Bishop’s Annual Appeal

Now in its 11th year of supporting the mission and ministries of our local church, the theme for the 2023 Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal is “Perfect in Generosity.” It is through the selfless giving of our time, talent, and treasure, that allows us to live out this exhortation from our Lord to radiate His love and mercy to others. Jesus reminds us that, to achieve a complete, unbreakable union with God, we must imitate God. We must, like Jesus, direct all the energies of our humanity into reflecting the love of the divinity. It is a pure love so overwhelming that it can only become a force for good, a love that will one day overpower the world to usher into its place the eternal kingdom of God. In gratitude for our many blessings, most especially our gift of faith, let us ask ourselves “what can we now do for God?”

Case for Support

The Pastors’ Advisory Committee has recommended, and Bishop Pohlmeier has approved the following case for support and estimated allocations:

Clergy Formation (31% – $1.4 million): Seminarians, deacons, and support for active and retired priests
Life, Charity & Justice (27% – $1.2 million): Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Augustine, pro-life ministry, and prison ministry
Discipleship & Evangelization (17% – $765,000): Operational support of the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, missionary priests and sisters, campus ministry, engaging Catholics throughout the diocese
Catholic Education (15% – $675,000): Catholic schools (Guardian, St. Francis High and St. Joseph High) and religious education programs
Pastoral Ministries (10% – $450,000): Multicultural ministries, marriage and family life ministry, youth and young adult ministries, and Stella Maris Seafarers ministry