The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is once again participating in #iGiveCatholic as part of the annual #GivingTuesday, which is held each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This year, #GivingTuesday is Nov. 30.
The event, which began in 2012, is a 24-hour period where people around the world are encouraged to do good deeds and benefit their favorite charities.
In this archdiocese, the faithful had the opportunity to make gifts in advance, beginning Nov. 15 and continuing through Nov. 30. They still can support their parish, Catholic school or other favorite Catholic charity by visiting washington.igivecatholic.org and searching through profiles of various ministries.
“Once again, Catholic communities across The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington are participating in #iGiveCatholic, a national movement to celebrate and support Catholic ministries on #GivingTuesday, Nov. 30,” Joseph Gillmer, the archdiocese’s executive director of development, said in an e-mail. “Through #iGiveCatholic, you will be able to give to a variety of Catholic causes across our archdiocese - including your own parish.”
Gifts made through the website are secure, and gifts of $20 or more are tax-deductible.
In a series of e-mails, Gillmer highlighted some of the charities that benefit from #iGiveCatholic donations. They include:
The St. John Paul II Seminary which prepares college-age men and young adults for entrance into major seminary and eventual ordination to the Catholic priesthood.
The Office of Consecrated Life which strives to serve the needs of the consecrated men and women of the Church of Washington. One area of acute need is to aid the religious in housing.
The Office of the Permanent Diaconate which supports the formation and ongoing training for Deacons in the Church of Washington.
The Retired Priests Collection which supports our priests who have been there for each of us and our families in providing spiritual support – year in and year out – for our entire lives.
The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) which assists parishes and families through athletic and scouting programs. CYO serves more than 25,000 children, adolescents, and young adults through more than 1,000 sports teams, and 64 chartered troops annually.
Victory Youth Center which provides a high-quality afterschool curriculum and recreational programs for youth and families. More than 150 children and youth visit the Merrick Center every day after school and more than 600 drop-ins over the weekend.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington hosts the Youth Rally and Mass for Life annually in January in the hours before the national March for Life in Washington, D.C. The program gathers youth to learn about Catholic teaching on life issues
The Needy Parish Fund, which supports parishes hit especially hard due to the pandemic.
The Sunday TV Mass, which broadcasts from The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Through the Community Food Security Program nearly 70 Catholic parishes throughout the Archdiocese and dozens of schools and ministries provide food and meals to tens of thousands of people in need.
The Disaster Relief Fund supports the rebuilding efforts in the areas affected by natural disasters such as the major earthquakes in Haiti and Mexico, the flash floods in Middle Tennessee, and Hurricane Ida, which caused devastation in Louisiana, Mississippi, and the East Coast of the United States.
By visiting washington.igivecatholic.org the faithful can search and donate to the Catholic ministry or parish of their choice.
“As we celebrate the Season of Advent, and as we approach #GivingTuesday (Nov. 30), the worldwide day of giving, I encourage you to visit #iGiveCatholic to explore all the great Catholic causes that make a real, tangible difference throughout our communities of faith,” Gillmer wrote in his e-mails. “Thank you for your generous support of parishes, schools and ministries of the Church of Washington in this most challenging of years.”
