Annual Catholic Services Appeal
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
With the light and love of Jesus Christ shining in and through us, we ourselves become light unto others. The 2026 Annual Catholic Services Appeal – the purpose of which is as laudable as it is imperative –is a plea to become what you are: Be the light.
The Appeal provides essential funds for some of the most essential components of this local Church, including: • the formation of our priests who celebrate Mass and confer the sacraments, • Catholic schools and parish religious education, • family and life ministries, pastoral care and charitable outreach for those in need, and welcoming new members to our Catholic family and other initiatives of inclusion and belonging, to mention just a few of the dozens of programs that are made possible because of your generous support. The list of beneficiaries of your support of the Appeal is also a long one: We all benefit from these blessings and just imagine if they were not available.
Our lives shine brightly when we share in common what we have for the benefit of others, and by being a part of something greater than ourselves. When we do so, something beautiful happens. As Pope Leo put it last year, “no one walks alone.” By joining together in a spirit of fraternity, “we kindle each other. The flames of hearts unite and become one great fire that lights the way.”
If you have contributed to the Appeal in the past, I thank you for your kindness and ask that you help even more this year – the need is certainly there. If you have not, I encourage you to prayerfully consider supporting this splendid work of the Lord for the first time. It will make an enormous difference if you do. By making this choice to “be the light,” not only do you become a protagonist in the blessed work of this local Church whereby we and others “come to realize that Jesus’ words are addressed personally to each of them: ‘I have loved you,’” but the Lord rewards those who gratuitously share the bounty He has given them (Dilexi Te, 121) but he Lord rewards those who gratuitously share the bounty He has given them.
“Whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Cor. 9:6). May God’s blessings be on you and all those who will be helped by the light of your generosity.
Our mission to “Be the Light” manifests itself in countless ways in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. From faith formation and catechesis, to outreach and evangelization, your gift will have a wide-ranging impact benefiting thousands across the District of Columbia and five surrounding counties of Maryland.
VOCATIONS, SEMINARIAN EDUCATION AND CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS SUPPORT
$4.7 million
CATHOLIC EDUCATION AND CATECHESIS
$2.1 million
CHAPLAINS FOR CAMPUS MINISTRIES, HOSPITALS AND PRISONS
$1.5 million
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND OUTREACH MINISTRIES
$1.4 million
COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL EVANGELIZATION
$1.2 million
PARISH, FAMILY AND LIFE MINISTRIES
$1.1million
BE THE HOPE
In times of uncertainty and need, Christ calls us to be the hope that renews hearts. When we support those in need, we reflect His love and eternal light. Your support of this year’s Annual Catholic Services Appeal helps the Church bring hope to those searching for meaning, comfort to those in pain, and faith to those who have lost their way.
BE THE HANDS
As disciples, we are the hands through which God’s mercy reaches the world. Through your gifts, the Church can continue its mission to feed the hungry, educate the young, and care for the vulnerable. Each act of giving becomes a prayer in motion—a living sign of God’s compassion. When you share what you have, you extend Christ’s light to every corner of our community.
BE THE LIGHT
Jesus tells us, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). This is both a calling and a promise—that our faith, when shared, transforms lives. By supporting the Appeal, you help the light of Christ shine brightly through our parishes, schools, and ministries. Let your generosity be the beacon that guides others to His love, illuminating the path of faith for all.
Statement of Accountability:100% of your donation is restricted to the programs and ministries that are a part of the Appeal and will not be used for any other purpose. Independently audited financial statements may be found at adw.org/about-us/who-we-are/financial-reports.
“I think faith transcends time. There are always challenges, but I’ve seen faith in my life and in my family. Even if there’s a growing separation from the Church, I think people still find God, especially in unexpected ways.”
Daniel Reyes, Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School 2025 Valedictorian
“Once I opened myself to Him, I could see how the Lord had been forming me throughout my life. He was asking me to place my talents at the foot of the cross and serve the Church. Growing up, the idea of home – of having a place where, come hell or high water, you can return and be safe – was deeply instilled in me. I want to build that for others, a parish that is a fortress, a safe haven, where people can encounter Christ and know they are loved.”
Rev. Louis McHale, ordained June 21, 2025, Parochial Vicar of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Upper Marlboro, Md.
“College can be a really confusing time with so many paths, but there’s one place on campus where your worries and fears can go away. This place is a safe space to know Christ and give all the worries to him. You get to find out that you’re not alone, you’ve never been alone, and the Lord has been waiting for you to say yes to his love!”
Luz Gaytan, University of Maryland junior, President of the Catholic Student Center
“God has always helped us meet our community’s needs. As Catholic Christians, when there’s a need in the community, our call is to respond with love. That’s why I volunteer, to show love to people and help them do good. When we put food in someone’s hands, we’re reminding them — and ourselves — they’re not forgotten.”
Larry Donnelly, Director of the St. John Vianney Inter-Faith Food Pantry, Prince Frederick, Md.
Contact Us:
301-637-6129
[email protected]
Annual Catholic Services Appeal
P.O. Box 29260
Washington, DC 20017-0260