Click here to read the press release for the
2009 Catholic Home Missions Appeal
We offer the following ideas and suggestions as aids in planning for the annual Catholic Home Missions Appeal (CHMA).
November – December
Working alone or with a committee of interested laity, plan this year’s campaign. Brainstorm more effective ways to promote the Appeal, taking the needs of pastors and donors into account. Most importantly, try hard to personalize the Appeal by contacting every pastor and explaining the Home Missions cause through one-on-one meetings, telephone calls, a presentation at presbyteral or deanery meetings, or some other means.
February
Encourage pastors in every parish (or at least in key ones) to designate an interested parishioner to promote the Appeal. Parish representatives can ensure collection envelope distribution; explain the CHMA to the Parish Council and Finance Council, encourage the pastor to endorse the collection at Mass, and do whatever else wisdom and prudence suggest.
Call your diocesan newspaper editors to request that they donate advertising space in their April issues to the CHMA, or ask the Home Missions staff to underwrite the ads.
March
When the Diocesan Coordinator's kits arrive, make them available to your diocesan education, development and communications staff.
Distribute parish CHMA materials unless Our Sunday Visitor is mailing them to parishes directly.
April
Encourage your diocesan newspaper to run feature stories on programs funded by the CHMA, either in your own diocese or in a mission diocese. Ads and press materials are available online.
Ask your bishop to write to priests and diocesan editors about the upcoming Appeal. (See the Sample Bishops' Letter on this website.)
Arrange diocesan press coverage of the Appeal. Ask the editor to print the bishop's letter.
May
Ask the editor to announce the results of the Appeal in the diocesan press, thanking all donors.
