Catholic Charities
Stewardship and Pastoral Services
The Bishop’s Appeal 2011 raised more than $5,000,000. These funds were used, without exception, to support the ministries, and programs of the Diocese. Below are the areas that received funding from the Appeal.
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities assists more than 40,000 Northeastern Wisconsin residents each year from our offices in five communities. Here are the ways Catholic Charities cares for Jesus in our name by making a difference in the lives of people with various needs:- 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 and Pregnancy Counseling to assist birth parents, adoptive couples and people with unplanned pregnancies.
- Budget Counseling to teach people how to responsibly manage their finances.
- Support groups for caregivers.
- Treatment for domestic violence offenders.
- Consulting with Catholic health services to assist them in providing ethical care in line with
Church teachings.
Education
The Education department helps people of all ages deepen and improve their relationship with Jesus by continually providing curriculum resources and materials to: Catholic schools, parish religious education programs, and adult faith formation programs. Here are a few examples of what Education does:- U.S. Catechism for Adults seminars to train parish leaders in the new Catechism for Adults.
- Principal Leadership Days where leaders reflect and share the best practices in Catholic schools.
- Genesis to Jesus Bible Study, which travels to parishes across the diocese to teach the basic building blocks of our faith.
- Religious Certification Program for all Catholic School principals and religious education leaders.
- Leadership seminars and training days for Catholic schools and religious education, and training of new religious educators.
- Youth and young adult programs.
Evangelization, Living Justice & Worship
Evangelization, Living Justice & Worship offers opportunities for people to share their experiences of God with one another through worship and daily life. Evangelization, Living Justice & Worship focuses on everyday encounters with college students, engaged couples, families, and fellow worshippers. Here are a few examples of ministries Evangelization & Worship supports:- Marriage Preparation, where couples enjoy quality time together to learn about the challenges and joys of married life from married couples.
- Spirituality Fair for families and individuals to learn about the rich variety of Catholic spirituality and Church teachings.
- Newman Center at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Campus Ministry at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to support the spiritual growth of students.
- Married and Family Life programs, such as "All the Colors of God: A Day at Camp for Families."
- Liturgy training for liturgists and musicians.
Ministry Formation
The Ministry Formation department trains and forms priests, deacons, parish directors, and lay ministers. The work of Ministry Formation includes:- Forming and training men to serve the Church as deacons.
- Assisting women and men in hearing God’s call to serve the Church as Parish Directors.
- Emmaus program forms and mentors future leaders in parishes such as coordinators of pastoral ministry, liturgy, faith formation, and youth ministry, and business managers.
- Safe Environment by overseeing Protecting God's Children to help end sexual abuse through complete legal background checks and extensive VIRTUS® on-going education and training seminars. More than 17,000 priests, parish staff, diocesan staff, school staff, and volunteers have gone through VIRTUS and background checks.
- Team Days, a "mini sabbatical" where parish teams can be renewed by theological reflection
and conversation. - Ministry of Leading Prayer to deepen lay leaders' and deacons' understanding of theological and liturgical issues for presiding at prayer.
Stewardship & Pastoral Services
The Stewardship & Pastoral Services department helps parish leaders through consultation, formation and resources for the growth of vibrant parishes. Here are a few examples of ministries Stewardship & Pastoral Services assists:- Pastoral Care supports parish staff and volunteers in their care for those who are homebound, in medical facilities, prison/jails, the hurting or grieving.
- Parish Leadership training is offered through a wide variety of workshops regionally. Some examples are the Leadership Convocation, Business of the Parish workshop and training for Pastoral and Finance Council Chairpersons and trustees to name a few.
- Helping parish staff and pastoral councils in planning by setting priorities that can grow the parish.
- Teaching Catholic Social Teachings and helping parish leaders and parishioners share injustices and needs in our world.
- Outreach and welcoming to people of different cultures, the deaf and hard of hearing, and persons
with disabilities. - Assisting parish leaders in their efforts to make Stewardship as a way of life for all parishioners.
The Compass
The Compass is an award-winning weekly newspaper that breaks open the Catholic faith through articles, columns, news, and spiritual reading. The Compass educates and informs Catholic families and individuals both in print and on its Web site.In 2011, the Bishop's Appeal distributed $175,740 to The Compass to support its ministry.
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 campaign materials.
- Distributing campaign materials.
- 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.
