March 6, 2024

With a grateful heart, Bishop Terry R. LaValley is pleased to announce that through generous contributions from over 6,500 households, the 2023 Bishop’s Fund Appeal – We Share the Burden has reached its goal of $1.3 million.

 “I am deeply grateful to the many parishioners across the diocese who generously support the mission of the Catholic Church here in the North Country through the Bishop’s Fund Appeal,” Bishop LaValley said. “On behalf of the many individuals and families in the Diocese of Ogdensburg who have benefited from the generosity of our donors, thank you! The generous support of our donors brings much hope and has a significant impact on peoples’ lives through the ministries and programs of this annual Appeal. I also wish to extend my appreciation to our priests and deacons whose strong leadership and personal sacrifice support this important Appeal each year. As you know, we are blessed with a wonderful Bishop’s Fund team, led by our Director, Val Mathews.”

As of March 1, the Bishop’s Fund Appeal has collected $1,345,736.36 in gifts received with $69,017.26 remaining in promised pledges. The Bishop’s Fund Office will continue to receive payments on the 2023 pledges until the close of the fiscal year on June 30, 2024.

The Bishop’s Fund Appeal continues to provide the following programs and ministries of the Diocese of Ogdensburg: Education of Seminarians; Family Life Ministry; Natural Family Planning; Respect Life Ministry; Formation for Ministry Program; Office of the New Evangelization; Continuing Education and Formation of Priests; Priests’ Graduate Studies; Vocations; Permanent Deacons; Deacon Formation; Tuition Assistance Program; Campus Ministry Program; Matching Gifts to Catholic Schools; Department of Faith Formation; Youth Ministry; Young Adult Ministry; Guggenheim Center; Department of Worship and the Bishop’s Good Samaritan Fund.

Any funds received over this year’s goal will provide additional emergency grants to individuals and families through the Bishop’s Good Samaritan Fund. During the course of the year, many families and individuals reach out to their pastor for help with unexpected emergencies.

Pastors, on behalf of a parishioner or community member requests Bishop LaValley’s assistance to help the person or family in need. We have recently experienced an increase in grant requests from the Bishop’s Good Samaritan Fund for those who are in urgent need of assistance due to illness and high medical costs, heating costs, furnace repairs, home repairs and loss of homes to fire.

The Bishop’s Good Samaritan Fund also provides assistance to food pantries, soup kitchens, outreach centers and snack pack programs so that they may continue to help families in need.

If you have made a pledge to the 2023-24 Bishop’s Fund Appeal, you are encouraged to mail your final pledge payment before June 15, 2024. If you have not made a gift or wish to make an additional gift, donations can be mailed to: The Bishop’s Fund Appeal, PO Box 150, Ogdensburg, NY 13669 or made online at www.rcdony.org/giving/donate-now-bishop-s-fund