faith formation opportunities, Catholic education, marriage preparation, multicultural outreach, and evangelization initiatives, such as the Eucharistic Revival.
I ask you to please prayerfully discern a gift to this year’s Appeal. I am very grateful for every gift made to these ministries, which benefit so many people in our 16-county diocese.
During this holy season of Lent, please pray for the continued success of parish and diocesan ministries to meet the spiritual needs of all God’s people. I look forward to meeting you in the months ahead and getting to know my new diocesan family!
God bless you,
+Patrick M. Neary, C.S.C.
Bishop of Saint Cloud
Ministries
The 2023 Bishop’s Annual Appeal goal is 1.4 millon.
Your generosity is essential for the continued support of the ministries
at the core of the Church’s mission and meeting the spiritual needs
of God’s people in our diocese.
This is through generous gifts from 7,316 donors.
Thank you for discerning a gift to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.
Annual Appeal Resources
December 2023 Bulletin Announcements
December 2 – 3, 2023
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: In this first week of Advent, please remember the diocesan ministries that, through your generosity, continue to build the Kingdom of God here in Central Minnesota. Please keep them thriving by making a gift at www.stcdio.org/annualappeal.
December 9 – 10, 2023
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: Blessings to you in this second week of Advent and thank you to those who have already supported diocesan ministries through the Appeal. As of November 20, the diocese has raised $1,362,478 in gifts and pledges toward the goal of $1,400,000, with gifts from 7,284 households. 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/annualappeal.
December 16 – 17, 2023
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: Blessings to you in this third week of Advent as we remember the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus. As you celebrate this season, please consider supporting diocesan ministries with a year-end gift. To donate, visit www.stcdio.org/annualappeal or mail to: Bishop’s Annual Appeal, P.O. Box 1538, St. Cloud, MN 56302.
December 23 – 24, 2023
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: Blessings to you in this fourth week of Advent as we contemplate the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”
Please take a moment to pray for the people of our diocese and all who serve to build the Kingdom of God here in Central Minnesota.
December 30 – 31, 2023
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: The Diocesan TV Mass has been a lifeline for the homebound. Other diocesan ministries continue their work in support of faith formation, family life, Catholic schools, multicultural ministries, evangelization and vocational discernment. Will you help keep these ministries strong? Visit www.stcdio.org/annualappeal.
