Diocesan Assistance Fund for Parishes: $7.5 million

“God is our refuge and our strength, an ever‐present help in distress. Therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.” (Bishop O’Connell, Blue Mass Homily 2014)

Our Diocese provides a significant financial safety net to parishes that struggle with crucial expenses such as roof replacement, boiler repair or replacement, and other more urgent needs.  Approximately 40% of all parishes have received this kind of assistance in the past 15 years.

With each passing year, aging parish complexes require more repairs and maintenance, the cost of doing business rises, and the need to employ professional ministerial staff increases.  As many of our parishes face the fiscal challenges driven by these trends, the need for extraordinary assistance grows.