Pastor's Letter: Annual Catholic Appeal

Dear Parishioners,

It is that time of year for the Spokane Diocese's Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) and this weekend is "Commitment Sunday" to kick off ACA 2022. Please donate to help our parishes reach their goals.

The Catholic Church here in Eastern Washington is home to communities of many dedicated lay people, committed volunteers, and hardworking priests, deacons, and religious orders. By supporting the Annual Catholic Appeal, you are showing your support for the works of our diocese – and you are strengthening our faith as the body of Christ. 

It’s through these ministries and services that we continue the work toward the mission of the Catholic 

Church in Eastern Washington. The support of each one of us is essential for the realization of our diocesan mission. Please prayerfully consider a gift to the Annual Catholic Appeal. Your support will help us continue the vital ministries that Christ himself is calling us to do. 

As you may realize each parish is assigned an ACA goal that is based on a percentage of the annual collections for each parish. The goals for our parishes are as follows: St. Mary’s $23,225, Holy Ghost $5,675 and Sacred Heart $2,746. If the goal is not reached then the remainder is taken out of our ordinary income. I understand that St. Mary’s did not meet their ACA last year and we had to make that up from our operating expenses. I would hope that St. Mary’s will make its goal this year. I thank the other parishes for making their goal last year and do hope they can make their goals again for 2022.

These are the ACA beneficiaries: Office of the Bishop, Vocations Office, Priest Retirement, Diocese of Spokane Seminarians, Catholic Schools Office (directs and supports our Catholic parochial schools), Campus Ministry - Newman Centers on EWU and WSU, Parish and School Support, Hispanic Ministry, Vietnamese Ministry, Native American Missions of the Diocese of Spokane, Office of Evangelization, Office of Communications, Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, Jail/Prison Ministry, Tribunal, Administrative costs/staffing at the chancery.

Please be generous! Everyone registered with the Diocese should have received an envelope to mail in a donation. Brochures are also available at each parish. You can drop that in the mail or in the collection basket at mass. Also donate online at www.dioceseofspokane.org/make-a-donation