January 10, 2002

                                                          NEWS RELEASE
                                                                                                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                                                                     For More Information, Contact:
                                                                                                     Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
                                                                                                      bbunce@archdpdx.org

ARCHBISHOP'S CATHOLIC APPEAL HELPS "PARTNERS IN MISSION"

        The Archdiocese of Portland will conduct the annual Archbishop's Catholic Appeal
on Sunday, February 3rd. The theme for this year's Appeal is "Partners in Mission." The
Archbishop's Catholic Appeal serves as a reminder that each Catholic is both a member
of an individual parish and a member of the larger Church. There are many ministries
and apostolic works that reach beyond the resources and boundaries of any single
parish. Catholics enable nearly 140 ministries and services throughout the Archdiocese
of Portland and throughout the wider Church by their support of the Archbishop's
Catholic Appeal.

        The goal for the 2002 Archbishop's Catholic Appeal is $2,550,000. In 2001, the
Archbishop's Catholic Appeal received pledges of more than $2,750,000 on last year's
goal of $2,425,500. In 2001, 21,864 households pledged a donation to the Appeal.
The Archdiocese is hoping to increase participation to 27,000 households this year.

        Among the ministries supported by the Archbishop's Catholic Appeal are Catholic
elementary and secondary schools, which receive grants providing tuition assistance to
students who would be unable to afford a Catholic education. Campus Ministry assists
Catholic students attending one of nine universities and colleges in western Oregon.
Campus Ministry provides an opportunity for students to meet their spiritual, liturgical,
educational and social needs while attending college. Grants are provided to support
youth ministry. Support is given for parish youth programs and staff and various
service, conference and retreat programs.

        Outreach to others is at the root of the Archbishop's Catholic Appeal. Support is
given for Catholic ministry among ethnic groups in the Archdiocese. Grants from the
Appeal assist program development and staffing at twenty-five Hispanic parish
communities and at the Southeast Asian Vicariate. The Appeal provides grants to help
support various apostolic works such as ministry to the aging, religious and adult
education, ministry formation, parish social ministry, ministry to those imprisoned, pro-
life activities and family life grants. The Appeal also supports the Disciples in Mission
evangelization efforts in the Archdiocese. This process fosters spiritual renewal and
places the missionary dimension at the heart of the parish.

        The Archbishop's Catholic Appeal helps support the priests who minister within
the Archdiocese. The Appeal provides funding for the continuing education of priests
and supports Archdiocesan efforts toward vocations. An annual subsidy is made
available for the continuing care of our retired priests and those who are on sick leave.

        The Parish Grants are a popular effort of the Appeal. Seventeen grants were
awarded in 2001. The Parish Grants support training and special ministry efforts for
individual parishes or groups of parishes. In 2001, Archbishop's Catholic Appeal Parish
Grants were awarded to: St. Joseph parish in Salem, Christ the King in Milwaukie, St.
Thomas More University Parish in Eugene (2), South Coast Vicariate, Mid-Willamette
Valley Vicariate, St. Mary's Cathedral, St. Mark's in Eugene, Sacred Heart parish in
Medford, St. Frederic parish in St. Helens, Holy Redeemer parish in Portland, St.
Joseph's in Roseburg, St. Francis Xavier parish in Sutherlin, St. Cyril's in Wilsonville,
Queen of Peace in Salem, Sacred Heart parish in Tillamook and a joint grant to St.
Henry - Gresham, St. Peter and St. Rita parishes in Portland.

        The Archbishop's Catholic Appeal helps the Archdiocese of Portland minister
locally and within the wider Church. All Catholics are encouraged to prayerfully
consider joining in this community effort by contributing generously to the 2002
Archbishop's Catholic Appeal.
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