Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory has announced some changes for the 2011 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, to simplify the process and synchronize the Appeal with the calendar year.

Typically, the Annual Appeal begins in the fall and continues through the next year, lasting for more than 12 months and overlapping with the subsequent year’s campaign. Under this new system, the 2011 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal will begin in January of 2011 and continue to the end of the calendar year.

Each year donations raised through the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal support some of the wider ministries of the Catholic Church in north and central Georgia, including vocations, Respect Life ministry, priests’ retirement and support, formation and discipleship, black Catholic ministry, Hispanic ministry, and more.

In a letter sent to donors, Steve Siler, executive director of the archdiocesan Office of Stewardship, said that a study of the Annual Appeal process revealed that sometimes confusion occurred because the Annual Appeal materials did not correspond with the calendar year. In addition, some parishes were concerned that “beginning the Appeal in November conflicted with their fall stewardship efforts.”

The 2011 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal will kick off with letters sent in mid-January and parish efforts occupying the three weekends before Lent.

Siler said, “On behalf of Archbishop Gregory and the ministries that receive funds from the Appeal, I thank you for your past and future support. I know that the many thousands of people that are served by these ministries are grateful for the services provided by your gift and the gifts of all who contribute to the Appeal.”