The Official Website of Killala Diocese, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Fundraising - Bishop's Appeal

My Dear Priests and People,

I would like, first of all, to thank you most sincerely for your encouragement and your welcome when I visited your parish recently for the purpose of sharing with you my thoughts on the finances of the Diocese of Killala.

You will have seen in the Pastoral Letter which I wrote you in November 2006 that Diocesan Funds as such are only supported by two collections each year, namely The Bishop's Appeal which is held on St. Patrick's Day and the appeal for the Education of Priests and Seminarians. As St. Patrick's Day approaches I am turning to you once again to appeal for your support for the work of this diocese.

You will have noticed in the figures which I gave you for 2005 that the overall cost of running the diocese that year amounted to €279,784. The income from the Bishop's Appeal collection and the collection for the Education of Priests amounted to €90,889 which left a shortfall of €187,000. This shortfall was met by a direct levy of €20 on each household in the parishes of the dioceses. In an effort, therefore, to reduce the levy on the parishes I am making a special appeal to you for your support of the Bishop's Annual Appeal.

The Bishop's Appeal pays

Send a cheque to:

Most Reverend
John Fleming D.D.
Bishop's House,
Ballina, Co.Mayo,
Ireland

for the everyday running costs of the diocese .
It runs the Diocesan Office and allows the diocese to be organised, the parishes to be supported and the many other activities in which the diocese is engaged to be funded.

for the contributions made by the Diocese of Killala to Catholic agencies such as CURA, which helps those who experience a crisis in their pregnancy, ACCORD, which helps those preparing for marriage as well as those who experience difficulties in their marriages, the welfare of Prisoners Abroad, especially those who have little contact with families and friends in Ireland, Immigrants and Emigrants and many other support structures organised by the Irish Bishops' Conference.

the on-going education of priests and the education of seminarians,

the provision of Religious Education at Primary and Secondary level

I am conscious of the fact that the day to day work of the diocese does not impinge on you directly. However, much of my work as bishop and that of the administration of the diocese is done out of the limelight. I appeal, therefore, to you for your generosity in supporting the work of the diocese. I would appreciate, therefore, if you would keep this in mind when you are making your contribution either in cash or through the envelope system on St. Patrick's Day weekend this year.

Once again I thank you for your generosity and support.

With every best wish,

Yours sincerely,

+ John Fleming.

Bishop of Killala