Mission Office

Mission takes everyone!
Consider making a donation to mission today!

Why should I donate to the Mission Office?
Throughout the years the Mission Office has been able to contribute to the pastoral and development needs of some of the most vulnerable areas of our world and global Church. Yet none of this would have been possible without the donations of the generous people of our diocese. With your help we've been able to help relocate Catholic Relief Services offices in war-torn Sudan; assist those suffering the devastation of the Tsunami; offer funds for the rebuilding of a seminary that burnt down in Papua, Indonesia; give Mass stipends to priests and bishops who receive no other income; and support the MANY ministries of our many missioners in Asia, Latin America and Africa. But still there is always more to be done! And without YOUR donations, we cannot donate to our many global connection.

What can I donate to?
If you're planning on making a donation, consider making an undesignated donation. These are always needed for the emergent needs of our mission connections that come up and the on-going ministry of our office. Or you can donate directly to:

• One of our Diocesan Partnerships with Homa Bay, Kenya or Maracay, Venezuela
• One of our many other diocesan relationships
• A particular missionary from our diocese
• A particular mission organization
• A particular project we've promoted (or you'd like us to consider supporting)
• For Mass stipends
• Or include the Mission Office in your will

Where do my donations go?
General donations to the Mission Office help pay the cost of sustaining our mission work here in the St. Cloud Diocese and abroad. Make a general donation to support our diocesan "Mission Connections" newsletter, our diocesan mission education efforts in area schools and parishes, overseas missioners from our diocese (for their general support) and foreign missioners serving here in our diocese, as well as special needs that come up. Your gifts help us address the growing needs of mission in our diocese and abroad.

You may also specify if you intend for your donation to go towards a specific missioner, group, organization, partnership, relationship, or project that you've heard about through our office. Please clearly mark the designation of any designated funds sent.

As per direction of the Mission Office Board of Directors, 1.5% of all pass-through donations are retained to cover administrative costs.

What donations do you accept?
We accept financial donations in any amount. We can take cash, check or money orders for your donations, as well as estates. Unfortunately we cannot take donations via credit cards.

Do you accept Mass Stipends?
Yes, you may make a donation to have a Mass/Masses said for a loved one or special intention. Typical Mass donations are $5.00 each. Mass intentions are sent to priests in foreign dioceses where we have mission connections. Many of these priests receive no other income, and therefore Mass intentions are a wonderful gift to our global church, as well as a wonderful way of being in solidarity through prayer all around the world!

Please do note, however, that although we encourage our mission priests to say these Masses in a timely manner, we cannot guarantee that any Masses will be said on or within certain dates.

How do I Donate?
Once you identify whether you would like to make a general donate to our mission outreach, to a specific partnership (Maracay, Venezuela Partnership or Homa Bay, Kenya Partnership), specific relationship (Zanzibar, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Sudan, Brazil, El Salvador, Congo, Diocese of Agates, Tanzania, etc.), to the Pontifical Mission Societies (Society for the Propagation of the Fatih, Holy Childhood, or St. Peter the Apostle), to a mission organization, to a missioner, to CRS, towards Mass intentions, or a to a designated project, then send or hand deliver a check or money order made out to the St. Cloud Mission Office. Please be sure your donation is clearly marked as to what it is intended for.

Please include your telephone number and mailing address so that we can contact you about your donation if necessary, as well as get you a receipt for your tax-deductable gift. Again, please specify where you would like to donate, or if your gift is to go towards the place of greatest need at the time. In the event that you do not specify where you would like your donation to be directed, the Mission Office will direct it.

How do you distribute the funds that you receive?
Funds are distributed through checks in the United States; often through bank-to-bank wire tarnsfers abroad.

What are the Mission Office's Hours of Operation?
The Office is open to the public Monday thru Thursday, 9:00am- 4:00pm. However, due to limited staff and a busy outreach schedule the door cannot always be left unlocked, even during these hours. Please call ahead if you are able to make sure someone will be here to welcome you.

The Mission Office is located at 11 Eighth Avenue South in Downtown St. Cloud. Driving directions and maps are available.

Can we still donate items to the Mission Shop?
The Mission Shop was closed on September 1st, 2006. We no longer accept donations of used items.

We still sell new Fair Trade and artisan items out of the office. Parish or Mission Group donations such as new quilts, baby quilts, dishtowels, layettes (with new items), school supplies, dental hygiene bags, and World Mission Rosaries are welcome. These donations will be sent to our mission partners abroad, local service agencies and sold through the office to raise further funds to support global mission.

Thank you to everyone who has given so generously of time and goods to the Mission Shop over the many years of its ministry!!