The Catholic Archdiocesan Annual Appeal is our major fundraiser in the Archdiocese of Nassau.  Each year parishes are encouraged to invite their members to participate in practicing this stewardship, while becoming involved in a greater responsibility of  the local church here in The Bahamas.  Along with funding various programs in the archdiocese and the community, the CAAA is also designed to assist the parishes in their fundraising efforts for their specific needs.  Last year (2023-2024) the operating expenses of the Archdiocese of Nassau was approximately $848,211.

How does the Catholic Archdiocesan Annual Appeal benefit our parishes and our community?   

Benefits to your parish

Parish Sharing Formula

The Catholic Archdiocesan Annual Appeal serves as a source of major funding for our parishes  via the Parish Sharing Formula. This formula awards parishes funding in the following fashion. Once parishes achieve their stated goal amount,  by August 31, 2025 they receive 40% of all funds raised in cash over their goal.  Any funds over the goal up to September 30, 2025 they receive 20%.

Benefits to the community

Disaster Relief Fund

Since 2006 this fund has enabled us in helping to assist our Bahamian community in the immediate aftermath of hurricanes or disasters.  We spent $175,746 up to August 31, 2024 and $423,093 in 2023.

Archdiocesan Humanitarian Relief Fund

This fund helps individuals and families in urgent need. This fund is parish based.  The Archdiocese provides grants to the parishes for their humnaitarian ministries and efforts.

Other ways that your Catholic Archdiocesan Annual Appeal contribution is used 

Archdiocesan Pastoral Programs

The Pastoral Programs for the spiritual care and guidance of the faithful and the wider community are as follows

• Samaritan Ministry
• Family Life Office – Marriage Preparation, Marriage Encounter, and special counseling for families who suffer violence and abuse.
• Youth and Young Adult Ministry
• Religious Education
• Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) and
• Lay Leadership and Adult Education.

Family Island Parish Assistance

The Archdiocese subsidizes the operational expenses of most Family Island Parishes.  This cost includes  building repairs and the purchase and maintenance of vehicles. In  the last five years we spent $1,790,117.  
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Benedictine Sisters' Retirement Fund

The Archdiocese continues its commitment to the retirement fund of the Benedictine Sisters at St. Martin’s Monastery.  The annual contribution is $25,000.
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Seminarians, Deacons, and Clergy Formation

At present there is one man in  formation for the priesthood.  Each month our priests and deacons attend Pastoral Days.  There is also an annual retreat for their ongoing spiritual formation.  Our cost in 2024 was $21,998.
 

Communications

This assists in expanding our ability to reach the  community through various media platforms such as:  the Bahama Catholic, our radio programs (including Crossroads), our digital platforms (including  the  website and other social media pages), along with the maintenance  of our Communications Studio.  Last year’s cost was $61,236.          
             

E.W.T.N. (Eternal Word Television Network)

Eternal Word Television Network (E.W.T.N) is a Catholic Channel (Cable Channel 657). It is very popular with both Catholic and non-Catholics alike. 
 

Education Endowment Fund

Catholic Schools have been serving the education needs of the Bahamian community for over 135 years.  In order to continue to meet this vital need for the social development of our community, this fund seeks to provide a solid financial foundation for our Catholic Schools as we move into the future. 
 
 
 FAMILY ISLAND PARISH ASSISTANCE

The Archdiocese subsidizes the operational expenses of most Family Island Parishes.  This cost included building repairs and the purchase and maintenance of vehicles. In 2024 our assistance was $430,059 and in the last five years we spent $ 1,790,117.
 

Archdiocesan Insurance Fund

Since 1991, due to the escalating cost of Property Insurance, catastrophic coverage on all our properties became unaffordable.  At that time the Archdiocese of Nassau established an Insurance Fund while continuing to purchase catastrophic coverage on selected properties as well as fire coverage and other perals on all properties. The cost to insure all of the Archdiocesan properties the last fiscal year was  $748,101.

This year’s Goal is $600,000.00. 

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP.

You may be willing to make your entire gift at one time.  We also offer the option to give in the form of a pledge and spreading  your payments.  We invite you to make the first of four monthly payments when making your pledge. When you pledge, a reminder of your balance will be sent to you. We appreciate any gift that is proportionate to your budget.  The Appeal ends on August 31st each year.

With your help we will be able to fully address our archdiocesan needs. Donations are not subject to VAT.

MAKING A PAYMENT.

Pay Methods:

Checks: Bahamian or US Dollar check drawn on local  banks should be made payable to "Catholic Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. " Checks drawn on banks in the United States should be made payable to "Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nassau Foundation Inc." Tax ID# is 11-379-8061.

Online Payments - RBC customers can use the "Pay Bills" or  "Send to RBC Client" features. The payee is  "Roman Catholic Archbishop of Nassau, Bahamas. Non RBC Customers may also make online transfers to RBC from their local banks.

For all online payments, donors are asked to forward a copy of their payment receipt to: [email protected]  or  [email protected], also to your parish, then notify Mrs. M. Michelle Mitchell-Lloyd at 322-7711 of the transaction so your contribution can be recored and acknowledged.


Wire Transfer from outside the Bahamas -  Contact Ms. Shanta Colebrooke at email: [email protected] for transfer instructions.

Credit and Debit Card payments:  can be made at the CAAA Office.

CAAA 2025

Disaster Relief Fund $60,000  (12%)

Archdiocesan Humanitarian Relief $20,000  (4%)

Communications   $25,000 (5%)

Seminarian, Deacon & Clergy $50,000 (10%)

Education Endowment Fund $25,000 (5%)

Family Island Parish Assistance $149,000  (29.8%)

Archdiocesan Pastoral Programs  $65,000 (13%)

Archdiocesan Insurance Fund  $75,000  (15%)

Benedictine Sisters’ Retirement  $20,000  (4%)