“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” — 1 Peter 4:10

Christian stewardship begins with a simple truth: God’s gifts are meant to be shared. Every talent, vocation, prayer, act of service, and financial gift becomes fruitful when offered for the good of others. The Diocesan Annual Appeal offers our diocesan family a practical way to unite those gifts so ministries serving parishes across the Diocese can flourish.

This spirit has shaped the Diocese of La Crosse from the beginning. Founded in 1868 as a mission territory, the young diocese was served by only eighteen priests for roughly 30,000 Catholics. Support from Catholics in Europe and mission societies helped complete the first cathedral. From the start, local faith and gifts from beyond any one community have come together for one mission. Today, across nineteen counties in western and central Wisconsin, that same spirit of shared stewardship remains essential.

“Many Gifts, One Mission” is more than a slogan. It captures who we are as the Body of Christ. A seminarian’s vocation, a catechist’s witness, a teacher’s skill, a volunteer’s compassion, a family’s prayer, a professional’s talent, and a donor’s sacrificial gift are all expressions of God’s manifold grace. Through the Appeal, Bishop Battersby and diocesan ministries coordinate these gifts to support his call to pivot from maintenance to mission: from preserving activity to forming disciples, accompanying people, strengthening communion, and serving with apostolic purpose.

• From isolated talents to shared charisms: Parishes and diocesan offices identify, call forth, and coordinate the gifts Christ has entrusted to His people.
• From programs to people: Resources are directed toward encounter, conversion, discipleship, accompaniment, communion, and mission.
• From scarcity to faithful abundance: The Appeal trusts that God provides the Church with what it needs through the diverse generosity of the whole Body.
• From upkeep to apostolic purpose: Sound administration, safe environments, strong formation, and well-maintained facilities become foundations for worship, service, invitation, and evangelization.