Meeting the needs of our community.
Begun in 1964, the House of Charity has been an annual fundraiser supporting the ministries of the Diocese of Camden to meet various needs throughout South Jersey. While successful – since 2002, the annual appeal has raised more than $150 million thanks to the consistent and faithful support of Catholics like you – the name of the campaign has made its purpose vague.
With the number and scope of ministries supported by the campaign now so large, the name of the Annual Appeal is being changed to reflect its expanded scope.
Beginning with the 2023 campaign, the House of Charity – Bishop’s Annual Appeal will be called the South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal.
We are making this change for three primary purposes:
1. To better describe the variety of causes and ministries supported by the Annual Appeal.
2. To emphasize the importance of our regional community in the annual effort.
3. To distinguish clearly the Annual Appeal from one of its prominent beneficiaries: Catholic Charities, a separate organization providing social service to the six counties of our region.
While the name, logos, and colors of the Annual Appeal are changing, the mission remains the same. Every dollar donated to the South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal will go to the ministries themselves and cannot be used for other purposes. The Annual Appeal will continue to be managed by the dedicated team in the Office of Development and carried out by the faithful pastors and volunteer teams of the parishes.
The ministries that you have loving supported for years through your giving will continue to be supported by the Annual Appeal under this new name. With your help, we will continue to ensure that the ministries of our local church will have the resources they need to carry out their work long into the future.
2023 APPEAL: “For the Life of the World”
In every way, the work of our ministries emanates from the Eucharist. As Saint John Paul II said, “The Eucharist is the heart of the Church. Where Eucharistic life flourishes, there the life of the church will blossom.” The Eucharist is the true presence of Jesus Christ, it is the spiritual food that gives us strength to carry out His work each day and everything we do as Catholics emanates from that.
The theme of this year’s campaign, “For the Life of the World,” reminds us that our spiritual sustenance and community are rooted in the Eucharist, in Christ. Your individual gift to this Appeal will become one of many that unites and builds up the one Body of Christ. Through our various ministries across the diocese your gift is shared and brings comfort, relief, encouragement and support to many.
By supporting the Catholic Ministries Appeal, you are supporting those who comprise the programs and ministries of the Diocese of Camden. These ministries serve the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the hungry and challenged. When we support the Catholic Ministries Appeal, we can bring the light of hope to those in the Catholic community of South Jersey.
To learn more about the 2023 year's annual appeal “For the Life of the Word” please view the presentation from Bishop Dennis Sullivan.
Donations to the South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal can be made online at SJCMA giving page. https://camdendiocese.org/sjcma/
Please remember to select Saint Maximilian Kolbe as your designated parish.
Thank you for your consideration of donating to this worthy cause.