This weekend, parishioners across The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington will be invited to prayerfully consider their commitment to the Annual Catholic Services Appeal.
During a Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church that has the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” the archdiocese’s 2025 Annual Catholic Services Appeal has a complementary theme, “Spirit of Hope,” reflecting the hope that the local Church’s educational programs, charitable outreach and its ministries bring to people in this community.
Brochures will be available after Masses at parishes on the appeal’s announcement weekend on Feb. 15 and 16, and parishioners are encouraged to visit appeal.adw.org to learn more about how the appeal benefits their parish and the wider archdiocesan community.
All individuals and families in parishes in the archdiocese are encouraged to support the Annual Catholic Services Appeal in some way – whether through financial contributions or by prayers. All gifts to the appeal, no matter the amount, directly support essential ministries, and all donations will count toward each parish’s goal, strengthening the local Church and its outreach efforts.
A mission rooted in hope
With the theme, “Spirit of Hope,” the 2025 Annual Catholic Services Appeal seeks to raise $12 million to support the outreach and ministries of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.
"During the Holy Year, we are called to be tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardship of any kind,” said Cardinal Wilton Gregory in his message to donors.
Supporting the future of the Church
One of key priorities of the Annual Catholic Services Appeal is seminarian formation, with $5.2 million allocated to supporting those discerning the priesthood. In 2024, 64 seminarians benefited from these funds, leading to the ordination of 16 new priests – the largest ordination class in the archdiocese in more than 60 years.
"The generosity of the Annual Appeal ensures that young men discerning a priestly vocation can do so in a prayerful, peaceful environment," said Father Carter Griffin, rector of the archdiocese’s Saint John Paul II Seminary. The future priests will provide the sacraments to local Catholics at all stages of their lives.
Additionally, $1.575 million raised by the appeal is earmarked for Catholic education and faith formation, impacting 26,000 students in 90 Catholic schools and 15,000 children in parish religious education programs.
Serving those in need
Beyond formation and education, the appeal supports essential ministries, including $1.5 million for social justice and outreach ministries; $1.2 million for pastoral care, including campus, hospital and prison chaplaincies; and $1.4 million for parish, family, and life ministries.
"The appeal enables us to have a tangible presence on campus, walking with students in their faith,” said Father Conrad Murphy, chaplain at the Catholic Student Center at the University of Maryland in College Park.
How to participate
The 2025 Annual Catholic Services Appeal will be introduced during Announcement Weekend, Feb. 15-16, followed by Commitment Weekend on Feb. 22-23, when parishioners will have the opportunity to pledge their support during Mass.
The Archdiocese of Washington ensures that 100 percent of contributions go directly to ministries, with no funds used for administrative expenses.
"Your kindness has impacted countless lives,” Cardinal Gregory emphasized in his letter announcing this year’s appeal. "Through your generosity, we can continue to share the Spirit of Hope with a world that cries out desperately for it."
To learn more or make a donation go online to https://adw.org/ways-to-give/annual-appeal/
