By Peter L. McNamee, Director
Diocesan Financial Services

The figures in this article pertain to fiscal year 2010 only.

Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA)

Formerly Diocesan Offertory Program (DOP)

This supplement includes a recap of the Diocese of Helena Annual Catholic Appeal funds collected. Some of the programs also receive funds from other sources, such as users’ fees.

Extension Society Grants

The Catholic Church Extension Society of Chicago allocation and carryover for the Diocese of Helena was a total of $244,909.

National Indian Commission Grant

The Commission for the Catholic Missions Among the Indians allocation and carryover for the Diocese of Helena was a total of $111,434.

Committee on the Home Missions

The Committee on the Home Missions (CHM) allocation was $81,588.

Deposit and Loan Fund

In the Deposit and Loan Fund, several parishes increased their reserve deposits in anticipation of future building projects, and to have savings to cover unforeseen maintenance and repair expenses. Other parishes withdrew funds for capital expenditures.

Annuity Funds

Donors receive income for life at a set rate, and the diocese, foundation, parish or other named beneficiary receives the remainder of the gift upon the donor’s death or when the donor releases the annuity obligation.

Roman Catholic Bishop Endowments

Several donors have added to the permanent endowments of the diocese through estate planning gifts. These endowment gifts provide perpetual income for many diocesan programs. Donors are encouraged to also donate to the endowments of the Foundation for the Diocese of Helena Inc.

National Collections

This report also contains a recap of contributions by people of the diocese to national collections.

  Click here to view a larger version of the expense and income charts.

The World Mission Sunday collection benefits a number of overseas Catholic mission programs including the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. A small amount is retained by the diocese to give support to specific missions in various parts of the world that have requested funds directly from the bishop.

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is an education-action program created in 1969 by the U.S. bishops to support self-help programs among the poor in the United States. Seventy-five percent (75%) of this collection goes directly to the national fund – several projects in Montana were partially funded by the national office. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the collection remains in the diocese to be used for local needs identified by a diocesan Catholic Campaign for Human Development committee and approved by the bishop.

The collection for Catholic Relief Services is best known for its response to natural disasters, aid to refugees, commitment to reconstruction and rehabilitation of people throughout the world. A portion of our collection was given as Aid to the Church in Eastern Europe. Special collections in our diocese provide assistance to named disasters around the world.

Another source of funds for CRS is Operation Rice Bowl. Twenty-five percent of this collection stays in the diocese to aid needy people. In addition, special collections were received as noted.

The Peter’s Pence collection enables the Holy Father to respond with emergency financial assistance to requests to aid the most needy throughout the world – those who suffer as a result of war, oppression and natural disasters. It likewise provides the faithful with a tangible opportunity not only to empower the weak, defenseless and voiceless, but also to sustain those who suffer.

The Catholic Home Missions collection was launched in 1998. This appeal funds a wide range of pastoral services, including evangelization, religious education, the maintenance of mission parishes, the training of seminarians and lay ministers, and ministry with ethnic groups.

The Black and Indian Missions collection started in 1884. The funds are distributed throughout the United States, supporting and strengthening evangelization programs among the Black and Indian peoples.

The National Religious Retirement collection assists religious orders to meet the needs of their retired members who served and received minimal compensation.


A complete copy of the financial statement audit conducted by Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., P.C., is on file in the diocesan Financial Services office. Any comments or questions can be directed to that office.


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 27, No. 2, February 18, 2011.