2nd Collections Ministries Supported

St. Patrick's Seminary

St. Patrick’s Seminary & University maintains as its primary purpose the initial and ongoing formation of Roman Catholic priests in a contemporary multicultural world, especially for dioceses within the Western United States and the Pacific Rim. Through human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral development, it enables Christ-centered men to grow and excel as collaborative, culturally-aware pastoral leaders committed to Jesus and His Church. For more information about the Seminary, please visit www.stpatricksseminary.org.

Catholic Charities Appeal

One of the largest non-profit providers of social services in the Bay Area, Catholic Charities CYO's programs help people of all faiths. Founded in 1907 and rooted in our faith traditions of charity and justice, Catholic Charities CYO supports families, aging and disabled adults, and youth through social services and opportunities for healthy growth and development. For more information, please visit www.cccyo.org.

Catholic Relief Services

Catholic Relief Services, the official international relief and development agency of the Catholic community in the United States, assists people in 98 countries on the basis of need—not race, creed, or nationality. Catholic Relief Services creates opportunities for Catholics in the United States to live their faith in solidarity with poor people overseas by providing financial support and addressing the root causes of poverty. By giving to The Catholic Relief Services Collection, you are responding to Jesus in disguise. Thank you for your generosity. For more information, please visit www.usccb.org/crscollection.

Holy Land

The Collection for the Holy Land, in the words of Paul VI is “not only for the Holy Places but above all for those pastoral, charitable, educational, and social works which the Church supports in the Holy Land for the welfare of their Christian brethren and of the local communities.” Please visit www.myfranciscan.org for more information.

Black and Indian Home Missions

Since 1884, proceeds from the Black and Indian Missions Collection (BIM) are distributed as grants to dioceses supporting and strengthening evangelization programs, which would otherwise be in danger of disappearing among the Black, American Indian, Eskimo, and Aleute communities of the United States. Please call (202) 331-8542 for more information.

Catholic Home Missions

The Catholic Home Missions collection primarily supports home mission dioceses, that is, those unable to offer their people the basic pastoral ministries of word, worship and service without outside help. It may also give grants to other dioceses for particular projects, and to organizations and religious communities engaged in missionary work. These funds principally focus on (1) evangelization activities, (2) religious education, (3) ministry training for priests, deacons, religious sisters and brothers, and laypeople; (4) support of poor parishes across the country. For more information, please visit www.usccb.org/hm.

Catholic Communication Campaign

The Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) collection responds to the national and local communications needs of the Church. The collection is unique in that proceeds are split equally between each participating diocese and the national office. Dioceses use their share of the CCC collection to support local communications efforts such as televised Masses and diocesan newspapers. On the national level, CCC funds support the development and production of a wide range of media initiatives that are carried out by USCCB staff and grantee organizations. A portion of the CCC’s national funds are also set aside for grants to aid Catholic communication efforts in developing nations. Please visit www.usccb.org/ccc to learn more about media resources made possible by the Catholic Communication Campaign.

Peter’s Pence

The Peter’s Pence Collection unites us in solidarity to the Holy See and its works of charity to those in need. Your generosity allows the Pope to respond to our suffering brothers and sisters with promptness, love, and compassion, so God’s people will not feel alone in their time of misfortune. The Peter’s Pence Collection supports the Pope’s philanthropy by giving the Holy Father the means to provide emergency assistance to those in need because of natural disaster, war, oppression, and disease. For information about how to contribute to the vision and works of the Pope through the Peter’s Pence Collection, please visit www.usccb.org/ppc.

Priests’ Retirement Fund

The Priests’ Retirement Fund ensures and provides for the adequate care and support of the retired priests of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. With the increasing cost of health care and other basic necessities, a priest’s pension covers daily living expenses but not much else. The Priests’ Retirement Fund supports those in need of supplementary assistance by paying for expense such as non-insured medical costs, a portion of extended care costs and housing costs associated with independent living. As the priests of the Archdiocese have served us for over 150 years, this collection allows us to serve them by providing for their needs after active ministry. Your generous gift to the Priests’ Retirement Fund is a tremendous blessing shared to the priests and gives great comfort to them.

World Mission Sunday

By Baptism, all Catholics are called to participate in the mission of the Church, called to share their faith as missionaries. World Mission Sunday gathers support for the pastoral and evangelizing programs and needs of more than 1,150 mission dioceses in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and remote regions of Latin America. The funds gathered on World Mission Sunday are distributed in the pope’s name by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith—a Pontifical Mission Society. Please visit www.worldmissions-catholicchurch.org for more information.

Campaign For Human Development

These days it is not hard to imagine having to choose between rent or health care, food or transportation, household bills or clothing for your children. For many Americans, these choices are forced by a recent layoff, pay freeze, or retirement fund decrease. For 37 million Americans who live below the poverty line, the options are only diminishing. For nearly 40 years, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has embodied Catholic social teaching through pursuing justice and upholding the dignity of the human person. CCHD funds community projects led by low-income individuals. As more Americans feel the weight of the economic crisis, CCHD needs your support more than ever. For more information, please visit www.usccb.org/cchd.

Retirement For Religious

The Retirement Fund for Religious (RFR) distributes grants to religious institutes for the retirement needs of senior religious priests, brothers, and sisters. The fund also helps religious institutes plan and manage their retirement needs and programs. Please visit www.usccb.org/nrro for more information.