About the Appeal

Annual Catholic Appeal Goal

The goal for the 2008 Archbishop’s Annual Catholic Appeal is $9.3 million. This goal is shared by our 217 parishes in our 12-county area.

For parishioners, the Archbishop’s Annual Catholic Appeal opens a wide door of opportunity to be partners in the great enterprise of making Jesus known and loved. Through our gifts, we can be the heart and hands of Jesus, reaching out to our community and our world.

The Church is the presence of Jesus Christ in the world, and when we give, we extend the ministry of the Church, touching the lives of thousands.

Parish Benefit

At least 25% of what is raised by your parish for the Appeal is returned directly to your parish to use for educational efforts and faith formation.

Archbishop Flynn's Message

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

This probably will be the last time I will be writing to you and asking for your generosity for the Archbishop's Annual Catholic Appeal. Every bishop must hand in his resignation at the age of 75, and I will be 75 on May 2, 2008. As we have a Coadjutor Archbishop in waiting, Archbishop John Nienstedt, I imagine that May 2, 2008, will be the effective date of my retirement.

Therefore, I write to you once again asking you to respond generously to the needs of this local Church.

God has been so very good to all of us and it is for us to respond to that good God by giving Him some of the very best that we have-Offering our best to the Lord.

You have been extremely generous through the years, and I ask our God to bless you and your families and ask that you will have the grace always to remember to go back and give thanks to that God for His goodness to you

With every blessing and every good wish,
I remain Sincerely yours in Christ,

Reverend Harry J. Flynn, D.D.
Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

About Our Theme

Offering Our Best to the Lord is our Archbishop’s Annual Catholic Appeal theme for 2008. 

An act of faith that every one of us should make every day is that of believing everything we have is a gift from God. Our good God has given us everything – the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe and the life of faith we live.

If we can habitually look at everything this way – as a gift – it will change the manner in which we use those gifts. By thinking of all as gift from God, we will change the way we treat others as well as our overall outlook on life.

God gives to us in so many different ways so that we may in turn make the name of Jesus Christ known and loved. We need to continually remind ourselves that God has given us so very, very much and we need to ask ourselves: How are we going to take these gifts we have been given and offer back to the Lord the very best we have?

Chair Couple Message

Dear Friends in Christ,

We are Rodger and Marjorie Mountain and have been members of Nativity of Our Lord for more than 50 years. We are blessed with six children and fourteen grandchildren. We are honored to be the Chair Couple for the 2008 Archbishop's Annual Catholic Appeal.

Rodger and Marjorie Mountain

We have been Appeal volunteers for fifteen years and have been able to see the many varied recipients of the Appeal, including: St. Joseph's Home for Children, the Seminaries, Catholic Charities, Catholic Education and the Hispanic Ministries Office. We have also attended many of the excellent programs presented by The Office for Family, Laity, Youth and Young Adults.

One of our goals for the 2008 Appeal is to increase the number of participants from each parish. Every contribution is important! The goal is $9.3 million dollars and at least 25% of the amount collected is returned to your parish.

We thank you very much for your previous support and ask you to prayerfully consider your 2008 gift to the Appeal. Let us all offer our best to the Lord.

Rodger and Marjorie Mountain
Chair Couple
2008 Archbishop’s Annual Catholic Appeal
Church of the Nativity of Our Lord, St. Paul, Minnesota

The Archbishop's Circle

Parishioners can participate in the work of the wider Church in a special way by becoming part of the Archbishop's Circle. Partners in faith believe that local Catholics can touch the lives of thousands when they unite in a spirit of stewardship through the Annual Catholic Appeal.

Levels of Giving

  • Benefactor: $10,000 and above
  • Leader: $5,000 - $9,999
  • Steward: $1,500 - $4,999

In Appreciation

Those participating in the Archbishop's Circle receive:

  • An invitation to a morning of retreat and noon luncheon with Archbishop Flynn. Invitations are mailed in the spring.
  • Special communications from Archbishop Flynn, including regular issues of the "Archbishop's Update" newsletter
  • A limited edition, hand-painted Christmas ornament featuring an historic church in the Archdiocese

Benefactors and Leaders

In addition, Leaders and Benefactors are invited to a special Mass at the Archbishop's residence, followed by brunch or dinner. Invitations are mailed in the fall.