Ways to Give:
You may make your gift in full or in part when
you make a pledge.
Direct Debit
A pre-authorized payment plan allows us to
debit your bank account directly on a monthly
basis, the first business day of each month. If you
are already using this plan, please renew your
commitment annually.
Credit Card
We accept either Visa or Mastercard
Post-dated cheques are welcome
Please make cheques payable to: Bishop’s
Annual Appeal – Name of Parish
All gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal are
greatly appreciated and will be acknowledged
with a receipt for income tax purposes.
Contact
For more information contact the Appeal office:
Cathie Rogers, Administrator
100 - 5th Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK
S7K 2N7
Phone: (306) 382-4240
Fax: (306) 244-6010
Toll-Free: 1-877-661-5005
baa@dscatholicfoundation.ca
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The Appeal provides an opportunity for everyone in the Diocese of Saskatoon
to support a wide range of educational projects, address social concerns and
grow spiritually. It promotes a shared responsibility in living the Gospel,
as we participate in the mission of Jesus Christ.
The Appeal has responded to clearly identified needs regarding mission and
ministry in the diocese. It is an important way for parishes within the Diocese
of Saskatoon to reach out to active and non-active members, and a way for parishioners
to open a dialogue about the church and ministry.
As Christian stewards, we receive God's gifts gratefully, and cultivate them responsibly. It is our opportunity to share them lovingly in justice with others and return them with increase value to the Lord.
Programs/Categories Supported by the Bishop's
Annual Appeal:
Education and Faith Formation
Programs and services are designed to educate
and train lay Catholics within the Diocese about
parish life and our broader faith community. These
programs are invaluable as they enable our laity to
respond to the many needs of their parishes, and to
enrich parish life by their commitment to leadership
both at the parish level and beyond. For example,
graduates of the lay formation program return to
their parishes with a renewed sense of their own faith.
They are empowered to take on leadership roles and
to motivate others to become more involved. Further
support through the Education of Laity Fund provides
financial assistance to those who pursue educational
opportunities relating to the church and its mission.
Serving our Diverse Needs
Through the Bishop's Annual Appeal, we recognize
and respond to the changing demographics of our
faith community and the spiritual needs of the many
diverse groups that make up our Diocese. The dignity
and worth of all people is central to our faith and is
exemplified when we respond to those most in need
by:
- Coordinating and providing pastoral ministry with
publicly run hospitals such as RUH and Saskatoon
City Hospital, training and nurturing volunteers, and
providing a liaison between Catholic pastoral care
services and hospital administration.
- Facilitating parish and community ministry to
inmates, victims and families of those affected by
crime.
- Providing sign language interpretive services.
- Presenting opportunities to learn about the social
teachings of the Church through work-shops, retreats,
and publication of materials.
- Strengthening the broader Christian community
by engaging in dialogue with other Christian
communities of faith.
Engaging and Supporting our Youth and Families
The future of our faith tradition falls squarely on
the shoulders of our families. These ministries strive to
promote the value and importance of on-going faith
formation for our children as well as to strengthen
family life. Programs offered through the Catholic
Centre aim to meet the needs of families in a
complex world. Connecting with the youth of the
Diocese requires approaching them where they are,
and in ways they are comfortable communicating.This includes using new media such as blogs,
Youtube, Twitter and Facebook.
The Diocesan Youth Retreat Team serves youth
across the Diocese, reaching over 1400 young
people last year. The diocesan Youth Ministry and
Rural Catechetics programs are assisting parishes in
helping young people make Steps in Faith through
adolescence and into adulthood. Many grassroots
ministries in the Diocese also work in these areas and
Diocesan staff support and collaborate with these
ministries to provide a wide range of programs and
services.
Clergy and Religious Life
The current shortage of priests makes us keenly
aware of the blessings of having a great parish priest.
Training priests takes a significant investment of both
time and financial resources. The Vocation Promotion
Office works to strengthen Catholic understanding
that God calls each one of us in a variety of ways,
including calls to the priesthood or religious life. The
Diocese is currently supporting nine young men
training for the priesthood.
In addition to training new priests the Appeal
continues to bring life and energy to our community
by investing in ongoing education for our existing
clergy. We also contribute to pension funds for
priests. The recent economic crisis requires us to
replenish these funds to ensure that our priests receive
adequate pensions upon retirement.
Communications & Resources
Families and organizations recognize the
importance of communication. For the Church it is
crucial, both in sharing our good news and working
through challenges. Diocesan Newsletters, news
coverage, bulletins, posters, promotional materials,
websites and online communication tools are
essential in ensuring that our family of faith stays
connected. The Resource Libraries in Saskatoon and
Humboldt continue to provide access to quality print
and audio-visual support and educational materials
throughout the Diocese free of charge.
Community
The Bishop's Appeal is proud to be able to support
many external agencies that exist within the Diocese.
The mandates of these organizations and groups
align with the vision and purpose of the Appeal.
Examples of such agencies include Friendship Inn,
L'Arche, Catholic Family Services, St. Paul's Hospital
Foundation, Saskatchewan Catholic Health Corporation
and others. The Appeal recognizes the
many groups that need our financial assistance and
we do our best with limited resources to support those
endeavours.
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