Is it really necessary year in and year out?
The Archbishop's Lenten Appeal makes a tremendous difference in the lives of so many people throughout the Archdiocese and even beyond our borders. The Archbishop's Lenten Appeal provides much needed support for the poor and those in need through Catholic Charities and St. Vincent de Paul Society, for many children attending our Catholic schools with tuition assistance, for ministry staffing in our parishes, prison chaplains and college campus ministers.

Where does all this money go?
The three main focuses of the Archbishop's Lenten Appeal are: the education of children and youth, serving the poor and those in need, and strengthening parishes. Every year there are far more requests for funds than what is available. Every gift is so important.

I understand that there is a tuition assistance challenge match being offered by the Archdiocese this year?

Yes.  In 2008 the Archdiocese will once again match dollar-for-dollar all monies designated for tuition assistance up to one-third of your parish's share.  For example, if your parish has been asked to raise $10,000 and does so, your parish will receive $2,500.  If your parish has specified that 100% of its share will go towards tuition assistance, the Archdiocese will match one-third of that, or $833.34.

Will my parish get credit for my gift?
Yes. Every parish will receive back 25% of all the funds they raise up to their target and 50% of what they raise over their target through the Archbishop's Lenten Appeal. Each parish has been asked to specify how these funds will be used to extend their ministry to those less fortunate.

I heard that if we don't reach the goal our parish has to make it up?
The parish Lenten Appeal goals are non-mandatory. The goal is really a target to reach towards. There is no penalty for not reaching the goal. However, if the parish exceeds the goal, they receive 50% of every dollar raised over the goal.

It seems like all the money is used in Baltimore. What about the other counties?

Will any of the Lenten Appeal funds support the ongoing abuse scandal?
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTABILITY - All dollars collected for the Archbishop's Lenten Appeal have been and will continue to be used exclusively for the purposes stated in our campaign materials and accounted for in the report that follows. No funds raised through the Lenten Appeal will be used for any other purpose.

The Archdiocese has implemented several controls to ensure that Lenten Appeal proceeds are properly handled and used.

1. Lenten appeal proceeds are kept in separate bank and investment accounts.
2. Use of appeal proceeds are monitored by an independent Allocation Oversight Committee made up of clergy, religious, and laity. (see below)
3. An independent certified public accounting firm audits proceeds, grants, and campaign expenditures, and there is a published annual report.
4. The Archdiocese publicly tries to keep the faithful fully aware of the campaign's progress and use of proceeds through its web site, reports in The Catholic Review and publishing Progress Reports twice each year.

Chair: Mr. L. Patrick Deering; Riggs, Counselman, Michaels & Downes (Member: Cathedral of Mary Our Queen)

Members: Dr. Thelma Daley (Member: All Saints)

Rev. Msgr. Lloyd Aiken (Pastor: Sacred Heart, Glyndon)

Mr. Michael Kelly (Member: St. Joseph, Texas)

Mr. James Gabriel (CFO: Associated Catholic Charities, Member: Cathedral of Mary Our Queen)

Mr. Joseph Spadaro (Executive Director of Management Services, Member: St. Joseph, Texas)

Didn't find your answer? Send an email to:
Brent Dailey, Regional Development Director
Greg Leitner, Regional Development Director
Melanie Torsella, Manager, Fall Offertory and Annual Appeals Programs