The Bishop's Annual Lenten Appeal is a Diocesan fund raising program created in 1974 to provide assistance for the many services provided to and for the members of the Diocese of Harrisburg.



Lenten Appeal funds are allocated among the Department of Education, Campus Ministry, aid for high schools, Catholic Charities, and assistance to any needy parishes and missions, to name a few.



The Diocese assesses the goal for each parish and asks for a pledge or contribution from each family in the parish. The Pastor appoints a chairperson who conducts the appeal in the parish. The Parish can reduce or eliminate the Diocesan assessment by meeting the Parish appeal goal. Otherwise, the assessments come from general Parish operating funds. If our Parish exceeds our Lenten Appeal goal, 100% of the overage is returned to our Parish free of any future assessment. The Lenten Appeal begins the second week of Lent.