By Anthony Richards
Since 2015, #iGiveCatholic has helped Catholics identify needs in their communities and support ministries that make a meaningful impact. The giving effort is part of the larger Giving Tuesday initiative, which takes place this year on Dec. 2, but early giving is already underway.
This year, 63 ministries across the Diocese of St. Augustine are registered to participate through the Catholic Foundation’s #iGiveCatholic portal. The list includes 21 schools, 23 parishes and 20 ministries, each working to strengthen the Church’s mission in North Florida.
“The Catholic Foundation is honored to sponsor our diocese’s participation in #iGiveCatholic for the fifth year,” said Patty DiSandro, executive director of the Catholic Foundation. “It has been inspiring to see Catholics across our diocese come together on Giving Tuesday to support our parishes, Catholic schools and ministries.”
Among the ministries participating is the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios, which is seeking $60,000 to restore the outdoor altar behind the Shrine Church and install a new portable sound system to support large outdoor Masses, gatherings and events across the Shrine’s historic 27-acre grounds.
Other efforts reflect the diverse needs and missions throughout the diocese:
- The Office of Vocations hopes to raise $10,000 to support the growing number of discerners and seminarians. Funds will help provide transportation to seminary “Come and See” weekends and allow seminarians to attend formation events such as the SEEK26 Conference.
- The Office of Christian Formation seeks $3,000 to support resources and training for a formation conference in partnership with the National Catholic Partnership on Disability. Topics include adaptive classroom ideas and best practices for welcoming individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities into parish life.
- Epiphany Catholic School in Lake City hopes to raise $50,000 to expand its Suzuki Violin and Cello programs by providing high-quality instruments and music supplies for students who are growing in faith through the gift of music.
In addition to these highlighted projects, many schools, parishes and ministries are participating simply to strengthen their ongoing mission work, educational programs and outreach services.
This includes the essential support offered year-round by regional Catholic Charities offices in Jacksonville, Lake City, Gainesville and St. Augustine.
Although Giving Tuesday is Dec. 2, donations may be made now. To explore projects and support a ministry, school or parish of your choice, visit www.igivecatholic.org/community/staugustine. And remember that, while #iGiveCatholic shines a spotlight on giving each November and December, parishes, schools and ministries rely on support throughout the year—because the call to serve our community never stops.
