Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez has announced the launch of the 2025 Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) with a fundraising target set at $10 million. The announcement was made during a news conference held at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, marking CCA as the largest annual fundraising effort by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Ernest W. Russom III, President of the CCA Board of Directors, and representatives from beneficiary organizations joined Archbishop Pérez for this event. This year's theme is "Giving Hope to All," reflecting the appeal's mission to support nearly one million people annually through various charitable service organizations and ministries across the five-county Archdiocese.

Archbishop Pérez emphasized the importance of the appeal, stating, "One in five people in the Greater Philadelphia area rely on the charitable works funded by the Catholic Charities Appeal. That figure represents hundreds of thousands of human beings who deserve dignity, respect, and compassion from all of us." He added that supporting CCA means responding to community needs with action and fulfilling their call as Missionary Disciples.

Testimonies were shared by Katherine Baumgardner, Assistant Director for Catholic Housing and Community Services (CHCS), and Natalie Morales, Director of the Archdiocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities and the Deaf Apostolate. They highlighted CCA's critical impact on their services.

The event also featured performances by Star Harbor Senior Community Center’s choir and Norris Square Senior Community Center’s Grupo Alegria dance club. Both centers are operated by CHCS under Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese.

For those unable to attend in person, today’s announcement was streamed on Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook page. An archived version can be accessed online.

CCA supports numerous organizations grouped into five ministry areas: Special Education; Social Services; Evangelization; Mission Parishes; and Infirmed and Retired Priests.