June 21, 2008
Growing success, ongoing need for support to Annual Catholic Appeal
By Herald staff
Jeannele, among the many persons assisted by monies from the Annual Catholic Appeal, was helped during her pregnancy by the Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home in Sacramento when she was jobless and homeless and is now living with her four children. Photo courtesy of the Annual Catholic Appeal
Parishioners throughout the Diocese of Sacramento have pledged more than $1.85 million to the 2008 Annual Catholic Appeal.
Monies from the appeal, which was conducted in February, help assist more than 20 charitable organizations and agencies in Northern California, which run more than 100 social service programs.
Earlier this month parishes throughout the diocese received comprehensive reports on the results of their efforts at the parish level in promoting this year’s appeal. Nearly 16,000 parishioners in the diocese responded to the appeal — more than double the participation in 2007 and a 55 percent increase in gifts and pledges.
Because of the commitment and efforts of pastors and parochial vicars, as well as appointed parish lay advocates in 60 percent of parishes — a first for the appeal — social service charities will see an increase in funds for the third consecutive year, according to Beth White, associate director of the diocese’s Office of Social Service Ministry and one of the directors of the appeal.
She said parishes will also receive a substantial overall increase in funds for their own social service ministries.
“The level of volunteerism we saw in the parishes this year was very gratifying,” White said. “This was both from the parish advocates who responded to their pastors’ request for service, as well from as charity and clergy advisors who helped us create the expanded grassroots effort to increase awareness of the important impact the appeal has in people’s lives.”
White said she sees the increased involvement of pastors and parish advocates continuing in future years, particularly since the appeal “helps them act on the social mission of the church in their own communities.”
Of the net proceeds of the appeal, 50 percent will go to the social service programs that are supported by the appeal, 25 percent will be returned to parishes for their own social service ministries or local community ministries, and 25 percent will support formation and education expenses for diocesan seminarians and building new parishes in rapidly-growing areas of the diocese.
White said average participation in annual appeals in dioceses throughout the United States is 30 percent. The 2008 response from parishioners in the Sacramento Diocese represents approximately 16 percent participation, as compared to about eight percent participation in 2007.
“We are very encouraged that this year’s increase bodes well for continued growth in coming years,” she said. Pastors have already been asked to appoint their parish advocate for 2009 by June 30, with training to be scheduled in the fall.
Goals for the Annual Catholic Appeal in coming years are estimated at $2.7 million (23 percent participation) in 2009, $3.5 million (29 percent participation) in 2010 and $4.2 million (35 percent participation) in 2011.
The 2008 appeal is still underway. Those who have not yet made a contribution are invited to participate either by calling the Office of Stewardship and Development at (916) 733-0266 or by visiting the ACA page on the diocesan Web site where a printable pledge form is available.
