I again 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 for 2021 shows the financial activity for the year.
Mission Cooperative Program. This program assigns mission parishes and other organizations to make an appeal at larger parishes to help support their operations. In 2021, $59,239 was distributed thanks to those parishes that allowed pastors and others to make an appeal. The pandemic continues to affect the amount that can be distributed.
Each year on the next to the last Sunday of October, we celebrate World Mission Sunday. That collection supports mission work in the United States and around the world. This year, through the generosity of the people of the diocese, $100,982.37 was collected.
Distribution of these funds included: $33,661 to U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Catholic Home Missions; $33,661 to the Black and Indian Missions; $30,631 to the National Society of the Propagation of the Faith; and $3,029 to the Catholic Near East Welfare Association.
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 the approval of Bishop Barry C. Knestout. In 2021, a grant of $25,000 was made to Sts. Peter and Paul, Palmyra.
Home Mission Grant Program. This is not shown in the statement of activity. The source of the funds comes from a diocesan-wide collection in May 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 2021, grants of $156,225 were made. Information about applying for grants for 2022 can be found on the diocesan website at the directory for the Propagation of the Faith.
The Office of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith also administers three other grant programs in conjunction with grant committees and Bishop Knestout. The activities of these funds are not shown in the attached statement:
Fuel & Hunger. Grants were made in December 2021 in the amount $519,828 to 85 parishes, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia and conferences of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Funds for this worthy cause come primarily from the Annual Diocesan Appeal.
Respect Life. Grants were made in December 2021 to 17 parishes and organizations in the amount of $265,306. The source of the funds comes from an annual diocesan collection taken on the Sunday nearest to January 22. The grants support the sanctity of life from conception to natural death.
Rice Bowl. Grants were made in December 2021 to eight parishes in the amount of $26,700. These funds come from the Lenten Rice Bowl Collection in which 75% of the collection goes to Catholic Relief Services and 25% remains in the diocese for local grants for such things as promoting just and peaceful societies, care for creation and economic empowerment.
Thank you to all who make this work possible in our diocese — pastors, members of the advisory and grant committees and especially to the generous people of our parishes.
Editor’s note: For more information or if you have questions, please contact Deacon Bob Griffin at [email protected].