Mission Cooperative Appeal Plan

Welcome to the Diocese of Raleigh’s Mission Cooperative Plan!

As part of the Diocese of Raleigh’s Missionary Cooperative Plan, we are blessed to participate in the Church’s global mission. Each year, this mission appeal reminds us that we are not isolated Catholics—we are part of a universal Church, called to share the Gospel and care for one another across continents and cultures.

Mission appeals are more than just a collection—they are a sacred opportunity to build real connections between our local parish and Catholic communities around the world. Through these appeals, we hear firsthand how the Gospel is being lived, preached, and sometimes even suffered for in places we may never visit—but to which we are deeply united in Christ.

Thank you for your openness, generosity, and prayers. May this time not only support the missions materially, but renew in us the call to be missionaries in our own lives.

FAQ

How does the Diocese of Raleigh Mission Cooperative Appeal Plan work?

The Diocese of Raleigh welcomes applications from missionary orders. The diocese accepts up to 25 parishes every year. Missionary orders with missionary presence in the diocese receive preference. Pastors and MCP coordinators of missionary orders are responsible for the details once the mission appeal visit has been assigned. Collections are split equally among all the invited presenters.

Who is eligible to apply?

  1. A recognized missionary order in good standing with the United States Society for the Propagation of the Faith serving in one or more countries
  2. Missionary orders working in the Diocese of Raleigh

All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Official Catholic Directory and provide a scan of their page
  • In the application, the mission requesting group should demonstrate the following commitments to Catholic teaching: a focus on community, a strong sacramental life, and a dedication to serving the spiritual and physical needs of those who on the margins.

Individual persons and parishes are unable to apply.

What happens if my mission group is selected to participate?

Read the Guidelines for Speakers and Application Agreement (below) for details. All sending groups selected to participate in the Mission Cooperative Appeal Plan will be notified by the end of February of the current year.

What happens if my mission group is not selected to participate?

Due to the number of applications and requests received each year, the Diocese of Raleigh accepts a limited number of missionaries every year. You may apply on or before August 31 for the next Mission Cooperative Appeal Plan year.

Timeline

  1. August 1- 31 - Application to the MCP DOR
    Applications are accepted from Arch/Diocese/Religious Orders throughout the month. An automatic acknowledgment will be sent after you submit your application.
  2. December - Review and Approval of Applications
    MCP Coordinator will present the applications before the Deans, which serves as the body that reviews and accepts all applications.
  3. January 
    1. Notification of Invitation to the MCP
      MCP DOR sends out notifications only to accepted Missionary Orders.
    2. Notification to Parishes assigned for MCP
      MCP DOR notifies the parishes assigned for the summer MCP.
  4. Before the end of February - Acceptance of MCP Participation
    Acceptance letters from Missionary Orders must be received on or before February 28.
  5. April - Letter of Suitability
    Missionary Orders send the Letter of Suitability to the Office of the Vicar General at officeofthevicargeneral@raldioc.org. The Office of the Vicar General sends a copy of the faculty to exercise ministry for the duration of MCP presentation.
  6. June – September - MCP Mission Appeal
    MCP Presentations are preferably done during the summer.  
  7. November - Distribution of Funds
    Distribution of Collections (equally shared by all participants).

Guidelines for Arch/Diocese/Religious Orders

Thank you for your interest in applying to the Missionary Cooperation Plan (MCP) in the Diocese of Raleigh (DOR). We consider our speakers to be partners in our efforts to animate Catholics of the diocese about the mission endeavors of our universal Church.

General Guidelines

  1. All requests must be made through the MCP Application Form (link below). Applications that are incomplete will not be accepted. Missionary orders working in the diocese are given priority.
  2. Submission of an application does NOT guarantee acceptance in the MCP. Due to the high response volume of this program, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of each application. Only the organizations that have been selected for the program will receive an email invitation by the end of January for that year's MCP appeal season.
  3. If you have not received a letter of invitation by January 31 of the year for which you are applying, please feel free to apply again for the following year.
  4. You must provide the name of a designated contact person available in the United States, including address, telephone, and email of U.S. mission representative.
  5. If you are accepted into MCP in the Diocese of Raleigh, a Letter of Suitability from a provincial superior must be sent for every individual assigned to speak in the diocese sent to the Office of the Vicar General. The Office of the Vicar General grants the faculty to excercise ministry for the duration of MCP participation in the Diocese of Raleigh.
  6. Resident, non-diocesan priests who currently have faculties in the Diocese of Raleigh are exempt from this requirement.
  7. Appeal funds are disbursed payable to the missionary order, never to an individual person. If your missionary order does not have a bank in the U.S. that will be the repository for the MCP funds, please do not apply to the MCP.
  8. All participating missionary orders will share equally from all the collected MCP collections throughout the diocese.
  9. We require that all groups provide their own transportation and accommodation. It must be emphasized that it is not the responsibility of the parish to provide housing or transportation during the time of the appeal.
  10. Your mission organization must follow these guidelines. If you are not able to fulfill all the requirements, please do not apply to the Diocese of Raleigh Missionary Cooperative Appeal Plan.
  11. Collection envelopes may be sent in advance to the parish assigned to the missionary order. The speaker of MCP cannot and not distribute personal envelopes.

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION