Catholics in the 12-county Diocese of Rochester have donated nearly $5 million toward the $5.7 million Catholic Ministries Appeal goal for 2011-12.
According to Dave Kelly, appeal coordinator, as of Jan. 25 the appeal had received commitments totaling $4,946,602 from 29,474 donors. Kelly said this represents 86.6 percent of the diocesan goal, adding that the appeal is currently moving at approximately the same pace as last year’s CMA, which raised a record $5.2 million.
"We will soon eclipse the $5 million mark for the fifth year in a row," Kelly noted.
The 2011-12 CMA, with a theme of "The Power of Many … Stronger As One," will run through May 31. CMA gifts may be made by mail, with parish-provided envelopes or online. Checks, credit cards, electronic-fund transfers and appreciated securities are all accepted. For further details, contact the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Communications at 585-328-3228, ext. 1297, or e-mail dkelly@dor.org.
Among the many areas positively influenced by CMA funding are children's and adult faith formation; sacramental preparation; youth ministry and Catholic Youth Organization activities; Catholic Charities and its 10 regional offices; Catholic schools; campus and young-adult ministry; hospital chaplaincy and inmate programs; outreach to migrant farm workers and their families; promotion of priestly vocations; Pope Benedict XVI's ministries and those of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; parish support ministries; technological support and expansion; promotion of the consistent-life ethic; interreligious and ecumenical collaboration and dialogue; marriage preparation; formation for people who wish to become Catholic; and Pastoral Center operations and services.
