Bishop Alberto Rojas has released the 2025 Diocesan Development Fund’s (DDF) Annual Appeal’s monetary goal, beneficiary ministries and its theme.
This year’s theme is “... HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us”(Romans 5:5). The 2025 DDF theme echoes Pope Francis’ theme for the 2025 Jubilee year, “Pilgrims of Hope.” Bishop Rojas describes this connection in his DDF introduction video, which was released in January.
“It is a time to thank our God for His many blessings,” Bishop Rojas says. “It is a time to make our journey in pilgrimage back to God and to our faith. He is waiting for us with open arms, indeed. Hope is not something that is only for us to receive, our faith calls us to do all we can to bring hope to those in need.”
Bishop Rojas has chosen several ministries that the DDF Annual Appeal will help fund this year. The chosen ministries bring hope to the faithful in many different ways and do “good work of spreading hope throughout our local church [which] would not be possible without your faithful support of the DDF,” Bishop Rojas said. The 13 chosen ministries are:
• Seminarian Education Fund: 25%
• Hospital Chaplains: 15%
• Catholic Charities: 13%
• Ministry Formation Institute: 14%
• Office of Ministry with Young Catholics: 9%
• Office of Catechetical Ministry: 4%
• Office of Life, Dignity & Justice: 6%
• Campus Ministry: 3%
• Office of Marriage and Family Life: 2%
• Office of Vocations: 3%
• Office of Social Concerns: 2%
• Office for Deacon: 2%
• Office of Child and Youth Protection: 2%
Compared to 2024’s DDF Annual Appeal, Bishop Rojas has chosen two new ministries that were not included in the previous year. The first ministry is the Diocesan Office of Deacons, with 2% of the DDF going towards it and the second ministry is the Diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection, also with 2% of the DDF being allocated towards it.
Additionally, compared to the previous DDF, Bishop Rojas has increased the amount distributed to several ministries including, Catholic Charities, which has increased from 12% to 13%, the Ministry Formation Institute (MFI), which has increased from 10% to 14%, and The Department of Life, Dignity and Justice, which has increased from 4% to 6%.
Bishop Rojas discussed the importance of Catholic Charities and the impact it has had on providing hope in the Diocese with the help of the DDF Annual Appeal.
“Catholic Charities is one of our most important ministries in serving individuals and families that face challenging life circumstances by offering practical assistance along with companionship and encouragement. Catholic Charities collectively fosters a community where hope flourishes. Last year, we were able to provide assistance to more than 16,000 individuals. When you give to the DDF you’re not just making a donation, you’re giving the gift of hope, standing with us in our mission to uplift our community.”