Catholic Archdiocesan Annual Appeal 2020

Giving to inspire H opeMy Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This year, as we began the Catholic Archdiocesan Annual Appeal (CAAA), we find ourselves in a most unusual set of circumstances. Having just experienced Hurricane Dorian we now find ourselves in the global pandemic of COVID-19. 2020 Each of you and your neighbours must face the economic challenges brought on by this global Catholic Archdiocesan pandemic. The Archdiocese must also face those challenges. As we reprioritize and stretch our resources, we must still perform our corporal works of mercy toward ANNUAL APPEAL those in greatest need. With that in mind I invite all of the faithful to participate in this year’s Appeal. After Hurricane Do- rian, we continue to offer assistance to those affected by the storm. We also have the challenge of rebuilding our schools and churches that were destroyed or damaged by the hurricane. Now with the pandemic, we must also offer social assistance to more people throughout the Archdio- cese, while our income has been severely impacted. It is my wish that you will Give to Inspire Hope to those we assist and for our ongoing pastoral programs and outreach. Your participation will be a benefit to our wider community, your parish, as well as the Archdiocese. I look forward to you being among those who support the 2020 CAAA. I thank all those who participated in the past and pray that many of you will be able to participate this year with any gift amount possible. If you haven’t done so, I invite you to be a first time donor. May every grace and blessing be yours. May God bless our Archdiocese and our nation. May 2020 Devotedly yours in Christ, Most Reverend Patrick C. Pinder, STD, CMG Archbishop of Nassau

ARCHDIOCESAN GOAL Disaster Relief Fund $60,000 $500,000 Since 2006 this fund has enabled us in helping to E.W.T.N.$11,000 assist our Bahamian community in the immediate aftermath of hurricanes or disasters. Last year Hur- ricane Dorian decimated parts of Eternal Word Television Network (E.W.T.N) is a Catholic Channel (Cable Channel 657). It is very popular with both Catholic and non-Catholics alike. The annual cost to the archdiocese is $25,000. Education Endowment Abaco and Grand Bahama. It challenged and Fund $25,000 Catholic Schools have been serving shifted our best plans and preparation. Many were the education needs of the Bahamian left without homes, businesses and even lost of community for 130 years. In order to life. Our schools and churches were also damaged continue to meet this vital need for in the affected areas. In the last fiscal year (ending August 31, 2019) there were no expenses for dis- the social devel- aster relief. In the past five years we spent 1.1 mil- opment of our lion. community, this fund seeks to Archdiocesan Humanitarian provide a solid Relief Fund $20,000 financial foun- dation for our Catholic Schools as we move into the future. This fund helps individuals Communications $25,000 and families in urgent need. This fund is parish based. The Archdiocese provides grants to the parishes for their humnaitarian mini- stries and efforts. This supports the upkeep of our Communications Studio as well as our radio programs such as Crossroads that are produced there. It also supports our newspaper the Bahama Catholic, the Archdiocesan facebook page and website. Last year’s cost was $77,520. 2

Seminarian, Deacon and Clergy Formation Archdiocesan Pastoral Programs $65,000 $50,000 At present there are 2 young men in formation for the priesthood. Each month our priests and dea- cons attend Pastoral Days. There is also an annual retreat for their ongoing spiritual formation. Our cost in 2019 was $133,094.00. Family Island Parish Assistance The Pastoral Programs funded by our Archdiocese for the $149,000 spiritual care and guidance of the faithful and the wider community include: Family Life programs such as – Mar- The Archdiocese riage Preparation, Marriage Encounter and the Men’s subsidizes the Group * Youth and Young Adult Ministry * Religious operational ex- Education including Rite of Christian Initiation for penses of most Adults (RCIA) * Samaritan Ministry. Last year’s cost was Family Island $302,693.00. Parishes. This cost included Archdiocesan Insurance building repairs Fund $80,000 and the purchase and maintenance Since of vehicles. In 1991, due 2019 our assistance to the es- was $435,673.00 and in the last five years we calating spent $2.865 million. cost of Property Benedictine Sisters’ Retirement Insur- Fund $15,000 ance, cat- astrophic The Archdiocese continues its coverage commitment to the retirement fund of the Benedic- on all our properties became unaffordable. At that time the tine Sisters at St. Martin’s Monastery. The annual Archdiocese of Nassau established an Insurance Fund while contribution is now $15,000. continueing to purchase catastrophic coverage on selected properties as well as fire coverage and other perals on all properties. The cost to insure all of the Archdiocesan prop- erties the last fiscal year was $628,463.00. PARISH SHARING FORMULA The Catholic Archdiocesan Annual Appeal has served as a source of major fundraising for the parishes due to the return received from the Parish Sharing Formula. This gives parishes additional resources and financial assistance to carry out special projects. Parishes achieving their goal in cash will receive 40% of all funds raised in cash over the goal. 3

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP Giving to inspire H ope Your gift in the form of a pledge will enable you to give more easily. You may be willing and able to make your entire gift at one time. If not, when you make a pledge you are asked for the first of four monthly payments. The remainder will be billed through monthly statements. The 2020 Appeal ends November 30, 2020. We offer several gift plans. We appreciate any gift that is proportionate to your budget, or any contribution that your needs permit. With your help we will be able to fully address our Archdiocesan needs. Donations are not subject to VAT. Payment Methods: Checks: - Bahamian or US Dollar checks drawn on local banks should be made payable to Catholic Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. Checks drawn on banks in the United States should be made payable to Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nassau Foundation Inc. Tax ID is 11-379-8061. Online Payments - RBC Customers can use the Pay Bills or Send to RBC Client features. The payee is Roman Catholic Archbishop of Nassau, Bahamas. Non RBC Customers may also make online transfers to RBC from their local banks. Kanoo - download the app on your smart phone, ipad or personal computer. Wire Transfer - Contact Mrs. Renee Knowles at email: [email protected] for transfer instructions. Credit and Debit Card payments: can be made at the CAAA Office. Visit the Archdiocesan website at www.archdioceseofnassau.org For more information Remember to also include the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal when doing your Will and Estate Planning. 4

Pledge Card When you make your donation, please forward a completed pledge form and notify our CAAA office or your Parish , or a member of your CAAA team, so that your gift can be tracked and acknowledged. 5