Inspired by the Gospel, the mission of the US-China Catholic Association is to build bridges of friendship and dialogue between the people of China and the United States by offering educational, service, and cultural programs in support of the Church and the larger society.
November 2024
Friends in Christ.
The US-China Catholic Association (USCCA) is launching its 2024 Annual Appeal. We thank you for your past support and hope you will continue supporting our program and mission through a positive response to this Appeal.
USCCA was born in 1989. We remain dedicated to building bridges of friendship in support of our Catholic brothers and sisters in China and throughout the United States.
In August 2024, we celebrated the 35th year since the founding of the USCCA at the 29th International Conference, which gathered 135+ lay and religious individuals in Chicago from many countries including the U.S. and China.
In a video message from Cardinal Stephen Chow of Hong Kong shown on Sunday morning of the Conference, he reminded us that:
"The basis of your association must be 'friendship.' A friendship that is characterized by understanding, respect, acceptance, and finding God in the Chinese culture.
Yet, without a bridge, a connection will not happen.
One of the celebrated ways to foster interculturality is through "bridge-building", connecting the two cultural land masses.
However, being a bridge or a bridge-builder is not as romantic as it might sound. We should bear in mind that a bridge is useless until it is walked all over or rolled over by vehicles…
Is the Association ready to play that critical role?"
“Yes,” is the response of the USCCA to Cardinal Chow’s challenge.
Since the 1600s, being Catholic in China has required stamina of faith; and this remains true today. These challenges represent our creative common witness and love for the Gospel. May our compassion allow us to travel on the road to reconciliation through fostering dialogues and building friendships between the peoples of China and the United States.
The 29th International Conference reaffirmed the USCCA as a “culture and community of encounter”— to borrow from Pope Francis. Take a moment to watch a 90-second over of our three-days together.
We have dedicated the next 12 months to strategizing for the future and reimagining concrete ideas and programs for how the USCCA can live out its mission in the years to come.
The 2024 Annual Appeal seeks to raise $100,000.
Your support will enable us to
● increase our information and educational sources through our website, webinars, and with our USCCA partners.
● plan for our 30th International Conference to be held in Houston, Texas during the summer of 2026.
● learn from and serve existing Chinese Catholic parish communities throughout the United States.
● increase the reach and impact of our Chinese and American Friendship Ministry for support and accompaniment of Chinese students in American colleges and universities.
● extend the reach of our Mission Cooperative Program to Catholic parishes via year-round educational offerings.
● welcome young participants into the USCCA’s Af iliate Program who wish to use their talents to expand our engagement with the public.
● expand our thriving Book Circle program for those inspired to learn about Chinese religion and culture.
● encourage scholars to research the rich legacy of Chinese Catholicism in China and the United States.
● develop an organizational structure to support the USCCA's future and hire the next Executive Director.
The USCCA was founded to continue the tradition of over 33 American religious congregations of men and women, mission societies, and laity who were missionaries to China in the twentieth century. Your engagement with the USCCA, as well as your spiritual and financial contribution, large or small, allows you to personally invest and see how the Gospel will come to life for all of us who are united in faith with Chinese Catholics in China and the United States in 2025 and years to come. We have a new Board with new officers, many new directors, and energy. We are committed to furthering our mission with your support in new and creative ways.
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
You can learn about the USCCA at our website and donate to the 2024 Annual Appeal here.
Peace, blessings, and hope.
The USCCA Board The USCCA is a recognized Catholic organization under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Oakland. It is a 501(c)(3) organization and your donation is tax-deductible, as allowed by law.
The success of our work depends upon the generosity of caring people like you.
Tel: (510) 900-2015 • E-mail: Director@USCatholicChina.org
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