Bishop's Annual Appeal for Ministries

YOUR YEAR-END GIVING MAKES A DIFFERENCE

During our Holy Advent and Christmas Season, please consider supporting the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries.

To give stock or for more assistance with your year-end giving, 

please contact 615-645-9768

Please note that donations must be post-marked by December 31, 2019 

to be included in your 2019 contributions letter for tax purposes.

Dear Friends in Christ,
 
As you have heard me mention over the past year, “To whom much is given, much will be required.” (Luke 12:48), these words are more than just a motto, they guide us as we live out our daily lives.
 
It has been an honor to serve the Diocese of Nashville as Bishop this past year. I want to thank you all for making the 2018 Bishop’s Annual Appeal an overwhelming success by the generous giving of your time, talent and treasure and for all your prayers.
 
We need your continued support this year, as every dollar given in support of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries promotes life change. The Bishop’s Appeal provides support for each of our ministries; seminarian training, religious education for those of all ages, youth and children’s ministries, and support for those in our community most in need. These ministries not only generate life change in the present, but they also impact eternity.
 
I am inviting you to join with me to help us reach our community with the love and hope that only Christ can bring.
 
Please continue to pray for me and know that I am praying for you.
 
Sincerely yours in Christ,
 
Most Reverend J. Mark Spalding
Bishop of Nashville

What is the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries?

The Bishop’s Annual Appeal for is a diocese-wide effort that supports the pastoral services of the Catholic Church in Middle Tennessee. It is an opportunity for all Catholics in our diocese to express unity with one another in carrying out our mission. The mission statement of the Diocese of Nashville states that, "We, the people of the Roman Catholic Church of Middle Tennessee, as stewards of our faith, are called to live and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ by: worshiping God in prayer and sacraments; teaching and preaching the Word of God, and; loving and serving our neighbors."  
 
The Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries is the “backbone” of support that provides funds for seminarian education, caring for the marginalized, and for critically needed ministries such as religious education, adult formation, youth and young adult ministry, and campus, church, and chaplain pastoral care.
 
Whereas the diocesan parish assessment funds the governance offices of the diocese mandated by Church law (such as the Bishop’s and the Chancellor’s Offices), the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries funds diocesan ministries and services.
 

How does the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries impact our parish and our community?

Diocesan pastoral programs funded through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries help parish programs in such areas as ministries that help the marginalized, youth ministries, life-long adult formation, religious education, children’s ministries, seminarian education, campus ministries, chaplain ministries, and many other worthy efforts.
 
Your gift to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries has a real impact by helping to support the ministries, programs, and pastoral initiatives of the Diocese of Nashville.  For example, during 2017: 

Catechetical Formation Program:

• 1,127 Participants have attended courses offered in English with 220 earning a Catechist Certification; 


• 544 Participants have attended courses offered in Spanish with 100 earning a Catechist Certification


• 16 Parishes are served by the Totus Tuus Summer Youth Program with a Vacation Bible School format for elementary students in the daytime and middle and high school students in the evening.


• 1,942 confirmed from 42 parishes with ongoing support of religious education and RCIA programs.

Office of Adult Formation:

• 600 adults undertaking bible studies programs written and implemented by the Office of Adult Formation


• 240,000 views of “3 Minute Theology”

 
The Catholic Youth Office:

• 375 first-time attendees, 144 team members, 40 adult volunteers for SEARCH


• 70 first-time attendees, 25 team members, 12 adult volunteers for Youth Leadership Workshop.


• 477 students and 84 adults from 18 parishes attended a Confirmation Retreat called SEALED.


• 750+ high schoolers attended a Youth Eucharist Retreat at the Catholic Pastoral Center

 
Catholic Charities of Tennessee, Inc.:

• $520,000 provided to Catholic Charities to support programs that provide humanitarian aid to the marginalized. 

How do we make a pledge or contribution to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries?

There are a number of ways to make your pledge or contribution to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries:
 

1. Complete the pledge card that has been mailed to your home or one that is available at your parish and return it to the parish on “Pledge Sunday.”


2. Complete the pledge card that has been mailed to your home or one that is available at your parish and mail it to the diocese at: Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries, Diocese of Nashville, 2800 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37214-1402


3. Go to www.DioceseofNashville.com/Bishops-annual-appeal-for-ministries and fill out the online pledge and donation form.  You can set up recurring gifts for monthly contributions here.


4. For stock donations, donor advised fund contributions, employer match contributions, or for more information, please email Ashley Linville at ashley.linville@dioceseofnashville.com or Anna Beth Godfrey at annabeth.godfrey@dioceseofnashville.com or call 615-783-0267.


5. For questions regarding pledges or contributions in general, please email Ashley Linville at ashley.linville@dioceseofnashville.com or Anna Beth Godfrey at annabeth.godfrey@dioceseofnashville.com.

Why should we support the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries?

Our Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries contributions are part of our Christian stewardship of treasure. Our motivation for giving is gratitude for all the blessings we have received from God. We must ask ourselves, what return shall we make to the Lord? While we receive many requests for charitable gifts, our Church should be a priority consideration for our charitable support.
 

To whom much is given, much will be required.
— Luke 12:48

For more information about the Bishop's Annual Appeal for Ministries,
please contact:
 

Ashley Linville
Director of Development
ashley.linville@dioceseofnashville.com
Office: 615-645-9768
Fax: 615-292-8411

Anna Beth Godfrey
Assistant Director of Development
annabeth.godfrey@dioceseofnashville.com
Office: 615-645-9769
Fax: 615-292-8411