Collection for Canadian Church needs set for Sept. 26-27

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops will be holding its annual Collection for the Needs of the Church in Canada at parishes nationwide Sept. 26-27. 

Each year, the collection provides Canadian Catholics the ability to support the mission of their own diocese or eparchy while joining with Catholics across the country in bolstering the shared work of Canada’s bishops through the CCCB. 

Funds from the collection help sustain national initiatives in evangelization and faith formation, accompanying migrants and refugees, recognizing the suffering and vulnerable, promoting respect for human life and the dignity of every human person and developing pastoral resources that serve dioceses, eparchies, parishes and Catholics throughout Canada.

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While the annual National Family and Life Week, which took place this year from May 10 to 17, provides practical resources to help families, children, youth and parishes grow in faith and share the Gospel, this year’s newly launched CCCB Service for Migrant and Refugee Ministry (Human Mobility) will look to strengthen the ability of dioceses, eparchies and Catholic communities to welcome and accompany newcomers as well. 

Last year’s collection carried a similar weight, with funds going towards bishops’ collaborative work on doctrinal and ethical matters, ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, evangelization, faith formation and catechesis, social justice issues, liturgy and relations with Indigenous peoples, among others. 

“These are concrete examples of what becomes possible when Catholics generously unite in service of the whole Church,” the bishops said in a release. 

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A message from the president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Pierre Goudreault of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière, further explains the importance of the dual-serving collection. 

“This collection is more than a local offering; it is an expression of communion and shared responsibility. Catholics not only support the mission of their own dioceses and eparchies, but join with believers across the country to carry forward this shared mission,” Goudreault’s message read. 

“Whatever the size of your gift, it helps strengthen the Church locally and makes it possible to carry out the work of the mission from coast to coast.” 

Whether maintaining the Church’s mission near or far, Catholics are reminded yearly by the collection that what begins as a gift on the local parish level can become part of something felt across the country. 

Goudreault ends his letter with a heartfelt thank you for the prayers and generous support of Canadian Catholics on behalf of all the bishops. 

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“By supporting this collection, you help build up the Church in your own community and stand in solidarity with Catholics throughout the country. Together, we can continue to proclaim the Gospel everywhere and serve our brothers and sisters with faith, hope and charity.”  

To contribute to the Collection for the Needs of the Church in Canada, visit cccb.ca/donate or seek options in-person through your local parish.