2025 Catholic Sharing Appeal: Building a future of Hope

BY TERRY DICKSON

DIOCESE OF BILOXI – The 2025 Catholic Sharing Appeal kicked off on Ash Wednesday in the Diocese of Biloxi.

“In the Book of Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord says, ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. This verse tells of God’s desire for us to have hope and that this theological virtue is essential in our earthly journey and our discipleship of the Lord Jesus. Pope Francis encourages us to draw inspiration from this scripture and urges us to cultivate hope within ourselves and our communities,” said Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III.

“The 2025 Catholic Sharing Appeal message, “Building a Future of Hope” is based on this scripture and is just as relevant today as it was at the time of Jeremiah. I invite you to enter into this scripture and to join me, and your brothers and sisters of our diocese, on this mission of hope to build our Church through supporting those in need and advancing the spiritual growth of the Church.”

By supporting the Catholic Sharing Appeal, you are joining thousands of other faithful Catholics in our diocese in working together to make a difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters. With your intentional decision to contribute to our appeal, you witness to the Lord helping in the creation of pathways of love and compassion through the ministries and programs that bring the Good News of Christ to others, support our retired priests, seminarians, those struggling to put food on their tables, those in need of housing, and programs that promote the sanctity of life at all stages.

By contributing to the Catholic Sharing Appeal, you help to:

• Provide care for our priests, seminarians and permanent deacons
• Support efforts of Evangelization, Mission Advancement and Diocesan-wide Communications
• Provide Physical and Spiritual Outreach through Catholic Charities of South Mississippi and De L’Epee Deaf Center
• Offer Catechesis and Faith Formation

The Catholic Sharing Appeal supplies essential funds for youth and young adults to provide a sound Catholic formation for a life of discipleship, as well as funding for the Offices of Hispanic Ministry, Marriage and Family Life, Youth Ministry, Scouting, Diocesan Faith Formation Programs and the Gulf Pine Catholic.

“When we participate in our Catholic Sharing Appeal, we come together, as the Body of Christ, to build and invest in people and projects that enhance Catholic life, support social outreach, and bring the mission of Christ to life in our diocese,” said Bishop Kihneman. “As a participant in this appeal, your gift helps build a future where the Church’s mission can radiate to our communities, reinforcing the Church’s role as the beacon of hope, and laying the groundwork for a flourishing community rooted in the values of the Gospel. Your action of giving nurtures our Catholic belief to share the gifts that God has given us and foster a sense of a shared community involved and resilient in trust in God’s promises.”

For more information, click on the QR code or visit www.biloxidiocese.org/csa