The 2024 Together We Serve annual appeal surpassed its $1,536,510 goal, raising $1,668,033 and distributing almost $1.5 million to Catholic organizations in the Archdiocese, Canada and abroad.
The strong result was largely due to an anonymous one-time donation of $100,000 received in December. Parishes also raised $62,000 more in 2024 than in the previous year – a four-per-cent increase – and the Archbishop’s Dinner contributed another $15,000.
Through your support of the Together We Serve appeal, we in turn support institutions and organizations committed to the Archdiocese of Edmonton Pastoral Priorities of Worship, Witness and Service.
Together we support the formation of new priests through St. Joseph Seminary, form teachers and lay leaders to share the Gospel in our schools and parishes, and serve the vulnerable in our community through Catholic Social Services and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
The 2024 campaign distributed $1,481,340 to 12 beneficiary organizations, after administration costs of 5.5 per cent and rebates returned to parishes that exceeded their targets. Catholic Social Services-Sign of Hope and St. Vincent de Paul-Edmonton Central Council were selected by Archbishop Smith as Archdiocesan Priorities, with each receiving an additional $30,783. The Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) also received a one-time donation of $12,500 from the Archdiocesan Priorities allocation.
Forty-one out of 81 parishes achieved or exceeded their targets. Another 23 parishes reached between 80-99% of their targets. Top Achievers by parish size were recognized for achieving the highest percentage of their target and the most dollars raised.
The 2025 Together We Serve campaign is currently underway. Its goal will be announced in early April, after parish targets have been confirmed. The collection on Good Friday, April 18, is designated for Together We Serve, with emphasis on the Needs of the Church in the Holy Land, a Together We Serve beneficiary.
Together We Serve is an annual appeal in the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton. It was launched in 2014 to simplify giving by combining recurring special collections in parishes and inviting Catholics to work together to serve those in need at home, in Canada, and abroad. Together We Serve shows both Catholics and those around us that we are all one Church, acting together to advance the Mission given to us by Jesus Christ.
Allocation to Beneficiaries
| Catholic Social Services-Sign of Hope | 20.0% | $296,268 |
| St. Joseph Seminary | 13.0% | $192,574 |
| Newman Theological College | 10.0% | $148,134 |
| St. Joseph’s College | 10.0% | $148,134 |
| Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith | 8.0% | $118,507 |
| Needs of Canadian Church | 8.0% | $118,507 |
| Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Edmonton Central Council | 6.0% | $88,880 |
| Evangelization of Nations | 5.0% | $74,067 |
| Holy Land | 5.0% | $74,067 |
| Papal Charities | 5.0% | $74,067 |
| Archdiocesan Priorities | 5.0% | $74,066 |
| St. Joseph Priests’ Foundation | 5.0% | $74,067 |
Parish Awards
| Top Achievers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mini & Mission <100 families | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest Percentage | St. Francis of Assisi, Tofield – 184% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Most Dollars Raised | St. Margaret, Rimbey – $7,717 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Small 100-499 families | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest Percentage | Queen of Martyrs, Edmonton – 183% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Most Dollars Raised | Mary Help of Christians, Edmonton – $26,852 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size 500-1,999 families | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest Percentage | St. Andrew, Edmonton – 159% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Most Dollars Raised | St. Theresa, Edmonton – $73,684 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large 2,000+ families (n=10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest Percentage | Holy Family, St. Albert – 145% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Most Dollars Raised | St. Thomas More – $151,859 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Honourable Mentions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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