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Pam’s world had unraveled. Her husband was gone. Cancer had left her physically and emotionally drained. The pandemic stole her sense of connection and took the lives of her two closest friends. Alone and overwhelmed, she faced not only sorrow, but also the terrifying reality of financial instability. In a moment of desperation, Pam reached out to Catholic Charities. Because of your support of the Bishop’s Appeal, more than 13,000 people—including Pam—have been served by Catholic Charities right here in northeastern Wisconsin.

By opening our hearts to one another, we also open our hearts to Jesus. One of the best ways to do this is by thinking of ways to give to others and help them experience the love of Christ. 
The following 5 Catholic causes are ways you can support this Christmas season. By giving to these causes, you are helping people throughout our diocese and world. Thank you for considering sharing your gifts and love for others through these causes.

As we gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, we pause to reflect on the many blessings God has given us.
Your generosity throughout the year allows us to share Christ’s love with those in need, bringing hope, compassion, and support to our communities. The Catholic Foundation office will be closed November 27-28 in honor of the holiday.

Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest storms to form in the Caribbean, devastated Jamaica and Haiti on October 28, 2025. The Catholic Foundation keeps all those impacted by Hurricane Melissa in our prayers. Please consider a gift to Catholic Relief Services to support their efforts as they serve and help our brothers and sisters during this difficult

Sunday, October 19, 2025, marks World Mission Sunday, a day when Catholics across the globe unite in prayer and generosity to support the Church’s missionary work. In a historic first, Pope Leo XIV, a former missionary bishop in Peru, has recorded a heartfelt video message in English and Spanish, urging every Catholic parish to participate in World Mission Sunday. The Catholic Foundation invites you to join us in this global celebration.

For all who have been affected by the war in Gaza, we pray for peace and healing. At the request of the USCCB, Bishop Ricken is asking all parishes in our Diocese to have a voluntary special collection to support the work being done by the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to aid the innocent victims of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The Raising Vocations Collection supports ministries that help young people discover Jesus and accompany them on their vocation journey. The Raising Vocations Collection kicks off on August 2-3, 2025. Individuals and families will be receiving a letter from Bishop Ricken asking for their support of the 2025 Raising Vocations Collection.

Garrett sprinted through the forest.  Sounds of kids laughing and footsteps flying throughout the woods echoed around him.  When Garrett signed up to be a Camp Tekakwitha Missionary, he never imagined he’d be dressed as Bigfoot and waiting for the campers to find him.  Yet, all Garrett could feel was incredible joy. 

“My time at SEEK was the start of something new, and if I had not gone to experience it, my prayer life and willingness to serve the Lord would not exist like it does now. Because of SEEK and my participation in Catholic campus ministry at UWGB, I know my life belongs to God,” shared Mark, a senior at UWGB and member of Phoenix Catholic.

Gracias a su donación a la Colección Levantamiento de Vocaciones, los jóvenes como Ariana pueden asistir a las Conferencias Juveniles de Steubenville, para adorar a Jesús en Adoración, encontrarlo en la Eucaristía y crecer en la fe junto a sus compañeros. Esta oportunidad expone a los estudiantes de secundaria a una vocación que es posible para ellos.