DATE: January 25, 2001
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org
ANNUAL APPEAL HELPS "OPEN WIDE THE DOORS TO CHRIST"
The Archdiocese of Portland will conduct its Annual Catholic Appeal on
Sunday,
February 11th. The theme for the Annual
Catholic Appeal continues the theme from the
Jubilee year "Open Wide the Doors." The
Annual Catholic Appeal was established to
raise the consciousness of every Catholic
in the Archdiocese of Portland that in addition
to being members of an individual parish
Catholics are members of the Church
universal. There are many apostolic works
and ministries that are beyond the
resources of any single parish. Through
the Annual Catholic Appeal Catholics enable
nearly 140 ministries and services throughout
the Archdiocese of Portland and in the
wider Church.
The goal for the 2001 Annual Catholic Appeal is $2,425,500. In 2000 the
Annual
Catholic Appeal received pledges of more
that $2,700,000, which was 123% of the
$2,205,000 goal. Last year 22,726 households
pledged donations to the Appeal. The
Archdiocese is hoping that the participation
rate will reach 27,000 households this year.
Ninety-six parishes met their parish goal
in 2000, which was up from 69 parishes in
1999.
Among the ministries supported by the Annual Catholic Appeal are ministries
of
education. Catholic elementary and secondary
schools receive grants for tuition
assistance to students who would be unable
to afford a Catholic education. Campus
Ministry supports services to Catholic
students attending one of nine universities and
colleges in western Oregon. Grants are
also given to support youth ministry, adult
religious education, and scholarships
to assist the training of parish lay ministers.
Outreach to others is at the root of the
Annual Catholic Appeal. Three inner-city
parishes receive support from the Appeal.
Support is given for Catholic ministry to
ethnic groups in the Archdiocese, to those
who are aging, for people with disabilities,
for family life grants, parish social
ministry and for those imprisoned, and numerous
other church organizations. The Appeal
helps support the needs of retired priests as
well as help with expenses for priests
on medical leave. The Appeal also helps
support the Church's vocation efforts.
Disciples in Mission, the evangelization process beginning throughout the
Archdiocese, is supported by the Annual
Catholic Appeal. Ninety-four parishes and
missions are planning to launch Disciples
in Mission this coming Lenten Season. The
Disciples in Mission process helps parishes
integrate Sunday liturgies, small faith-
sharing groups, catechesis, family activities
and parish planning into a parish-wide
experience of evangelization.
The Annual Catholic Appeal again supported grants to parishes, and groups
of
parishes, for special ministries through
the Parish Grant process. In 2000, nineteen
parish grants were awarded. Included among
these Annual Catholic Appeal Parish
Grants were one to St. Francis Xavier
Church, Sutherlin, to open a community kitchen
to serve poor families; to St. Pius X
& St. Elizabeth Ann Seton - Portland, St. Anthony -
Tigard and St. Matthew - Hillsboro to
expand their presence and ministry at four
migrant camps; to the Southern Oregon
Vicariate to fund retreats to promote social
justice education among business leaders
of the congregations; to the Eugene &
Springfield Vicariate to fund Spanish
Cursillos, Sacrament classes in Spanish and
scholarships for ministry training; and
to St. Mary parish in Albany to distribute a parish
video for evangelization.
The Annual Catholic Appeal helps the Archdiocese of Portland minister locally
and
to the wider Church. All Catholics are
encouraged to prayerfully consider joining in this
community support effort by generously
contributing to the 2001 Annual Catholic
Appeal.
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