Diocesan Annual Appeal to kick off Sept. 7-8
By RENEE WEBB
Globe associate editor
Posted August 22, 2002

The Office of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Sioux City is gearing up for this year's Diocesan Annual Appeal.

The appeal will officially kick off the weekend of Sept. 7-8 with motivational homilies at weekend Masses and presentation of a letter about the appeal by Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo. DAA pledge cards will be mailed to all parishioners the week of Sept. 9.

"This year's goal is $1.4 million," noted Steve Elbert, director of development. "DAA addresses the annual needs and costs of broader parish and diocesan ministries. We rely on yearly contributions. They are vital to the programs that are offered."

While the diocese recently held a Centennial Campaign, he explained that the campaign addresses the future needs of the parishes and dioceses.

"As the endowments to the particular areas continue to grow, the earnings will assist in the planning of those ministries in the future," he said.

Through the Diocesan Annual Appeal yearly contributions ensure that programs remain vibrant and effective.

In addition to providing important funding for programs and to offices such as the Catholic Charities, Religious Education Media Center, Permanent Diaconate, multi-cultural ministries and Diocesan Tribunal, all diocesan Catholic schools and every parish in the diocese benefits.

On the basis of 100 percent goal achievement, each parish will receive the following returns: a two-school parish receives 78 percent of the money and diocesan share is 22 percent, a one-school parish receives 38 percent of the money and the diocesan share is 62 percent and parishes with no schools receive 13 percent while the diocesan receives 87 percent of the money.

Parishes receive 100 percent of funds raised above their goal.

"Many parishes go well above their goal because they know it is a very efficient and effective way to raise money on a yearly basis for their ministries," noted Elbert.

In a letter about the Diocesan Annual Appeal, Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo wrote that it was a particularly difficult time in the life of the Catholic Church in the United States.

"The Holy Father is exact in writing this year about the twisted and confused course of history," he wrote. "Though the abuse scandal has caused us much suffering and pain, it is also a time to look to our supernatural faith in God and in his son Jesus Christ. That is the bedrock. If our faith in the church is confused, it may bring some good, since it allows us to see that it is God who is our object of faith. We believe the church is an instrument and sign of God's presence. As sign, it needs renewal and purification - always."

It is in that light that the bishop asks parishioners of the Diocese of Sioux City to respond generously to the DAA.

"I am most grateful for the generous assistance that the faithful of this diocese have provided for the past 27 years for the DAA. I pray that the experience of intimacy with Jesus in the Eucharist, the very activity of Christ that makes the church, will not only be a personal blessing for you but also an encouragement to go out and witness to that intimacy and communion in service and stewardship for the life of the world," wrote the bishop.

Elbert also thanked parishioners for their past contributions.

"Our people have been very generous to our annual appeal and we are hoping they will continue to fund the annual programs for our parishes as well as our diocese," he said.

To mark the centennial of the Diocese of Sioux City, this year the Office of Stewardship and Development opted to make the appeal special by giving away some items. For persons who increase by $100 or make a new gift of $100, they will receive a limited edition medallion containing Our Lady of Guadalupe on one side and the coat of arms of the diocese on the other. Those who increase or make a new gift of $150 will receive a copy of the diocesan history book, Frontiers of Faith, autographed by Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo. Those who increase their gift by $200 or offer a new gift in that amount will receive both items.

"We thought it would be a nice way to commemorate the centennial of our diocese and a great way for those willing to give an amount to receive something meaningful," said Elbert.

Parishioners are asked to place their DAA envelope with pledge and/or check in the parish collection by the end of September.