2021-2022 Diocesan Annual Appeal Materials
Prayer Card – PDF Brochure – PDF Case Statement – PDF
Throughout the Gospel, Jesus reveals the Unity of the Blessed Trinity: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. One God in three Divine Persons. God creates us in His own image, endowing us with gifts of time, talent and treasure for activity in this world. Jesus fashions us into His people in the Church where, in faith, we express our stewardship and discipleship in unity and charity with one another in His Name.
Our Diocesan Mission Statement identifies us and our God-given gifts to be used for the upbuilding of God’s Kingdom on earth: “a sacramental people, who worship God, teach the Catholic Faith, and serve the needs of the human person.” The Diocesan Annual Appeal provides an opportunity to unite our treasures to meet our obligations of charity and mercy united in Christ.
Our participation in the Diocesan Annual Appeal provides the necessary funding for us to finance our charitable obligations as a Diocese to put our time, talent and treasure into building up the Kingdom of God, inspiring hope for our brothers and sisters in need.
Below are just a few encouraging and inspiring examples of our Diocesan Mission Statement in action.
These and many more opportunities supported by the Appeal extend, inspire and invite each and every member of our Diocesan community to share in our sacramental, social and charitable actions and good works. With this in mind, you are invited to invoke the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit for your opportunity to contribute to this year’s Diocesan Annual Appeal. Your example will encourage others to participate in the Appeal.
Thank you for your generosity to our Diocesan Annual Appeal. Thank you for keeping the Faith. Thank you for inspiring Hope.
— Most Rev. William Patrick Callahan, Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse
• FOCUS: Fellowship Of Catholic University Students. As we look to expand these groups to our other university area parishes, our UW-La Crosse group discusses how they invite college-age students into a deeper relationship with Christ. Their efforts have provided the Church with three seminarians, several men and women in or considering consecrated religious life, and a countless number of college students to reconnect and stay united with the Church in the last few years.
• The Watermark Mission: with the help of grants from the Office for Ministries and Social Concerns, Gary and Rosey Asher from St. Henry Parish in Eau Galle, their ministry unites people from all over the diocese and country to help fix and repair homes after natural disasters, providing hope to those in need.
• The Bahire Family: A family who, with the help of the Diocesan Annual Appeal, supported ministries of the USCCB, Catholic Charities and Gary Veltus, a parishioner of St Mary Parish, Neillsville. They survived the harsh conditions of civil war and refugee camps. They mourned the killing of their parents and the deaths and disappearance of other loved ones, escaped the Congo civil war and spent eleven years in a refugee camp in Uganda before the Church helped them come to Wisconsin. They are forever grateful for God and the Church; now, as new homeowners, they and their children hope to attend college. They can now know peace and have opportunities they never dreamed were possible.
The Watermark Mission
With the help of grants from the Office for Ministries and Social Concerns, Gary and Rosey Asher from St. Henry Parish in Eau Galle, their ministry unites people from all over the diocese and country to help fix and repair homes after natural disasters, providing hope to those in need.
FOCUS – The Fellowship of Catholic University Students
FOCUS – The Fellowship of Catholic University Students is a Catholic collegiate outreach whose mission is to share the hope and joy of the gospel with college and university students, inspiring and equipping them for a lifetime of Christ-centered evangelization, discipleship, and friendships in which they lead others to do the same. Currently, 4 campuses in Wisconsin are home to FOCUS; the Diocese of La Crosse has one FOCUS mission, located in the Roncalli Newman parish.
The Bahire Family: A Story of Mercy, Hope, and Gratitude
The Bahire Family escaped from the horrors of civil war and only to find ways to survive the harsh conditions in refugee camps. They mourned the killing of their parents and the deaths and disappearance of other loved ones. They escaped the Congo civil war and spent eleven years in a refugee camp in Uganda before the Church helped them come to Wisconsin. They are forever grateful for God and His Church. Now, they and their children hope to attend college as new homeowners. They can now know peace and have opportunities they never dreamed were possible.
2020-2021 Diocesan Annual Appeal Disbursements $5,675,035
Planned Giving: Bequest, Wills and Estate Planning Leaving a Legacy
Make a lasting investment that will ensure His hope will be accesible for generations to come
- Your planned gift will help us carry out our mission for many years ahead
- Enjoy significant tax savings while providing for a cause that’s meaningful to you
- Among other plans, you can give a future gift through your estate or an immediate gift that returns income
Contact Information
Office of Stewardship & Development
Diocesan Annual Appeal
Phone: 608.791.2653
Fax: 608.788.3854
Jeff Reiter, Director
Sarah Komperud, Administrative Assistant