FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries?

The Bishop’s Annual Appeal for is a diocese-wide effort that supports the pastoral services of the Catholic Church in Middle Tennessee. It is an opportunity for all Catholics in our diocese to express unity with one another in carrying out our mission. The mission statement of the Diocese of Nashville states that, "We, the people of the Roman Catholic Church of Middle Tennessee, as stewards of our faith, are called to live and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ by: worshiping God in prayer and sacraments; teaching and preaching the Word of God, and; loving and serving our neighbors."  
 
The Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries is the “backbone” of support that provides funds for seminarian education, caring for the marginalized, and for critically needed ministries such as religious education, adult formation, youth and young adult ministry, and campus, church, and chaplain pastoral care.
 
Whereas the diocesan parish assessment funds the governance offices of the diocese mandated by Church law (such as the Bishop’s and the Chancellor’s Offices), the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries funds diocesan ministries and services.
 

How does the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries impact our parish and our community?

Diocesan pastoral programs funded through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries help parish programs in such areas as ministries that help the marginalized, youth ministries, life-long adult formation, religious education, children’s ministries, seminarian education, campus ministries, chaplain ministries, and many other worthy efforts.
 
Your gift to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries has a real impact by helping to support the ministries, programs, and pastoral initiatives of the Diocese of Nashville.  For example, during 2017: 

Catechetical Formation Program:

• 1,127 Participants have attended courses offered in English with 220 earning a Catechist Certification; 


• 544 Participants have attended courses offered in Spanish with 100 earning a Catechist Certification


• 16 Parishes are served by the Totus Tuus Summer Youth Program with a Vacation Bible School format for elementary students in the daytime and middle and high school students in the evening.


• 1,942 confirmed from 42 parishes with ongoing support of religious education and RCIA programs.

Office of Adult Formation:

• 600 adults undertaking bible studies programs written and implemented by the Office of Adult Formation


• 240,000 views of “3 Minute Theology”

 
The Catholic Youth Office:

• 375 first-time attendees, 144 team members, 40 adult volunteers for SEARCH


• 70 first-time attendees, 25 team members, 12 adult volunteers for Youth Leadership Workshop.


• 477 students and 84 adults from 18 parishes attended a Confirmation Retreat called SEALED.


• 750+ high schoolers attended a Youth Eucharist Retreat at the Catholic Pastoral Center

 
Catholic Charities of Tennessee, Inc.:

• $520,000 provided to Catholic Charities to support programs that provide humanitarian aid to the marginalized. 

How do we make a pledge or contribution to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries?

There are a number of ways to make your pledge or contribution to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries:
 

1. Complete the pledge card that has been mailed to your home or one that is available at your parish and return it to the parish on “Pledge Sunday.”


2. Complete the pledge card that has been mailed to your home or one that is available at your parish and mail it to the diocese at: Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries, Diocese of Nashville, 2800 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37214-1402


3. Go to www.DioceseofNashville.com/Bishops-annual-appeal-for-ministries and fill out the online pledge and donation form.  You can set up recurring gifts for monthly contributions here.


4. For stock donations, donor advised fund contributions, employer match contributions, or for more information, please email Sandra Jordan at [email protected] or Danielle Davis at [email protected] or call 615-783-0267.


5. For questions regarding pledges or contributions in general, please email Ella Bell-Vannoy at [email protected] or Sandra Jordan at [email protected].

 

Why should we support the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries?

Our Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries contributions are part of our Christian stewardship of treasure. Our motivation for giving is gratitude for all the blessings we have received from God. We must ask ourselves, what return shall we make to the Lord? While we receive many requests for charitable gifts, our Church should be a priority consideration for our charitable support.
 

To whom much is given, much will be required.— Luke 12:48

For more information about the Bishop's Annual Appeal for Ministries,
please contact:
 
Sandra Jordan
Director of Grants and Annual Giving 
615-783-0267 or [email protected]
 
Or
  
Ella Bell-Vannoy
 Database Coordinator 
615-783-0253 or [email protected]