Each year, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) reaches out to people across the globe affected by war, natural disasters, persecution, or poverty. This mission is supported through contributions to The Catholic Relief Services Collection. In 2025, many dioceses are scheduled to gather this collection during Masses on March 29-30.

The funds collected benefit six Church-related entities that provide aid in line with Christ’s mandate in Matthew’s Gospel to care for the “least of these.”

“This year, The Catholic Relief Services Collection has a very urgent significance,” stated Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on National Collections. He highlighted recent challenges: “Recently, the U.S. government abruptly suspended funding for its refugee resettlement program and then terminated cooperative agreements for such work, impacting thousands of refugees that the government has placed in the charge of the USCCB for resettlement assistance. And with similarly abrupt stop-work orders on foreign humanitarian relief work, aid organizations such as Catholic Relief Services are unable to sustain their work overseas, bringing food, life-saving medicine, and daily necessities to people in need.”

Federal funding has been crucial for organizations like the USCCB and CRS to carry out their missions. However, each year the Conference spends more on supporting refugees than it receives from federal grants. Due to the funding suspension, USCCB and its local partners have begun laying off employees and have seen damage to partnerships and future capabilities in providing refugee assistance. Donations from this year's collection will be essential for continuing Catholic initiatives aimed at helping those in need.