CHARLOTTE — As Advent quickly approaches, so does a day of great generosity. Save some money after shopping Black Friday and Cyber Monday to give back to Catholic-related charitable efforts on Tuesday, Nov. 29.
The Tuesday after Thanksgiving has become known as “Giving Tuesday.” Catholics can focus their charitable giving on this day in numerous ways.
Campaigns such as #iGiveCatholic, originally launched in 2015 as a 24-hour fundraiser to benefit the Catholic Community Foundation of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, have grown into a broader social media movement that resonates with people who want to combat the commercialization and consumerism that have attempted to overtake the true meaning of Christmas.
There are several local Catholic-related charitable efforts you can consider giving to this season, including Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte.
Thanks to your support, Catholic Charities helped almost 15,000 participants of all ages across the 46 counties in the diocese last year through more than a dozen services and programs to strengthen families, build communities and reduce poverty – including food pantries, mental health counseling and veteran services.
Find ways to help and donate to Catholic Charities at www.ccdoc.org/donate.
Another option to consider is St. Joseph College Seminary. This year the seminary is raising funds for a new vehicle.
“Our old bus is falling apart, and we do not want to continue putting the whole seminary on the same vehicle in case something bad happens,” said Father Matthew Kauth, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary.
“Our goal is to raise $50,000 for a new vehicle, an eight-seater Suburban, for the seminary.” This year, St. Joseph College Seminary has 49 young men in formation, the most in its history.
Needing the vehicle to travel frequently throughout the diocese, the seminarians are hoping to meet their goal on Giving Tuesday in order to continue on with their formation and apostolic activities. To donate, visit www.stjcs.org/donation.
Also consider Holy Angels in Belmont. Its mission is to provide compassionate, dependable care and opportunities for high-quality living to those with intellectual developmental disabilities and delicate medical conditions through physical, social, spiritual, educational, vocational and emotional support. Find out more and donate at https://www.holyangelsnc.org/donate.
Another option is the Airport Chaplaincy at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
While the chaplaincy is non-denominational in its mission to serve airport travelers and employees, deacons of the diocese are closely involved in its work.
The ministry has organized nearly 300 Masses and prayer services, ministered to 1,375 visitors and prayed hundreds of prayer requests from employees and travelers this year.
A 30-minute Catholic Mass is celebrated every Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport auditorium. (Photo via Facebook)Chaplains volunteered more than 2,600 hours ministering to people who travel and work at the airport, one of the nation’s busiest, and their work has been especially crucial in response to the economic impacts caused by the pandemic.
Consider donating to this ministry by going online to www.cltairportchapel.org.
Other options to “give Catholic” on Giving Tuesday include:
- Catholic Campus Ministry
- Catholic Schools
- Catholic Conference Center improvements
- Charlotte Catholic High School’s capital campaign
- Christ the King High School’s capital campaign
- Diocesan Support Appeal (DSA)
- Eucharistic Congress
- Priests’ Retirement and Benefits Collection
- Seminarian Education
- Donate a one-time gift or set up a recurring gift to your parish
Find links to donate at www.charlottediocese.org/development/ways-to-give
— Kimberly Bender