My dear brother priests and dedicated parish staff,
Thank you in advance for your support of this year’s Bishop’s Annual Appeal and for sharing with your parishioners the story of the two vital ministries it helps support: providing dignified and loving care for our retired or sick priests, and ensuring a joyful formation for those preparing to join us in service.
Funds raised from this appeal will be equally distributed to the two tax-deductible funds established in our diocese to support these ministries: the Clergy Care Fund (CCF) and the Seminarian Education Fund (SEF). I am deeply comforted knowing these funds are guided by the capable, caring hands of our own brothers; Fr Damien Ellis and Mons David O’Brien (CCF), and Fr Bernard Gordon and Fr Duane Fernandez (SEF).
Thank you for your faithful prayers, your generous spirit, and your unwavering commitment to the life of our diocese. Your pastoral leadership, kindness, and support are a true blessing, and I am deeply grateful for your partnership in this appeal.
Yours in Christ
Most Rev Brian G Mascord
BISHOP OF WOLLONGONG
BEFORE the appeal
expand_morePlease prepare your parish by:
- displaying the A3 appeal poster
- including the supplied bulletin notice and/or graphic
- promoting the appeal through your parish website and social media channels using the supplied social media graphic
- sharing the appeal video from the diocesan Facebook page
- downloading and testing the appeal video for use at Mass
- checking whether your parish has a guest speaker
- ensuring you have enough purple appeal envelopes and pens
- familiarising clergy or parish representatives with the speaker script
DURING the appeal
expand_moreAt each Mass:
- display the appeal poster
- place purple appeal envelopes and pens in the pews
- show the appeal video, where practical
- invite the allocated guest speaker, or use the supplied speaker script
- include the suggested general intercessory prayers
- invite parishioners to donate through the special collection or other giving options*
Guest Speakers
Seminarians and recently ordained priests will visit selected parishes to speak about their experience of formation and ministry.
In parishes where no guest speaker is allocated, a priest or parish representative is encouraged to introduce the appeal after the homily or before the Concluding Rite. Please refer to the speaker script resource for suggested words and key talking points.
* Using Donation Point Tap: DPT devices are linked to parish ABNs and CDF accounts, so appeal proceeds cannot be redirected automatically. If your parish uses a DPT device during the appeal weekend, CDF recommends that the parish transfer the relevant appeal proceeds manually through CDF Online to the Office of the Bishop Donations account, with the parish priest’s approval.
AFTER the appeal
expand_moreAfter your Appeal collection:
- follow the instructions provided to reconcile appeal donations, complete and return the parish collection summary form, and transfer parish funds to the Office of the Bishop.
- include the suggested wording that includes a thank-you notice in your parish bulletin
- continue promoting online donations
RESOURCES
Download the resources below to help your parish promote, support and administer the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.
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APPEAL POSTER
Display the Bishop’s Annual Appeal poster prominently in your church, foyer and parish office. Printed copies have already been sent to parishes with the appeal envelopes. A digital copy is available below if you need additional copies or wish to use it online.
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PARISH NEWSLETTER GRAPHIC
Use the supplied graphic in your parish newsletter or bulletin, alongside the suggested wording (below), to help promote the appeal and direct parishioners to further information and giving options.
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SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHIC
Ready-to-use campaign artwork and copy for your parish Facebook page and other social media channels.
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SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO
Help raise awareness by sharing the Bishop’s Annual Appeal video from the Diocese of Wollongong Facebook page to your parish page.
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APPEAL VIDEO
Hear from Fr Patrick Vaughan and seminarian Anthony Rewak about the people and ministries supported through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. We encourage parishes to play the video at each Mass during the appeal weekend.
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SPEAKER SCRIPT
A short guide to help clergy, guest speakers or parish representatives introduce the appeal clearly at Mass.
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EMAIL BANNER
Use the Bishop’s Annual Appeal banner in parish emails and other electronic communications during the campaign.
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QR CODE
Add the official giving QR code to parish bulletins, newsletters, posters and other communications to direct parishioners to the online donation page.
