About the Appeal

Our faith is lived in parishes and schools, soup kitchens and counseling centers, on street corners and around the dinner table, where people of all backgrounds in every neighborhood of the Archdiocese of Atlanta are served.

Your gift to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal helps support the necessary financial needs of our ministries in the Archdiocese. Your gift touches the lives of the unborn, the student, the educators, the infirmed, the elderly, seminarians and priests, and the homeless and those suffering from injustice.

Please make your pledge to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.

Your gift underwrites ministries serving the People of God throughout North Georgia.

FAQs about the Archbishop's Annual Appeal

Q: What is the 2012 Archbishop's Annual Appeal and what is new this year?

A: The Archdiocese of Atlanta conducts an annual campaign (as is the case in most dioceses in the United States), to help fund the work of its offices and ministries throughout north and central Georgia. For the second year, the Appeal will commence in January and conclude in December of the same year. The Appeal will include an in-pew pledge process held on the two weekends prior to Ash Wednesday.

Q: Why should people give?

A: Catholics should give because they are grateful for the gifts that God has given them in their lives and because of the great good that their giving brings to the world.

Q: I already support my parish, isn’t that enough?

A: The Annual Appeal provides the opportunity to support our wider Church family, the Archdiocese of Atlanta, as well as our own parish ministries. When we say the Creed, we reaffirm the fact that we are members of the “one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.” We are saying that we believe that every parish and every parishioner is responsible not only for his or her parish, but also for the well-being of the Church throughout the archdiocese and the world.

Q: I’d like to know how my gift will benefit the parishes outside of metropolitan Atlanta?

A: The offices of the archdiocese are available to provide support to all parishes regardless of location. The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal funded the education of priests currently serving in your parish. Catechists who are teaching the children of your parish receive training through our Office of Formation and Discipleship. Engaged couples receive pre-marital counseling retreats. All of these are but examples of the wide variety of services provided by archdiocesan offices and ministries to parishes and parishioners across the archdiocese.

Q: I’m a full-time college student. How can I help with the Archbishop’s Appeal?

A: Get involved in your parish or your school’s campus ministry program. Give generously of your time and talent – and consider giving up an occasional pizza or movie to help someone who is less fortunate. Your gift will make a difference! Get into the habit of giving – of yourself, your talents, your time and your treasure. It is never too soon to practice being a good steward!

Q: I’ve never used Appeal Ministries, so how do I benefit from the Appeal?

A: Four personal benefits flow from your Appeal gift:

Seminarians are educated to continue to staff our parishes and missions to provide the sacraments and preach the Gospel for years and generations to come. It costs approximately 40 thousand dollars per year for each seminarian. Most men are in the seminary for 6 years before they are ordained to the priesthood.
Your gift shows your thanks for God’s gifts to you by ensuring that Christ’s mission continues in our own day and time. The Appeal offers an opportunity to be a good steward.
Your gift enables the Church to do God’s work throughout North Georgia by supporting a variety of programs and services that strengthen parishes and benefit all individuals, including yourself.
Your gift fulfills a portion of your responsibility to make the Church what God wants and needs it to be. We are responsible for providing the resources of time, talent, and treasure that the Church needs to carry out its mission of salvation for all. Nothing relieves us of this responsibility.