November 1, 2024

Nov. 9-10 is the annual UCA intention weekend to support seminarian formation, Catholic Charities, retired priests and more

By Natalie Hoefer

United Catholic Appeal (UCA) logoThe weekend of Nov. 9-10 is the archdiocesan annual United Catholic Appeal (UCA) intention weekend in parishes across central and southern Indiana.

The goal for this year’s appeal is $6.3 million. The money will be distributed to ministries and organizations throughout the archdiocese that meet needs no single parish or deanery can independently address, such as seminarian and diaconate formation, care for retired priests, Catholic Charities, the support of college campus ministry to keep young adults engaged in the faith, homeless shelters and more. (Related: How the UCA goal is determined)

The theme of this year’s appeal is “United in the Eucharist.”

“Your financial backing for the pastoral, charitable and diocesan ministries of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis serves as a courageous testament to our unity in the Eucharist,” Archbishop Charles C. Thompson said in a letter to the archdiocese posted on the website for the United Catholic Appeal (unitedcatholicappeal.org). “By stewarding and sharing your resources, you amplify the reach of our impact in central and southern Indiana, and beyond.

“In these challenging times, the imperative to draw the people of our archdiocese closer to Jesus Christ through our many ministries and programs grows ever more urgent. To meet this call, we rely on your support. …

“We are fortunate that every contribution to the United Catholic Appeal directly fuels ministry initiatives. Whether your donation is $5 or $500 per month, it will leave a lasting imprint on someone’s life.” (See related article, “Archbishop says supporting UCA ‘realizes hope, power of God at work’ ” on page 10A.)

In the last year, that impact included the following:

  • Sheltering more than 900 families at Holy Family Shelter in Indianapolis.
  • Staffing 32 Catholic schools throughout central and southern Indiana with social workers through Catholic Charities’ Social Work Program.
  • Serving more than 700 children through the three Mother Theodore Catholic Academies.
  • Graduating 15 certified pastoral leaders from throughout the archdiocese through the Intercultural Pastoral Leadership Institute.
  • Providing financial support to archdiocesan seminarians at Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis and Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad.
  • Supporting 37 retired priests who have devoted their lives to serving others.
  • Welcoming more than 1,000 young adults at Theology on Tap events.

In advance of intention weekend, Catholics in central and southern Indiana are asked to consider—through prayer and with gratitude—how they are called to help those in need, educate and catechize children and adults, and support seminarians and retired priests through the United Catholic Appeal.
 

(For more information on the United Catholic Appeal, visit unitedcatholicappeal.org or call the Office of Stewardship and Development at 317-236-1415.) †

 

Related story: Archbishop says supporting UCA ‘realizes hope, power of God at work’

Local site Links: