Bishop’s Annual Appeal

2025

Diocesan Development Fund (DDF)

Join Us in Making a Difference in the Church of Southern Missouri.

“…By the Eucharistic celebration we already unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life, when God will be All in all” (CCC 1326).

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Consider Joining the Crosier Society

The Crosier Society is an honorary society of donors who contribute 1% or more of their annual income to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. Last year, 174 people joined this list of supporters. Please consider being a member of the 2025 Crosier Society.

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A Letter from the Bishop

As we celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025 and the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, it is providential that our theme for the annual Diocesan Development Fund is One Church, Anchored in Christ, who alone is our hope and salvation.

As we launch the annual Bishop’s Appeal, I’m privileged to share with you a few examples of how your gifts to the DDF anchors our ongoing operational costs on a yearly basis for the 45 ministries being conducted through our diocesan offices.

Some of our parishes and missions do not possess all of the resources needed to adequately serve their own faith community. Our Diocesan Development Fund supplements, assists, and supports leadership in these parish and mission communities in order to provide the sacraments, formation, and guidance necessary to serve the faithful in all pockets of southern Missouri. In effect, DDF fosters unity within the diocese, strengthening and enriching our local parishes together in service of the Gospel.

I am amazed at all God accomplishes in our local Church, and that is due in no small part to the generosity of our people: generosity in spirit, in time, talent, and treasure: WE DO A LOT within our diverse, missionary diocese where Catholics continue to number around 5 percent of the general population! Because of the success of the annual DDF campaign, monetary donations made to the local parish are able to stay in the local parish for local needs and the annual assessment for the parish to the diocese is able to remain at the national low of 1 percent, or 1/2 a percent for those with a school.

I ask you to join me as we grow in Loving Jesus, Serving Jesus, and Sharing Jesus in our diocese, Anchored in Christ. Please give generously in our 2025 DDF campaign so that the love of Christ and his salvation may be made known and continues to be visible in each of our communities, ensuring the future of our One Church, East to West, Anchored in Christ, in Southern Missouri.

God bless you and thank you.

The Most Rev. Edward M. Rice

Bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau

What is the Diocesan Development Fund (DDF)?

The Bishop’s Annual Appeal, our Diocesan Development Fund Campaign (DDF), is the annual campaign for the diocese and takes place the first weekend of May. The funds raised through the campaign advance our mission through a host of ministries that assist our families, our parishes, and every diocesan ministry in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. The personal sacrifices of parishioners across the diocese directly benefit the lives of those who worship in our churches, those formed through religious education programs in our parishes and schools, and those who are consoled and comforted through our ministries and presence.

Explore the DDF Brochure | Explora el folleto de ddf