Catholic Relief Services Collection Aids Vulnerable Worldwide

Annual collection supports international relief efforts and domestic immigration services.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The U.S. bishops' annual Catholic Relief Services Collection will be held on March 14-15 across many dioceses. The collection benefits six agencies affiliated with the Catholic Church, including Catholic Relief Services, that provide aid to the poor and vulnerable both in the U.S. and internationally through disaster relief, development programs, immigration legal services, and advocacy.

Why it matters

The Catholic Relief Services Collection is a key way for Catholics in the U.S. to support the Church's global humanitarian work and outreach to immigrants and refugees. It reflects the Church's mission to serve the marginalized and spread Christ's love to all.

The details

Funds from the collection are distributed to six Catholic organizations, with the largest share - nearly $8 million in 2024 - going to Catholic Relief Services for international relief and development efforts. Other recipients include the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, the USCCB's Secretariat of Migration, the USCCB's Secretariat of Cultural Diversity, the USCCB's Secretariat of Justice and Peace, and the Holy Father's Relief Fund.

  • The Catholic Relief Services Collection will be held on the weekend of March 14-15, 2026.
  • In 2024, nearly $13.5 million was distributed from the collection.

The players

Catholic Relief Services

The U.S. bishops' flagship international relief and development agency.

Bishop Daniel H. Mueggenborg

Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on National Collections.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Church in the United States was built on ministry among immigrants. We help all who are marginalized, including victims of war and disaster overseas. The Catholic Relief Services Collection combines all these kinds of assistance.”

— Bishop Daniel H. Mueggenborg, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on National Collections (usccb.org)

“Our Lord tells us to love our neighbors – those we know, those we don't and those we think are very different from us. The Catholic Relief Services Collection is one way that we show that love. Today it is more vital than ever.”

— Bishop Daniel H. Mueggenborg, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on National Collections (usccb.org)

What’s next

The Catholic Relief Services Collection will be held on the weekend of March 14-15, 2026 in many dioceses across the United States.

The takeaway

The Catholic Relief Services Collection is a vital way for Catholics in the U.S. to support the Church's global humanitarian work and outreach to immigrants and refugees, reflecting the mission to serve the marginalized and spread Christ's love to all.