National Collections

Special Collection for the Middle East

The bishops of the United States will express their solidarity with Christians and other minorities in the Middle East in the face of ongoing violence and persecution by taking up a special collection. Proceeds from the collection will support immediate humanitarian and pastoral needs, as well as the cost of long-term church reconstruction. 

The collection will be taken in parishes across the United States on either the weekend of September 6-7 or the following weekend of September 13-14.

Archbishop Kurtz wrote to President Obama expressing his concern for the plight of Christians in the Middle East. Read the letter on Archbishop Kurtz's blog.

• Letter from Archbishop Kurtz to the U.S. bishops
• Learn about Catholic Relief Services' response to the humanitarian needs in the Middle East
  
• Transmittal Form for the Special Collection for the Middle East 2014

For Donations

• Dioceses, please use the transmittal form. 

• Individuals may send checks to:
  
  USCCB
  Office of National Collections
  P.O. Box 96278
  Washington, DC 20090-6278
  
  Memo portion of check: Special Collection for the Middle East 2014

"As faithful disciples and imitators of Christ, you are urged to go against the current, choosing the evangelical option of serving the brethren…above all, because you are impelled by the unceasing power of divine charity."

— Pope John Paul II (2001)

Each parish is part of the Church Universal; it is the Catholic Church in a particular place. The bishops of the United States created the national collections so that, by combining resources, we can more effectively carry out our mission as Catholics. Each of these important collections is worthy of your support. Each collection represents our community of faith at work in the world, saving souls and
improving lives.

The Pope Francis Effect

USCCB National Collections partnered with Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities (FADICA) to conduct a survey on recent giving patterns within the Catholic Church. This survey focused particular attention on whether Pope Francis has had a positive effect on giving. Read the survey results.

CARA Report - Online Giving

Thirty-two percent of working-age Catholics have given online at some point, according to a report on U.S. Catholic and online giving from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). 

"The knowledge gained from this report is important for our understanding of the current patterns of giving among Catholics," said Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr of Cincinnati, chairman of the USCCB National Collections Committee. Read
the press release.

Guidelines

This document, approved in November 2011 and addressed to bishops and to diocesan and parish personnel, provides guidance and explanation about the nature and meaning of the national collections and direction on how they should be best administered.

One Church. One Mission—Guidelines for Administering USCCB National Collections in Dioceses 

2014/2015 National Collection Schedule

• 2014/2015 National Collections Schedule

One Church. One Mission. Real Lives.

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development works to break the cycle of poverty by funding community programs that encourage independence. You are essential to its success. Your generous donations to this collection will give those in poverty the support they need to make lasting changes. Together, we can make a difference in families and communities across the United States.

The 2014 CCHD Collection will take place November 22-23, but your diocese may participate by taking it up on another date during the year. Please check with your local diocese if you would like to be a part of this collection. If your diocese does not participate, learn how to give here. Please donate prayerfully and generously. Thank you!

Materials to promote the collection are available on our website. Please use these materials and share this opportunity to show your solidarity for our brothers and sisters struggling with poverty and unemployment. 

For more information, please contact the National Collections staff at 202-541-3346 or ncpromo@usccb.org. We truly appreciate your support of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.