CSA annual report

ANNUAL REPORT 2022 CATHOLIC SERVICE APPEAL ackson

Catholic Diocese of Jackson

SEMINARIAN EDUCATION

Dear Friends in Christ,

Your generous support of the 2022 Catholic Service Appeal was very encouraging to me, as well as to all who serve in our ministries supported by the annual appeal. It brings me great joy that the 2,615 families who contributed to the Catholic Service Appeal raised $1,078,245. Thank you for sharing the blessings that God has provided to you in order to fully fund the 14 ministries supported by the annual appeal.

Please know that each gift has made a difference. In turn, know that we have been good stewards with the money that you have entrusted to us. The accompanying breakdown of our annual report provides an overview of all of the ministries where every gift was directed and every dollar accounted for.

Your prayers and generosity always make a difference, and you have made an impact in the lives of those supported by these ministries. Let us faithfully remember one another in prayer and all whom we serve through the annual Catholic Service Appeal.

Most Sincerely Yours in Christ,

$ 175,000

As each of our nine seminarians move closer to ordination. Your gift to the appeal helps with the cost of tuition, books and health insurance as these men prepare to become a priest in our diocese. The Office of Vocations helps to guide those who are discerning a call to a life of serving the church. It is through prayer and your support that people are responding to God’s call.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

$ 325,000

As the minors from worn torn countries and victims of human trafficking seek shelter and safety. Catholic Charities provides foster care giving them a place to call home through the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor program. Since 1963 Catholic Charities has been a visible sign of Christ’s love to those who are unable to help themselves.

RETIRED PRIESTS

$ 125,000

We have the honor of supporting our 23 retired priests by providing assistance through supplemental health insurance, long term care needs and other important services required. As they continue to serve our diocese.

YOUTH MINISTRY $ 40,000

Our youth live in a diocese that is only 3% Catholic. Youth Ministry allows our Catholic youth to gather at retreats and conferences, so they interact with other Catholic youth, engage in their faith and learn the importance of developing a relationship with God. The Youth Office assists youth ministers around the diocese so that our Catholic youth are engaged in their faith.

Most Reverend Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz

You Made a Difference! Through the annual Catholic Service Appeal, you become the ‘Hope Rising’ by providing support to those in need. You impact their lives through your giving and your prayers.

The Clergy Assistance Program provides care to our priests above and beyond what medical care and salaries may cover. You support those who continue to serve our church.

Operating Grants are made possible by your donations to the CSA. These grants give support to our smaller parishes and financially struggling parishes by providing priest and staff salaries, operating expenses and faith formation programs. These grants also provide support to our Catholic Schools to help with tuition assistance, teacher salaries and curriculum needs.

Through your gifts the Office of Intercultural Ministry works with Black, Hispanic, Vietnamese and Native American Catholics in our diocese to develop leadership, celebrate diverse cultures and strengthen parish engagement.

The Office of Communications, through Mississippi Catholic, provides both print and digital Catholic news to all parishioners in our diocese. It is a way for Bishop Kopacz to evangelize throughout the diocese and to deliver local, national and worldwide Catholic news to all parishioners in particular those who are home bound. It is a way to help them to continue to be connected to their faith.

The Permanent Diaconate program supports men who are currently in spiritual enrichment and formation preparing to be ordained as a deacon to serve our church. Currently, our diocese has seven men in formation who will be ordained in 2026. At this time, we have 13 active deacons and one retired deacon.

Your support of Campus Ministry reaches out to our young adults at college. They were able to continue to practice their faith with believers who also have a desire to live out a Catholic Christian lifestyle through Bible studies, spiritual growth opportunities, Mass and social events.

You help to bring people into a closer relationship with God through educational and experiential opportunities for encounter. Parish volunteers become certified catechists so they can work with adults and youth. Our parish lay ministers and Catholic School teachers who are involved in catechesis, RCIA, liturgy, lay ecclesial ministry, pastoral ministry receive training, certification and retreats to help them better serve our parishes and schools.

The Family Ministry Office works with couples preparing for the sacrament of matrimony by offering programs that support couples, families and individuals by way of marriage preparation, remarriage preparation enrichment, divorce support and Natural Family Planning. Their goal is to strengthen the vocation of marriage for those entering a lifelong commitment.

You spoke and we listened. During the synod process the need for a young adult ministry was mentioned often. This newly established ministry will give our young adults a place in our parishes to continue to grow in their faith beyond college.

Message from the Stewardship and Development Director

As we begin the 2023 Catholic Service Appeal, let us prayerfully remember the 14 ministries that are supported by the annual Appeal and the people that are served by these ministries. I ask you to remember all of those throughout the diocese who work in each of these ministries. May God continue to give them wisdom in their service to others.

As your review the annual report I hope you find inspiration in the work that is being done. These are the central ministries of our diocese and each is important to our Catholic faith. Throughout the Synod process parishioners throughout the diocese voiced their opinions of how these ministries need to grow and flourish in our church.

Our theme for this year is ‘Hope Rising.’ With your gift to the CSA, you become the Hope Rising to those served by the Appeal.

Bishop Kopacz mailed letters to all parishioners in the diocese asking you to support the Catholic Service Appeal. If you did not receive your letter, please do not hesitate to contact the Catholic Service Appeal Office. You can also make your gift online by scanning the QR code below with your mobile phone or you can go to csa.jacksondiocese.org. You may also give your gift during the second collection that will take place the weekend of February 11-12.

If you have any questions please call Rebecca Harris (601) 9608477.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Harris

Ways to Give:

The Communion of Saints Leadership Gift Societies

The Bishop’s Circle is a community of benefactors who take a leadership role in the work of the church through the Catholic Service Appeal. As a member, you pledge to become partners in a shared vision for the future of the Diocese of Jackson as you set an example of good stewardship and reach out with love to people and ministries in need of your assistance.

ST. JOSEPH CIRCLE OF FAITH....................$10,000 OR MORE

Faith requires a strong, unshakeable and sincere belief in something meaningful.

ST. PETER CLAVER CIRCLE OF HOPE.........$7,500 TO $9,999

Hope is a gift from God and your actions of giving reach out to people and ministries in need of your assistance.

ST. TERESA OF AVILA CIRCLE OF CHARITY..........$5,000 TO $7,499

An act of charity is a true expression of benevolence and is at the heart of humanity.

ST. FAUSTINA CIRCLE OF MERCY...............$3,500 TO $4,999

To be merciful is to show compassion for others, especially the least, the last and the lost in our society.

ST. THOMAS OF AQUINAS CIRCLE OF WISDOM.........$2,500 TO $3,499

Wisdom is a true understanding of our whole life and all our actions are for God’s honor and glory.

ST. MARTIN DE PORRES CIRCLE OF FORTITUDE........$1,500 TO $2,499

To have fortitude shows an understanding that action must be taken to be good stewards with the gifts that God has so graciously shared with us.

ST. NICHOLAS CIRCLE OF GENEROSITY.................$1,000 TO $1,499

Generosity requires an unselfish spirit and reflects a warm sympathetic nature.

ST. BERNADETTE CIRCLE OF GRATITUDE......$500 TO $999

Gratitude is a way of expressing one’s appreciation for all God has given.

ST. JUAN DIEGO CIRCLE OF FRIENDS..............$250 TO $499

Friends support and share the Bishop’s vision for the services and ministries of our diocese.

Catholic Service Appeal distributed $ 1,078,245 to parishes, schools, and ministries throughout the Diocese of Jackson