Frequently Asked Questions

Why is giving part of our faith?

Archbishop Flynn teaches us:

God is the giver of all good gifts. Everything we have comes from God.  The air that we breathe, the water that we drink, the land on which we walk—it’s all given to us as gift from God.

We most closely imitate Christ when we give. Jesus poured out His life in service and in sacrifice. Giving is at the core of our faith. And we give back to the Lord in gratitude for all that He has given to us.

What do the Sacred Scriptures say about giving?

God continually calls us to give. The gospels are filled with examples of giving.  God calls us to give through:

  • The words and example of Jesus Christ, who poured out His life for us
  • The widow who gave her last coin; she was destitute and yet she gave of her substance, not of her abundance
  • The Acts of the Apostles, who describe the early Church as gathering and giving.  Giving seems to have been essential to the very nature of the Church.

Why should I give to the Archbishop’s Annual Catholic Appeal? 

Archbishop Flynn said:

The Church is the presence of Jesus Christ in the world.  And we need to ask ourselves the question—do we believe that or not?  If we believe it, we would want the Church to flourish and we would want the Church to extend Herself to many, many peoples throughout the world.

We are all a part of the Catholic Church—the Church universal.  When we work together as a wider Church, we can accomplish much more than we ever could alone. 

How is my gift to the Archbishop’s Annual Catholic Appeal used?

Your gift to the Appeal helps:

  • To educate the young about Jesus Christ in our Catholic Schools
  • To assist young men and women who are discerning their vocation to the priesthood or religious life
  • To educate young men studying for the priesthood
  • To reach out to the Hispanic community, which is growing tremendously in this Archdiocese
  • To provide priests to minister to our brothers and sisters in Venezuela
  • To develop strong families and protect the unborn through the office of Marriage, Family, Laity, Youth and Young Adults

How does my parish benefit from the Appeal?

Each parish receives at least 25% of the funds raised through the Appeal. Those that reach their parish goal receive back a greater percentage.  These funds are used to support parish faith formation programs and educational efforts.

How much should I give?

Consider giving at least 1% of your total giving to support the Archdiocese—our 12-county area and our Archdiocesan mission in Venezuela.  The average gift to the Appeal last year was $119, representing an annual income of $11,900.  How does your income compare and how does your gift compare?

How is the Archdiocese working to become a better steward of these gifts?

The Archdiocese has worked in the past, and is working always, to become a better steward of these gifts.  We use these gifts under the good advice of the Finance Councils and under the good advice of collaborators in the area of administration.  We use these gifts always knowing that we are accountable for how they are stewarded.

What is my parish’s goal?

View your parish's goal.

What is the difference between the Annual Catholic Appeal and the Growing In Faith Capital Campaign?  And how do they differ from the Catholic Community Foundation? 

There are many ways to provide financial support to the Church.  All methods are necessary and important, but each has a different objective.

  • The Archbishop’s Annual Catholic Appeal – Yearly collection to help cover the general operating and program expenses of Archdiocesan programs.  The goal – typically about $10 million annually – is to get broad participation from all registered Catholics to support the work of the Church, as overseen by the Archbishop.
  • Growing In Faith (GIF) Capital Campaign – A one-time, multi-year program to raise money for specific extraordinary expenses.  The GIF campaign was launched in 2001 with a goal to raise $115 million to strengthen parishes ($20 million), enhance Catholic education ($15 million), provide for retired priests ($13 million), build the Community Growth Partnership ($50 million), assist Catholic Charities ($7 million), and replace the Cathedral roof ($10 million). 
  • Catholic Community Foundation – Gives donors the means and flexibility to choose the causes they want to support today and in perpetuity – including their parish, school or other Catholic organization.  CCF assists donors with planned giving on their timetable and to fulfill their charitable intent.   By establishing a fund with CCF, donors are able to leave a legacy for generations to come.  CCF holds an endowment for the benefit of the Annual Catholic Appeal.  We encourage you to consider making a gift in your will or estate plan to this endowment. You may do so by giving your attorney this bequest language:

I/we the undersigned, give (a percent or a dollar amount) of my/our estate to the:
Catholic Community Foundation -
in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
for the Annual Catholic Appeal Endowment – Fund #52501. 
Tax ID #41-1744184