Your gift to the Bishop’s Appeal is used, without exception, to support the ministries and programs of the Diocese. Below are the areas that received funding from the Appeal.
Catholic Charities and Living Justice Mission Team
Evangelization & Discipleship Mission Team
Parish & Family Life Mission Team
Catholic Charities and Living Justice Mission Team
The ministries of Catholic Charities provide social service programs to thousands of people throughout northeastern Wisconsin each year. The Living Justice ministry advocates for and supports pro-life activities. The following are examples of their work:
- Individual and Family Counseling Services, including mental health counseling for families, couples, and children.
- Family Strengthening Services to refugee and immigration communities throughout northeastern Wisconsin.
- Adoption & Pregnancy Support Services to assist birth parents, adoptive couples and people with unplanned pregnancies.
- Financial Health Services offers tools and guidance to help people learn responsible financial management.
- Consulting with Catholic health services to assist them in providing ethical care in line with Church teachings.
In 2023, the Bishop’s Appeal distributed $1,367,867 to Catholic Charities to support their ministries.
Catholic Schools Mission Team
This team provides resources, materials and curriculum that guides educational programs to Catholic schools and parishes. The following are a few other examples:
- Principal Leadership Days provide school leaders with an opportunity for spiritual enrichment and to learn some of the best practices in Catholic schools.
In 2023, $818,722 of the Bishop’s Appeal was distributed to the Education & Catholic Schools ministries.
Parish & Family Life Mission Team
These ministries offer opportunities for people to learn and experience God on a personal level. They also support the liturgical and sacramental life of parishes as well as supporting marriage preparation. Here are a few examples of their work:
- Religious Education provides certification for all Catholic school principals and religious education leaders.
- Marriage & Family Ministry provides engaged couples an opportunity for quality time together to learn from married couples the challenges and joys of married life.
- The Divine Worship team provides training to liturgists and musicians.
- Parish Operations & Mission Planning helps pastoral and finance councils set priorities, plan for the future and energize parish communities.
- Parish Leadership provides Deacons with the education and resources to share the Gospel with people in their parishes, homeless shelters, hospitals, prisons and schools.
In 2023, the Bishop’s Appeal distributed $1,261,460 to Parish & Family Life ministries.
Evangelization & Discipleship Mission Team
Evangelization & Discipleship trains and forms priests, deacons, parish leaders and lay ministers. Their work includes:
- Parish Evangelization includes workshops, adult faith formation and retreats with a focus on teaching the Good News.
- Discipleship Formation provides opportunities for parish leaders to deepen their faith and share Jesus with others.
- Young Adult Ministry helps educate and inspire young people to grow deeper in their faith.
- Hispanic and Multi-Cultural Ministry reaches out to our Hispanic brothers and sisters and other cultures throughout our Diocese to help them connect with the Church and grow in their faith.
- UWGB Campus Ministries and UW-Oshkosh Newman Center provides college students with the opportunity to worship and grow in their faith.
In 2023, the Bishop’s Appeal distributed $1,853,937 to the Evangelization & Discipleship Mission Team to support its ministries.
On Mission Magazine
On Mission is bi-monthly magazine that breaks open the Catholic faith through articles, columns, news and spiritual reading. On Mission educates and informs Catholic families and individuals both in print and on its website.
What are the expenses for the Bishop’s Appeal?
Fund raising costs for the Bishop’s Appeal range from 7 to 9 percent of the amount raised. Expenses include:
- The office staff responsible for planning, developing materials and carrying out the campaign with the help of parish volunteers and staff.
- Producing and distributing campaign materials.
The Bishop’s Appeal:
- Is an opportunity for the faithful to practice financial stewardship to support the Church of Green Bay.
- Funds Church ministries and programs to share the Word of God with people of all ages and to meet a variety of other needs through Catholic Charities.
- Helps bring the face of Jesus to more than 300,000 people every year.
In 2023, the Bishop’s Appeal received $500,000 to operate the 2023 Appeal campaign.