Frequently Asked Questions

How is contributing connected to my faith? What if I already give in my parish?

We were baptized into a worldwide Catholic family, so our faith is not only about “us” and our needs, but about acting as Christ to others. Giving to the CSA is a way to act as Christ and help those who need our assistance, in addition to supporting parish needs.

What do the Sacred Scriptures say about giving?

God continually calls us to give. The gospels are filled with examples of giving. God calls us to give through:

  • The words and example of Jesus Christ, who poured out His life for us.
  • The widow who gave her last coin; she was destitute and yet she gave of her substance, not of her abundance.
  • The Acts of the Apostles, who describe the early Church as gathering and giving. Giving seems to have been essential to the very nature of the Church.

Why do we have an annual Catholic Services Appeal?

Over forty years ago, a group of local Catholics decided to raise money for Catholic schools. They went door-to-door and asked for help from their Catholic neighbors. The CSA is built on this model to assist with larger unmet needs that no one parish, school, or individual can meet on its own.

How does my parish benefit from the Appeal?

Parish rebates are given back to those parishes that attain their CSA goal. These funds are used to support parish faith formation programs and educational efforts.

How do you decide on parish goals? Is meeting the goal required? How much should I give?

Parish goals are based on annual parish income and if there is a parish school. Giving is not required, but an offering of 1% of your annual income is suggested. Although parish goals are not mandatory, each parish that meets or exceeds its goal will receive a 25% parish rebate. Every gift is appreciated.

How is the Archdiocese working to become a better steward of these gifts?

The Archdiocese has worked in the past, and is working always, to become a better steward of these gifts. We use these gifts under the good advice of the Finance Council and under the good advice of collaborators in the area of administration. We use these gifts always knowing that we are accountable for how they are stewarded.

How does the Catholic Services Appeal differ from the Catholic Community Foundation?

There are many ways to provide financial support to the Church. All methods are necessary and important, but each has a different objective.

The Catholic Services Appeal – Yearly collection to help cover the general operating and program expenses of Archdiocesan programs. The goal – typically about $10 million annually – is to get broad participation from all registered Catholics to support the work of the Church, as overseen by the Archbishop.

Catholic Community Foundation – Gives donors the means and flexibility to choose the causes they want to support today and in perpetuity – including their parish, school or other Catholic organization. CCF assists donors with planned giving on their timetable and to fulfill their charitable intent. By establishing a fund with CCF, donors are able to leave a legacy for generations to come. CCF holds an endowment for the benefit of the Catholic Services Appeal. We encourage you to consider making a gift in your will or estate plan to this endowment. You may do so by giving your attorney this bequest language:

 I/we the undersigned, give (a percent or a dollar amount) of my/our estate to the Catholic Community Foundation – in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis for the Catholic Services Appeal Endowment – Fund #52501. Tax ID #41-1744184