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PARISH COLLECTION SUMMARY
Complete this form after the appeal to record and reconcile parish donations before returning the required information to the Office of the Bishop.
INSTRUCTIONS
expand_more- Count and reconcile donations
Remove all cash and cheques from the appeal envelopes and confirm that the amount received matches the amount recorded on each envelope. Follow normal hygiene practices when handling cash. - Complete the Parish Collection Summary
Print and complete the parish collection summary form. Email a copy to [email protected]
and include a copy with the envelope stubs being returned to the Office of the Bishop. - Sort and return the completed envelope stubs
Arrange the completed envelope stubs into the three categories shown on the parish collection summary form:- credit card donations
- cheque donations
- cash donations where the cash has been removed and banked by the parish
Return all completed envelope stubs, together with the completed parish collection summary form, to Debbie Gates at the Office of the Bishop by Express Post or by scanning and emailing them.
- Allow for Donation Point Tap funds
If your parish used a Donation Point Tap device for the appeal, please wait until those funds have been received before completing the final transfer. - Bank and transfer parish funds
Once all appeal proceeds have been counted, reconciled and banked into the parish church account, transfer the total parish funds via CDF Online:BSB: 066 711
Account: 001868
Reference: BAA + parish name
Complete by Friday 2 October 2026
Please complete the parish collection summary form, return the required envelope stubs and transfer the parish funds by Friday 2 October 2026 so the diocesan total can be finalised and communicated promptly.
Thank your parish community
You may also wish to include the total amount raised in your parish newsletter or bulletin and thank your community for their generosity. Suggested wording is provided below for easy use.
NEWSLETTER NOTICES
expand_moreAhead of the Appeal
Bishop’s Annual Appeal 2026
The Bishop’s Annual Appeal will be promoted across the Diocese during September, with a special collection taking place in our parish on the weekend of 19/20 September.
This year’s Appeal supports the retirement and health of our clergy and the sound and holistic formation of our seminarians.
To find out more or make a tax-deductible donation, visit dow.org.au/giving or call (02) 4222 2400.
Appeal Weekend
(19/20 September or 26/27 September)
Bishop’s Annual Appeal 2026
The Bishop’s Annual Appeal special collection is taking place in our parish this weekend.
Your support helps provide for the retirement and health of our clergy and the sound and holistic formation of our seminarians.
Please consider making a tax-deductible gift today.
Donate: dow.org.au/giving
Phone: (02) 4222 2400
After the Appeal
Thank you for supporting the Bishop’s Annual Appeal
Thank you to everyone who generously supported the Bishop’s Annual Appeal last weekend.
Through the special collection and donations made online, our parish community has helped support the retirement and health of clergy and the sound and holistic formation of seminarians.
Our parish has contributed $### to the Appeal.
Tax-deductible donations are still being gratefully received at dow.org.au/giving or call (02) 4222 2400.
GENERAL INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
expand_moreParishes are welcome to use as many of the following as they consider appropriate.
- For our retired and sick clergy, that they may know the gratitude, care and prayerful support of the communities they have served so faithfully. We pray to the Lord.
- For our seminarians, that they may be strengthened in faith, wisdom and generosity as they continue to discern and prepare for priestly ministry. We pray to the Lord.
- For vocations to the priesthood, that more young men may hear and respond generously to God’s call to serve his people. We pray to the Lord.
- For all who support the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, that their generosity may help provide dignified care for our clergy and sound, holistic formation for our seminarians. We pray to the Lord.
THANK-YOU NOTICE
expand_moreBISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL 2026
Thank you to everyone in our parish who generously supported the Bishop’s Annual Appeal last weekend. Through the special collection, together with donations made online, our parish community has helped support the retirement and health of clergy and the sound and holistic formation of seminarians.
Our parish has contributed $### to the Appeal.
Tax-deductible donations are still being gratefully received at dow.org.au/giving or call (02) 4222 2400
“I am deeply grateful for the way our diocesan community continues to support both those who have served us faithfully and those preparing to serve in the years ahead. Thank you for your generosity and prayerful support.” – Bishop Brian Mascord
