NEW YORK – Catholics now have the opportunity to participate in the missionary work of the church each time they use a new affinity credit card.
The Society for the Propagation of the Faith in New York recently announced the creation of the World Missions Visa credit card. The card will generate funds for the society and will be used to support the work of the church’s missions in more than 120 countries, according to a release.
“With this credit card, Catholics here in our country can be part of our work – in effect missionaries here at home through their prayers and this financial assistance,” Monsignor John E. Kozar, national director of the pontifical missionary societies in the United States, said in a statement.
One percent of purchases made with the card will go toward pastoral and evangelizing work in Asia, Africa, the Pacific islands and Latin America.
With $10 generated from the Visa cards, the society can buy clothing for 10 Sudanese children, and with $4 from the cards the society can provide food for a kindergarten program run by local sisters.
“We encourage participation in this program whose donations will support the church’s worldwide mission to bring help and hope to the suffering and the poor,” Monsignor Kozar said.
The card is issued by the Washington Mutual banking company in conjunction with Follieri Capital, which provides financial services to Catholic organizations in the U.S.
Those who apply for the card will receive full Platinum Visa benefits, which include a variety of services, will be able to make online bill payments and will have zero fraud liability and no annual fee.
The Society for the Propagation of the Faith is one of the four pontifical missionary societies and the largest Catholic organization promoting missionary awareness and distributing funds for the missions.
“Throughout the missions, whether it’s at a Catholic orphanage or a rural health clinic, or through outreach to children or adults with HIV/AIDS, Propagation of the Faith support sustains local priests, sisters and brothers, and lay catechists who offer concrete help – and hold out hope of Our Lord – to the poor,” Monsignor Kozar said.
More information about the credit card and applications are available online at: www.worldmissions-catholicchurch.org.