2025 Bishop’s Annual Appeal

Pilgrims of Hope: Journeying Together in Faith, Hope and Charity
In announcing the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis instructed that it be celebrated, “with deep faith, lively hope and active charity.” It is a reminder that we are called to discover hope in current times and to be the instruments of hope for others. One tangible way to accomplish this is by giving to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. Through our shared support of our pastoral, educational and charitable ministries, we are assisting those most in need and spreading the message of hope in the Lord!


Your gift will support

Deep Faith: Seminarian Formation
We are blessed to have 19 men currently studying for the priesthood in the Diocese of Metuchen. Through your ongoing prayers and generous financial support, you play a significant role in nurturing the vocation of these individuals and so many others who came to the priesthood before them. Your gift to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal will provide tuition for their education, healthcare, insurance and so much more. With your help, these future priests will be well prepared to shepherd the faithful in our parishes and other special ministries.    

Lively Hope: Campus Ministry
With their enthusiasm and energy, our youth and young adults are the embodiment of hope! However, they need our attention and care. At the Catholic Center at Rutgers University, students and young adults find a safe haven where they are able to grow in the knowledge and practice of the faith, experience a meaningful sense of service to the community, and come to a deeper understanding of their call to discipleship. Your gift to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal is an investment in the future of our Church and civic communities.

Active Charity: Catholic Charities
Especially during this Holy Year, we are called to be “tangible signs of hope” for our brothers and sisters experiencing hardships of any kind. Every day we meet people who are poor or impoverished, struggling with addictions or facing homelessness. Your gift to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal helps to provide the basic necessities of life and critical counseling services for the most vulnerable.



Shared Support of Ministries
All funds received from the 2024 Bishop’s Annual Appeal will be used, without exception, to provide the services described below.

Ministry                                 Allocation

Youth Related Ministries    $1,835,000
    Youth & Young Adult Ministry
    Discipleship Formation for Children
    Catholic Schools

Catholic Charities & Social Ministry    $1,700,000
    Basic Needs: food, transitional housing, shelters
    Counseling Services
    Child Care & Maternity Services
    Emergency & Disaster Relief Services
    Family Life Ministries
    Ongoing Faith Formation
    Social Justice
    Worship & Liturgical Formation

Vocations, Seminarian Formation & Diaconate    $1,380,000

Pastoral Life    $805,000
    Catholic Center at Rutgers University
    Multi-Cultural Ministry
    Hispanic Ministry
    Human Life & Dignity

Evangelization & Communications    $605,000
    Evangelization
    The Catholic Spirit (diocesan newspaper)
    Communications
    Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

Maria Regina Residence for Retired Priests    $495,000

Hospital Chaplains    $385,000

Prison Chaplains     $95,000

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2025 Bishop’s Annual Appeal Goal   $7,400,000



Ways to share gifts

Pledging: Choosing to pledge with your desired payment schedule over time may allow you to be more generous. Monthly reminders will be sent.
Gift by Check: Whether your gift is a one-time, paid-in-full gift or an installment of a pledged gift, please make your check payable to: Diocese of Metuchen-Bishop’s Annual Appeal.
Gift by Credit Card: Complete your gift and credit card information on your pledge card or visit our secure online giving site at https://diometuchen.org/BAA.
Gift of Appreciated Stock or Securities: Federal tax laws allow a charitable deduction for the full market value of stock or securities on the date they are gifted. For information on making such a gift, please contact the Office of Stewardship & Development at 732-562-2432.
Matching Your Gift: Corporate matching gifts are a great way to maximize your personal contribution. Go to www.matchinggifts.com/diometuchen or call 732-562-2432 for more information.

Leadership Giving
You are invited to join the community of benefactors who provide the leadership that inspires others to support the pastoral, educational and charitable ministries of the Diocese of Metuchen. Members contribute to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal at the following levels:
•   CIRCLE of STEWARDS: $50,000 and above
•   CATHEDRA CIRCLE: $25,000 - $49,999
•   MITRE CIRCLE: $10,000 - $24,999
•   SHEPHERD’S SOCIETY: $5,000 - $9,999
•   BISHOP’S GUILD: $2,500 - $4,999
•   DISCIPLES’ SOCIETY: $1,000 - $2,499
•   FIDELIS SOCIETY: $500 - $999 for 5 consecutive years

Legacy Society
The Legacy Society is our way of celebrating the generosity of Catholic friends who are providing for the future of the Church through a planned gift. Have you remembered your parish, parish school or a ministry of the Diocese of Metuchen in your will or estate plan? If so, please let us know so we can express our thanks for your commitment to advancing the mission of the Church by honoring you as a member at our annual prayer service and gathering. For more information on Planned Giving visit www.diometuchen.plannedgiving.org or call the Office of Stewardship & Development at 732-562-2432.


Parish Rebates
To provide parishes with a share in the success of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, parishes will receive rebates totaling 50% of the amount collected over goal. Rebates are not assessed and can be used for local needs at the pastor’s discretion. Some examples of how parishes used rebate funds in the past include: enhancing parish youth ministry programs, funding parish social events, increasing parish savings, fixing roofs and parking lots, as well as for capital purchases and the care and upkeep of parish buildings and grounds.


Good stewards: Bishop’s Annual Appeal Foundation
Central to our understanding of Christian stewardship is the concept of accountability. To safeguard the gifts you have entrusted to our care, we recently set up a special foundation where all the money from this Appeal goes so that it can be used only for those ministries advertised in the Appeal materials and website. You can be assured that your gift is well protected and well used; making a difference in meeting the spiritual, educational and social needs of the people we serve. A gift to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal is a worthy investment.


Please give generously. Give online: diometuchen.org
Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen
P.O. Box 4000, Metuchen, NJ 08840-4000    732-562-1990