The History of the Appeal

1959 – Opus Santi Petri

This was an annual campaign conducted by volunteers who would go house to house and ask for donations to support the seminaries – buildings and operations.

1969 – Archbishop’s Annual Catholic Appeal created under Archbishop Leo Byrne

This annual campaign was established to benefit education, urban affairs (charitable organizations, inner-city parishes), retired priests, youth, aged, and seminarians.

2009 – Name changes to the Catholic Services Appeal under Archbishop John Nienstedt

The name of the Appeal was changed to reflect the fact that funds raised in the Appeal are used for the collective ministries of the Archdiocese that no one parish or person can fund on their own.   All gifts received are solicited specifically for these Designated Ministries.

2013 – Catholic Services Appeal Foundation is created

The Catholic Services Appeal Foundation was created in 2013 and ensures that all funds received are used for the purposes for which the gifts are solicited.

In April of 2015, the Catholic Services Appeal Foundation moved its offices to Plymouth, MN.

In September 2021, the Catholic Services Appeal Foundation Board of Directors hired the first Foundation President.

As of November 2021, the CSAF has four employees and seven volunteer board members.

Many of the Designated Ministries are set forth in the Articles and Bylaws and remain the same year-to-year. Major recipients of the Appeal include Catholic Grade Schools and High Schools within the Archdiocese (including individual student scholarships), Archdiocesan seminarian tuition, room, and board, Catholic Charities, Catholic Hospital Chaplains, and Latino Ministries. There are several Designated Ministries, with Abria Pregnancy Resources, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Twin Cities the most recent additions in 2019.