By Matthew Gambino • Posted February 28, 2025

The Catholic Charities Appeal launched its 2025 campaign Feb. 27 with a $10 million goal benefiting dozens of Catholic ministries that impact some 650,000 people each year in the Philadelphia region through the local Church’s charitable works of mercy.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez led the kick-off news conference at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center in Philadelphia. It featured speakers highlighting the human impact of local Catholic charitable ministries and lively choral as well as dance performances from beneficiaries.

SEE MORE >>> 2025 Catholic Charities Appeal Launches, Aims to Give Hope to All

The appeal is the largest annual fundraising initiative of the Archdiocese that supports dozens of Catholic social service agencies and other ministries in five major areas: special education, social services, evangelization, retired and infirm priests, and local mission activities. (Learn more about the beneficiaries here.)

“For over 65 years, the Catholic Charities Appeal has been a beacon of hope,” said Archbishop Pérez. “Over that time, it has lifted up millions of our sisters and brothers throughout the Philadelphia region most in need of hope and Christ’s compassionate love.”

He explained that the appeal supports such “works of mercy” as offering food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, housing for seniors, educational resources to help students with special needs thrive, and assistance for individuals and families facing poverty, addiction, “and many other immense hardships.”

These services reach one in five people in the Philadelphia region each year, and they “deserve dignity, respect, and compassion from all of us,” he said.

Archbishop Pérez also alluded to his recent pastoral letter in which he wrote, “We are living in times more like the earliest Christians — times when many are living without Christ.”

Many people feel disconnected from faith and are “burdened by sadness, loneliness, despair, and uncertain of where to turn for hope,” he said.

But the Church is present to serve everyone and its mission remains as it always has: “to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ’s love, mercy, and resurrection to a world that desperately needs it,” Archbishop Pérez said.

The Catholic Charities Appeal is an expression of this mission. Through the collective generosity of local Catholics, the Church can “encounter those in need and serve as the loving hands of our Savior,” he said.

Support for the appeal is a response to “the needs of our community not just with words, but with action. We are living out our call as Missionary Disciples,” he added.

“I invite you to join me in this sacred mission,” the archbishop said. “Every gift — no matter the amount — makes a profound difference and directly impacts countless lives in deeply meaningful ways.

“Together, we can ensure that no one seeking help from the Church is turned away.”

Ernie Russom, board president of the appeal, introduced at the news conference performances by some of the active and engaged seniors served by archdiocesan ministries that are supported by the appeal.

A choral group of eight seniors from Star Harbor Senior Community Center in South Philadelphia sang the rousing spiritual “Oh Happy Day” to open the event.

The closing performance came courtesy of the Hispanic dance troupe Grupo Alegría representing Norris Square Senior Community Center in North Philadelphia. The five members dressed in brilliantly colored and flowing attire danced with the joy indicated by their group’s name.

Both senior community centers are among those operated by Catholic Housing and Community Services (CHCS), which also builds affordable senior housing communities and runs parish-based eldercare programs. CHCS is a beneficiary of the appeal and an agency of archdiocesan Catholic Human Services.

Kate Baumgardner, assistant director of CHCS, spoke during the event about the range of services offered to seniors.

Natalie Morales also spoke about the ministries of healing and support available from the archdiocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities and the Deaf Apostolate, of which she is the director.

“We are committed to working with individuals and their families and offering true belonging, just as Christ calls each of us to do,” she said. “Your generous gift to the Catholic Charities Appeal makes you a partner in this work, helping us to create a more loving community for all.”

The work of these ministries and many others was summed up by Heather Huot, secretary for archdiocesan Catholic Human Services, the largest recipient of Catholic Charities Appeal funds.

“Our commitment to serving the most vulnerable through the charitable works of the Church of Philadelphia is unwavering,” she said. “As we come together to support the Catholic Charities Appeal, we are reaffirming our call to live out the Gospel mandate of loving our neighbors.

“The compassion and generosity we extend today will help build a brighter future for all in our community.”

***

Watch the full news conference here, and learn more about the Catholic Charities Appeal here.

The appeal is facilitated by the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia, at TheCFGP.org.