With all this thinking about how best to manage money, I think we should now turn our attention to the best part: how — and where — to give it. Here are some of my favorite charitable organizations:

The Catholic Worker (catholicworker.org) needs money donations, as well as warm winter clothing and blankets for the homeless.

The Catholic Medical Mission Board (cmmb.org) sends medicines, doctors and nurses to Third World countries that lack medical care.

The good works of the Selesian Missions of Don Bosco (salesiansmissions.org) are too numerous to itemize. Particularly impressive: their homes for children living in the streets of South America.

Catholic Charities USA (catholiccharities.org) does much that is both commendable and worthy of generous support.

The Columban Mission Fathers (columban.org) help the poor and hungry in many places throughout the world.

Catholic Extension (catholic-extension.org) helps home missions in many ways, including building chapels and supporting evangelization efforts.