Catholic Charities Appeal of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
To live as a Missionary Disciple is to recognize the needs around us and respond with compassionate charity. As Christ reminds us, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” This mission comes to life through the support provided by the Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Last year, approximately $8.41 million was contributed by 22,297 generous donors who came together to support over 100 charitable ministries conducted by our local Church. These programs and the people who bring them to life share Christ’s love with our neighbors in need by providing food, shelter, education, and compassionate care across our fivecounty region.
Your gift to CCA makes you a part of that witness. Thank you! Because of your kindness, families received nourishing meals and individuals found support as they worked toward healing. Children with special needs were welcomed into schools where they were cared for in an understanding environment that supports growth. Those without stable housing found a safe place to rest. These are just a few of the many real examples of compassionate care made possible by you.
I invite you to see how your faith is at work through the voices of the ministries supported by CCA in this year’s Annual Impact Report. Their words demonstrate how lives are changed because of your support.
Thank you for the ways you continue to live out your faith. You are Giving Hope to All and sharing Christ’s love with individuals in the Greater Philadelphia region who need it most and rely on our ministries and services each year. Be assured of my prayers for you and your loved ones. I am grateful for you and your continued witness. May God bless you abundantly.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D. Archbishop of Philadelphia
To live as a Missionary Disciple is to recognize the needs before us and to respond with a generous heart.”
– Most
Reverend
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, D.D.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia
The Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia supports and sustains more than 100 vital ministries and programs that bring Christ’s love to those in need. Reaching every corner of the five-county metropolitan area, CCA provides food, shelter, education, and care, bringing tangible hope to those most in need.
Total Amount Raised: $8,417,080
22,297 NUMBER OF UNIQUE DONORS
35,705 NUMBER OF GIFTS
1,278 NEW DONORS (6% of all donors) $229.80 AVERAGE GIFT
HOW YOUR GIFT IS USED
Social Services
Evangelization, Parish, & Spiritual Life
Special Education
Local Mission Parishes
Retired and Infirmed Priests
24 PARISHES OVER GOAL
YOUR GENEROSITY SUPPORTS
133
Retired & Infirmed Priests
2.4M Meals Provided
Food Cupboards, Emergency Food Distributions & Sites
22 Mission Parishes that carry on the work of Missionary Discipleship
50 140+
Students Receive Tuition Assistance to Attend Schools of Special Education
Catholic Charities of Philadelphia is the heart of the Church’s mission in action, serving as a lifeline to over 200,000 neighbors annually. Through a comprehensive range of services—including support for intellectual and developmental disabilities, services to youth and families, support for those experiencing housing insecurity, senior services, and food assistance—Catholic Charities of Philadelphia stands as a beacon of hope for all those in need.
The Catholic Charities Appeal support strengthens the work of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia— helping feed the hungry and provide safe housing, support at‑risk children and families, enrich the lives of seniors, and empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Together, your generosity helps turn faith into action for our neighbors most in need.”
-
Heather Huot, Secretary & Executive Vice President, Catholic Charities of Philadelphia
YOUR CCA DONATIONS HELP CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF PHILADELPHIA SERVE:
2.4 MILLION meals
5,000 Family Service Center Helpline calls
329 homeless men, women, and children housed
1,200 senior community center visits
135 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the Fatima Day Program
Evangelization, Parish, & Spiritual Life
The ministry areas of Evangelization, Parish, and Spiritual Life are at the heart of our local Church. Through these ministries, individuals and families are invited to encounter Jesus Christ, deepen their faith, and grow as missionary disciples. Support provided by the Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia helps foster vibrant communities and create opportunities for prayer, formation, and belonging across our five-county region.
Support from the Catholic Charities Appeal strengthens the Catholic Church of Philadelphia’s Secretariat for Evangelization to continue the work of Missionary Discipleship, empowering our ministries to spread Christ’s love, provide opportunities for faith formation, and create inclusive spaces for all.”
- Most Reverend Efren V. Esmilla, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
NEARLY 100 migrant and refugee communities supported through food, housing, legal, and employment assistance
400 families receive food from Saint Benedict Food Pantry each week
Immigration Legal Services, a ministry of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, supports African, Haitian, Brazilian, and Indonesian communities
Special Education
Rooted in the belief that every child is uniquely gifted, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia provides a continuum of special education services that honor each student’s abilities, talents, and spirit. Across all school divisions, these programs ensure that a Catholic education remains accessible, inclusive, and responsive to diverse learning needs.
CCA support strengthens our mission to provide an authentically Catholic education for all, recognizing each student as created in the image of God and that every learner is welcomed, supported, and formed in faith.”
– Jen Tuberosa, Chief Marketing and Advancement Officer for Secondary Schools and Schools of Special Education
Individualized learning plans tailored to each student’s needs
148 students served by three schools
MORE THAN 60% of students receive financial assistance
Local Mission Parishes
Among the 214 parishes across the Catholic Church of Philadelphia, 22 mission parishes, including Saint Laurence Parish, are strengthened by support provided by the Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. This assistance helps sustain parish operations and supports each community’s ability to provide pastoral care, sacramental life, faith formation, and outreach to those they serve.
Catholic faith-integrated curriculum
At Saint Laurence, we strive to serve parishioners from very different backgrounds, cultures, and financial situations while remaining one united parish family. Through support provided by the Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA), Saint Laurence is able to serve our community faithfully in three languages and continue building a parish where every person can encounter Christ and know they belong.”
– Father Thomas Whittingham, Pastor, Saint Laurence Parish
Retired and Infirmed Priests
The Office of the Vicar for Retired and Infirmed Priests provides dignified care for priests who are retired and/ or facing health and wellness challenges. In partnership with Villa Saint Joseph, a residence for retired priests, this ministry supports their physical, emotional, and spiritual welfare while honoring their faithful service to the Church and Her people.
The Appeal is the number one financial support of our efforts to care for our retired and infirmed priests. At Villa Saint Joseph, our residents benefit from full‑time residential nursing, dining, transportation services to doctor appointments, and so much more that is possible due to the Catholic Charities Appeal.”
- Monsignor Daniel Sullivan, Vicar for Retired and Infirmed Priests
The call of Giving Hope to All comes to life each day through the generosity, prayers, and compassion of our local Church. Thank you for supporting the 2025 Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia through your faithful encouragement and the many ways you help strengthen this work. Through your commitment, individuals across our region received compassionate care, stability, encouragement, and hope through ministries and programs supported by CCA.
I remain truly grateful for the generosity and faithfulness of our local Church and for all who continue to support this shared work. Together, we help make Christ’s love visible in our communities each and every day, bringing hope and dignity to those most in need and ensuring that God’s love is seen and felt by all.
Sheila Rizzo Chief Stewardship and Development Officer The Catholic Church of Philadelphia
