New this year is the Catholic Ministries Appeal, which replaces Fruitful Harvest Appeal. You may ask why is there this appeal or what is this appeal. Hopefully the information below provide you some answers. 

What is the Catholic Ministries Appeal?

• The Catholic Ministries Appeal is replacing the Fruitful Harvest Appeal.
• The reason for the change is to focus on the many ministries that are supported through this appeal and to increase the transparency of how the funds raised from this appeal are utilized to support the works of Christ directly through the diocese, as well as through the ministries that support each of our local parishes. Here are the lists of the Diocesan Supported Ministries and Ministries to Parishes that are funded through the Catholic Ministries Appeal:

How are parish goals determined?

• Our parish goal is $96,926.
• The campaign goal for September 2020 to December 31, 2021 is $6.9 million.
• Each parish goal is based on its percentage of the diocesan total of the following:
  • “Eligible Income”, which includes the following: (All data pulled from 2019 Parish Annual Reports)
    • Total Parish Income
    • less School Income (tuition, support paid to diocesan school or Net School Expense for tithing school)
    • less Approved Capital Campaigns (includes Dovetail payments as of EOY19)
    • less Bequest, Trust and Estate Donations (line item 3x26)
  • Multiplied by a progressive factor based on amount of “eligible income”:
    • 0.8 for eligible income <$500K
    • 0.9 for eligible income $500K - $999K
    • 1.0 for eligible income $1M - $1.999M
    • 1.1 for eligible income $2M - $3.499M
    • 1.2 for eligible income $3.5M+

What happens if a parish does not meet their goal or exceeds their goal?

• If a parish goal is not met, the parish must write a check to cover the deficit.
• Overages at parishes may be used to help parishes strugglign to reach their goal.

How can I pledge and/or donate?

• You can make pledge or doante online at www.dol-in.org/CMA
• You can complete and return the pledge card you received in the mail to PO Box 11040, Lewiston, ME 04243.
• You can complete the pledge card you received and place it inthe offeretory basket at Mass.
• You can make an IRA qualified charitable distribution or stock by calling 765-742-7000 for information.

Catholic Ministries Appeal Resources
Catholic Ministries Appeal Website
Letter from Bishop Doherty (English)
Letter from Bidhop Doherty (Spanish)
Pledge Card (English)
Pledge Card (Spanish)
Videos