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Editor’s Note: The 2011-12 United Catholic Appeal is underway throughout the Diocese of Amarillo. Kim Richard, Director of Development for the Diocese of Amarillo answers some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the United Catholic Appeal.
What Is The United Catholic Appeal?
The United Catholic Appeal is a fundraising campaign in which each parish is asked to undertake and invite parishioners to support the operational needs of the larger Church of Amarillo.
- The United Catholic Appeal impacts the faith lives of families, individuals, and communities throughout the Texas Panhandle.
When Was The UCA Established?
The United Catholic Appeal was established in 1981 to replace an antiquated system of assessing so much money per person. That structure traditionally provided diocesan financial resources.- The United Catholic Appeal assists the diocese with its’ operating budget along with Cathedraticum tax and grants.
- Without the UCA the diocese simply could not continue the ministry of Christ.
How Does The UCA Change Lives?
The United Catholic Appeal changes lives by providing ministries and services to people throughout the Diocese that build on the basic building blocks of our faith:- Youth Ministries provides programs in the parishes and missions to help youth gather and deepen their understanding of the Catholic Faith;
- The West Texas Catholic provides national and local news and information that educates people on their faith;
- Home Mission Assistance program provides monthly financial support to the mission parishes of our diocese who are unable to cover operational expenses;
- Diaconate Formation provides the planning, supervision and the formation of diocesan deacons;
- The Office of Faith Formation provides a variety of programs, experiences, and services to assist growth and development in the fields of religious education and pastoral ministry;
- Vocation and Seminarian Education program is designed to seek, foster and prepare candidates for the diocesan priesthood.
How are the parish quotas determined?- Every parish is assigned a specific dollar amount as its share of the 2011-2012 diocesan goal of $947,765.
- Parish goals are based on the average assessable income over the last three years.
- Bequests, Interest, Building Funds and Royalty Income are EXCLUDED.
All parishes can benefit from the ministries of the United Catholic Appeal through:- Education of Diocesan Priests;
- Professional Support of our Catholic Schools and Catechetical programs;
- Diocesan Retreats;
- Assistance of grants for small, struggling parishes and missions;
- Support for young Catholic Campus Ministries at West Texas A&M and Amarillo College;
- Support and training for our youth through Youth Ministries;
- Training, assistance and other resources through Diocesan Offices;
- Respect Life and Safe Environment Information and Training; and,
- Stewardship articles, brochures and other materials provided for a parish program;
Our Promise To You!- In 2009-2010 the United Catholic Appeal raised more than $890,000;
- These funds were used, without exception, to support the ministries, programs and services to those in need throughout the Church of the Texas Panhandle.
- It is our continuing pledge to you to use all the funds received during the 2011-2012 Appeal to provide these services and meet the needs in the Diocese of Amarillo.