For our parishes, schools, ministries and communities throughout Cook and Lake counties.
The Archdiocese of Chicago proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ and carries on his mission through our parishes, schools and ministries. The Annual Catholic Appeal provides support for low-income parishes and schools, religious education and outreach programs, support and development for priests, Catholic Relief Services and more.
Moved by Christ’s call for us to live as disciples, we come together through the Appeal to care for our Church. Once your parish meets its goal, proceeds return to the parish to carry out the healing mission in your local community.
Your gift supports important ministries
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
The Annual Catholic Appeal helps to provide annual scholarship support to thousands of Catholic school families eligible for financial need. Your support puts a faith-filled, academically excellent and supportive education within reach.
Special Religious Development (SPRED)
Special Religious Development ministries help differently-abled parishioners to grow in faith and engage fully in their parish community. SPRED assists parishes in identifying the needs of persons with developmental disabilities and provides the best tools and training to serve their community members.
KOLBE HOUSE JAIL MINISTRY
The Kolbe House Jail Ministry serves individuals and families affected by the criminal justice system. Kolbe House provides rehabilitative programming and seeks to promote restoration and reconciliation through outreach, support, and accompaniment.
YOUNG ADULT AND CAMPUS MINISTRY
The Saint John Paul II Newman Center provides a welcoming, faith-filled environment to UIC students as they encounter pivotal moments and big questions as college students. The Newman Center offers service opportunities, bible study, and other formation events that nurture a strong faith community on campus and a place to learn more about Jesus and the Church.
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
For 79 years, Catholic Relief Services has represented the Church's healing presence worldwide. Without regard for religious affiliation, CRS promotes human development by responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies. Through the Annual Catholic Appeal, the generosity of the people of the Archdiocese of Chicago supports this important ministry.
AND MANY MORE...
For a complete listing of ministries supported by the Annual Catholic Appeal, please visit annualcatholicappeal.com.
THE ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL HELPS SUPPORT
Our faith, which draws us ever closer to God as we work to renew our local Church within a new missionary age. We endeavor to grow as disciples so we might share the love of Jesus Christ in creative ways and strengthen our parish communities to welcome and invite others.
Our parishes, where our faith is lived out. The Annual Catholic Appeal provides significant funding to local parishes through the rebate program as well as support to under-resourced parishes and schools throughout Cook and Lake County.
Our priests, who deserve our gratitude and support. The Annual Catholic Appeal provides funds for priest and seminarian education and ongoing development providing our priests with important formation opportunities to best serve their communities.
Our schools, which offer a robust academic education and form a new generation in faith. Scholarships provide critical support to make Catholic education possible and foster our children's relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church.
2023 Annual Catholic Appeal
HOW WILL YOUR GIFT BE USED
These projections are based on anticipated needs and are subject to change. The list below is meant to summarize the far-reaching impact of the Appeal, and so is not a comprehensive list of all the Archdiocese's ministries.
Low-income parishes and schools (29%)
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Support for parishes and schools serving financially challenged communities
Parish-based incentives (22%)
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After a parish reaches goal, donated funds return to the parish for local use
Archdiocesan Ministries (16%)
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Outreach initiatives for young adults, families, children and others
Spiritual renewal efforts (11%)
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Transforming parishes to share our faith in new and creative ways
Priest formation (6%)
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Education and development for seminarians and priests in the Archdiocese of Chicago
Scholarships (5%)
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Tuition assistance for disadvantaged Catholic school families
Catholic Relief Services (4%)
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Support for those suffering from natural disasters around the world
Cost of the Appeal (7%)
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Printing, postage, processing costs for the Appeal
With Heartfelt Gratitude
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We have faced many challenges in our world — from diseases to social upheavals to economic uncertainty. Still, we remain people of gratitude, because the Lord has walked with us, and we have walked with each other. This year’s Annual Catholic Appeal echoes these experiences of accompaniment.
Our theme for this year is Walking on the road with Jesus. It evokes the gospel scene of the two disciples who find themselves walking toward the village of Emmaus with a stranger, who, in fact, is Jesus. (Luke 24:13–35) They come to know Jesus as one who listens to their hopes and fears, and they are consoled and encouraged as they walk together. Pope Francis points to this passage as he calls the Church to a great synod, literally, a walking on the road together (syn-hodos). We take up the journey with the Lord and each other in trust and with generosity.
The Annual Catholic Appeal offers us the opportunity to discover that the Lord is with us every step of the way as we walk together in supporting his mission in our local Church and reach out to all who are in need. I invite you to join me in that journey with the Lord by responding generously to this year’s Appeal.
May God bless you for your willingness to share and support the journey. And may God bless and keep all your loved ones.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Archbishop of Chicago
THE LUMEN CORDIUM SOCIETY
When you recognize God’s many and generous gifts in your life and acknowledge that by making your own gift of $1,500 or more to the Annual Catholic Appeal, Cardinal Cupich welcomes you into the Lumen Cordium Society. In addition to the spiritual benefit of expressing your gratitude to the Lord, Society membership includes:
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An invitation to the annual Mass and reception with Cardinal Cupich
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Receiving Lumen Cordium magazine twice a year
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Inclusion in the Prayer Intention Book of Society membership
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Intentions remembered at monthly Mass in Saint James Chapel
Please note that your Lumen Cordium Society pledge can be made payable in installments. And, if you wish, it can be made anonymously.
To make a gift to the 2023 Annual Catholic Appeal and for information on how Appeal funds are spent, visit annualcatholicappeal.com.
The Annual Catholic Appeal supports the work of the Church in the Archdiocese of Chicago. No money donated to the Annual Catholic Appeal has been or will be used to defray expenses related to misconduct issues.