The Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA)

The Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) funds important work in the diocese to keep our ministries alive and functioning. Remember we are part of a bigger church and that we are citizens of the kingdom of God and what it means to practice Catholic stewardship. What benefits the greater church benefits us individually and as a parish. The budget allocations for the 2025/26 campaign are as follows:

9%

• Serving the needy through Catholic Charities which helps people meet basic needs, advance economic security, and strengthen their families. Our local Catholic Charities office helps the needy in many ways some of which are the free clothing closet, providing personal care items and emergency financial assistance.

32%

• Providing diocesan wide services to our parishes and related institutions through liturgical, urban, rural, and multicultural programs and ministries; hospital, nursing home and jail chaplaincies, and pro-life ministries to name a few.

6%

• Support training of seminarians, deacons, and pastoral leaders. Rick Burgess one of our parishioners, was ordained a deacon in June of this year. He is now serving in Ithaca.

35%

• Fund the operation, maintenance and capital improvements associated with the Pastoral Center which houses diocesan offices and ministries and computer support services.

4%

• Educating our youth to fulfilling and faith centered lives through Catholic schools, campus ministries, sacramental preparation, and other programs. In the last few years two of our Cornell grad students who were active parishioners are now Brother Cassian (Dante Iozzo) and Brother Paul (Zack Huber) and are studying for the priesthood.

4%

• Administration of the CMA campaign including professional expertise, gift and data processing, promotional materials, and postage.