Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R, Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, has announced an unprecedented fundraising initiative specifically aimed at supporting the continued outreach of the Archdiocesan parishes during the coronavirus pandemic.
The effort, coordinated with GoFundMe, a global online fundraising platform, will enable parishioners to provide direct support to local churches throughout this challenging time. A dedicated website, at www.rcan.org/parishsupport, has been established for this program.
Catholic parishes rely on weekly contributions from parishioners, known as the offertory collection, to support the work of each parish, including staff wages and daily operations. While some churchgoers send contributions by mail, many prefer to place donations in collection baskets during worship services. The temporary suspension of public Masses has restricted the ability of parishes to collect contributions and provide outreach services.
Cardinal Tobin emphasized that all donors can designate their tax-deductible contributions specifically for the benefit of their individual parish, and that all monies raised will be sent directly to those churches for which they are earmarked. Masses are also being conducted over the internet via livestream and can be accessed on the Archdiocesan parish support website: www.rcan.org/parishsupport.
