I have the privilege of sharing with you a report on the activities of the Office of the Propagation of the Faith for the calendar year. The statement of activity shows the financial activity for 2019.
Society of the Propagation of the Faith Statement of Activity for the year ended December 31, 2019
The Mission Cooperative Program assigns mission parishes and other organizations to make an appeal at larger parishes to help support their operations. In 2019, $159,072 was distributed. Thanks to those parishes that allowed pastors and others to make an appeal. You will note that the collections for the program are slightly larger than the distributions as we keep 3% of the funds to help defray some of the administrative costs.
Each year on the next to the last Sunday in October, we celebrate World Mission Sunday. A collection is taken up to support international mission work. In 2019, through the generosity of the people of the diocese, $54,389 was collected. These funds help to spread the Gospel message throughout the world.
The Office of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith has funds that are invested with the Catholic Community Foundation of the Diocese of Richmond. Distributions are made from this fund based on recommendations of an advisory committee and with the approval of Bishop Barry C. Knestout.
The Home Mission Grant Program is not shown in the statement of activity. The source of the funds comes from a diocesan-wide collection in June and funds from the Annual Diocesan Appeal. The program is administered through the Office of the Propagation of the Faith in conjunction with a grant committee and Bishop Knestout.
This program provides grants for repairs and small construction projects to the mission parishes and other smaller parishes. In 2019, grants of $216,774 were made. Information about applying for grants for 2020 can be found at richmonddiocese.org/office/propagation-of-the-faith/.
The Office of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith also administers the Fuel & Hunger Grants. This activity is also not shown in the attached statement. In January 2020, $325,200 was distributed to 90 parishes, Commonwealth Catholic Charities and Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia. Funds for this worthy cause come from the Annual Diocesan Appeal.
In gratitude we are called to share our faith as missionaries in our parishes, in our diocese and in places far away. Thanks to all who make this work possible in our diocese — pastors, members of the advisory and grant committees, and especially the generous people in our parishes.
Deacon Bob Griffin is director of the Office of the Propagation of the Faith for the Diocese of Richmond. For more information or answers to questions, contact him at [email protected].