Each year parishes throughout the diocese support the Black and Indian Mission Collection. Thanks to the generous donations of the faithful, the Diocese of Raleigh contributed $64,159.63 to support the Mission in 2021.
The Black and Indian Mission Collection, established as the first National Collection at the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore in 1884, has proven itself to be a very successful vehicle for the sharing of the resources of the Church's members to provide for the needs of our African American and Native American, and Native Alaskan brothers and sisters. The Black and Indian Mission Office uses the funds received through the Collection to provide grants that support evangelization and ministry programs in dioceses across the United States. Here in the Diocese of Raleigh, funds from the Mission Collection are used to support Catholic school tuition assistance for eligible students and for ministry work within African American and Native American communities.
The grace of the Holy Spirit and the charity of the people of God, enable the continuation of the work of evangelization and ministry in our Native American and African American communities,” Father Maurice Henry Sands, the collection’s director, wrote in a letter to the diocese. “Please continue to encourage your clergy, religious, and laity to strengthen our efforts through the offering of their daily prayers, financial offerings, and other forms of spiritual and material support."