Opportunities to Give

The Diocese of Brownsville is a not-for-profit church agency registered with the Internal Revenue Service. A blanket ruling issued by this federal agency established the 501(c)(3) status of the Catholic Church in the United States, covering dioceses, parishes, schools and institutions affiliated with the work and mission of the Church. Therefore, charitable contributions to the Diocese of Brownsville may be listed on your annual income tax return for a tax credit. Ask your financial advisor to help you determine how to fund the work of the Catholic Church while ensuring the maximum benefit of tax breaks allowed by law.

Once you decide on a course of action that is most agreeable to you, all you have to do is match a need of the Diocese of Brownsville with your personal interests and ability to give. Donations are accepted in many forms, and these include, but are not limited to: cash, stocks, bonds, property, real estate, wills, bequests, endowments and burses. Cash donations are accepted at any time. A receipt that may be used for income tax filing is given to the donor at the time the donation is made. Transfers of stocks, bonds and other investments must be reviewed by the legal counsel of the Diocese of Brownsville before they are accepted. This preliminary review serves a dual purpose. First, it ensures that the intent of the donor is respected and carried out. Second, it ensures that the mission of the Diocese is not compromised as in the case of a donation that may bear a conflict of interest.

Another option for giving is the establishment of a memorial endowment or a burse. Donors may give a donation in honor of a loved one, living or deceased, and only the interest income of that donation will be used to further the donor’s stated intention. The education of seminarians, tuition assistance for underprivileged youth, or direct assistance to the poor are but some of the many ways that your donation can help the Church in the Rio Grande Valley. Please call on the Development Office of the Diocese of Brownsville for assistance when contemplating a charitable donation. The number is (956)550-1548.

	Saint Joseph and Saint Peter Seminary, Mission This junior college seminary operates in conjunction with the Pontifical University Josephinum of Columbus, Ohio. The Church in the Rio Grande Valley has an urgent need for more priests and consecrated religious to minister to the rapidly growing Catholic population. This local seminary begins the process of formation and education at the college level for young men called to serve in priesthood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
	Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Church, Pharr This new church serves the Las Milpas colonia and its environs south of Pharr. The sanctuary was built after many years of fundraising by the community, and the assistance of private Catholic foundations. A new parking lot for the church and a multipurpose hall are desperately needed to round out the physical plant of this growing parish.
	San Juan Diego Church, McAllen This is the latest parish to be erected in the Diocese of Brownsville. A small chapel, formerly a mission of Saint Joseph the Worker parish, presently serves as the community’s worship site. Because this is an extremely poor area of the Diocese, some funding from Catholic foundations allowed for the construction of a rectory to house the first permanent pastor. Your donation will bring this parish one step closer to realizing its dream of a permanent church.
	Our Lady of Guadalupe Regional Middle School, Brownsville This tuition free middle school for boys and girls is affiliated with the Blessed Edmund Rice Christian Brothers, the Marist Brothers of the Schools and the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. A private school in the Catholic tradition, Guadalupe Regional Middle School serves as a feeder school for Saint Joseph Academy High School.
	Monastery of Capuchin Poor Clares This cloistered Order of nuns will be housed in a new monastery to be built in Alamo. Old Saint Joseph’s Church will be renovated to serve as the Sisters’ perpetual adoration chapel where the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for the private and public devotion of the Poor Clares and the faithful of the Diocese.
	Catholic Social Services This charitable arm of the Diocese of Brownsville provides professional counseling, Immigration and direct services to families and individuals in need. Catholic Social Services accepts donations that are shared with the poor. We have accepted travel trailers, vehicles, clothing, food, furniture, gifts (to be shared at Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays). If the item is in useable condition, we will be willing to share with those who can use it.
	Ozanam Center for the Homeless This shelter is the largest of its kind in south Texas. It serves families and individuals in need of housing, meals and social services.

CURRENT PROJECTS:

, Development Office Director
1910 University Blvd. • Brownsville, TX 78520 • Phone 956-550-1548 • Fax 956-542-6751

last updated 19-Sep-2008 13:30 sitemap