2023 SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

This newly established fund will help the Diocese of Des Moines, in partnership with Catholic Charities, respond to the immediate needs in our community in the aftermath of any unfortunate disaster-related event. This fund strives to meet critical needs in our local and at times, global communities, regardless of religious, social or economic backgrounds.

Victims of war, persecution and natural disasters need assistance in a wide variety of ways, from development projects to address basic material needs to legal support and advocacy services for immigrants and refugees. See USCCB for more information.

CRS Rice Bowl contributions support projects that assist those in need both overseas and here in the United States. Seventy-five percent of CRS Rice Bowl contributions are sent to Catholic Relief Services and help fund development projects overseas that help increase and maintain communities’ access to food. Twenty-five percent of the contributions fund local poverty and hunger alleviation programs in the Diocese of Des Moines.

Collects funds for support of the Holy Places, but above all for those pastoral, charitable, educational and social works which the Church supports in the Holy Land for the welfare of their Christian brethren and of the local communities. See USCCB for more information.

Catholic Charities serves the people of southwest Iowa when they find themselves in need of help. From basic needs of food and shelter, to empowerment programs that lead to housing, employment, and more. Professional counseling services help to sort out barriers that can keep people from being their best. Educational programs build client skills to help them thrive in the future. We continue to adapt to the needs in our communities so that we are offering services relevant to clients. At the base of it all, we build all of these services on the basis of Catholic Social Teaching, which is focused on social justice, dignity, and respect.

Through the internet, social media, social networks, television, radio and print, the Catholic Communications Campaign helps the Church spread the Gospel through the media locally and nationally. The Diocese of Des Moines retains 50% of the funds raised for use local communication efforts. See USCCB for more information.

The Catholic Mirror newspaper is a voluntary subscription program. Your gift of $25 or more reduces expenses associated with the monthly subscription delivered to more than 35,000 Catholic households in southwest Iowa.

The Peter's Pence Collection is your opportunity to join Catholic from around the world in assisting the Holy Father's emergency relief efforts to aid victim of war and natural disasters. See USCCB for more information.

The rapidly-growing Church in Africa is young and vibrant but faces challenges in building and maintaining structures and ministries previously funded by missionary orders. The Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa provides grants to finance pastoral proejcts including outreach programs, schools, evangelization and education of clergy and lay ministers. See USCCB for more information.

The Seminarian Fund provides support for the education of the men who are discerning priesthood within the Diocese of Des Moines. Making a contribution to the Seminarian Fund helps form our faith leaders of the next generation.

The collection on this weekend will support Catholic Home Missions, the Church in Eastern Europe, and the Church in Latin America. See USCCB for more information.

"CCHD" funds organizations that address affordable housing, job creation, access to healthcare and other issues at the root of poverty in America. 25% of funds raised remain in the Diocese of Des Moines to address local anti-poverty initiatives. See USCCB for more information.

The Retirement Fund for Religious (RFR) distributes financial assistance to religious institutes based on a formula and criteria approved by the conferences of major superiors and bishops. See USCCB for more information.