Annual Catholic Appeal
Jesus Christ tells us that he came that we might have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). We have much, and like Jesus, we have much to give. And the more we share the gifts that come to us from God, the more we receive. Your participation in the Annual Catholic Appeal is an opportunity to share your faith during this Year of Faith.
Bishop Mark L. Bartchak
ACA Overview
As the campaign progresses, the ACA Parish Progress Report will be updated on the "Diocesan Mailing" page.
Parish Goals may be viewed here.
Click here to view a summary of diocesan revenue and expenses: Where Does Your ACA Gift Go?
How To Participate
You may make your credit/debit card gift online by clicking on the blue "Donate" icon above. To mail in your gift, please print this ACA Pledge Card.
We also offer an electronic funds transfer (EFT) option with monthly payments from your checking account. Please complete and return our EFT Authorization Form. Since 2004, we have successfully processed 19,500 monthly withdrawals with a total gift value of $826,000 while saving the diocese $14,000 in printing and postage expenses alone.
For all ACA or Development questions, please call (814) 695-5577 or e-mail giving@dioceseaj.org.
Campaign History
While calls for supporting the Church can be traced to both the Old and New Testament accounts, the current diocesan annual campaign began more than 30 years ago with the Diocesan Development Fund (DDF) in 1980.. The DDF was temporarily suspended during Bishop Hogan's Silver Anniversary capital campaign of 1985-1987.
In 1988 the Diocesan Finance Council and Presbyteral (Priests') Council re-established the campaign as an assessment to partially fund new diocesan ministries.
The ACA launches in Lent when the diocesan bishop invites 35,000 registered families and individuals to support diocesan ministries. All gifts received through December 31 are credited toward each parish's goal. The ACA only becomes an assessment if the parish falls short of its goal.
Parishes keep 100% of "over goal" receipts for immediate needs such as renovations, seed money for new ministriesendowments or physical plant deferred maintance projects to name a few. To learn how Diocesan and parish campaign goals are calculated, please click here.
Promotional expenses for the ACA are held to fewer than 3¢ for every dollar raised. This means that 97% of your gift directly supports many essential ministries and those among us who depend on them for spiritual nourishment or temporal assistance. Only through the generosity of all Catholics are the Diocesan ministries able to advance the mission of Jesus Christ to their maximum potential.
New or additional gifts may be made through your parish, or through the Development Office by using this ACA Pledge Card. We are grateful for your ongoing support!
PARISH APPEAL RESOURCES
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Parishes can request an electronic version of our ACA Reporting Form by sending a request to giving@dioceseaj.org.
Parish Campaign Guidebook (PDF)
