Diocesan programs benefit through contributions to Diocesan Annual Appeal

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
September 4, 2003

Each year money raised through the Diocesan Annual Appeal helps fund various diocesan level program and ministry needs.

According to Steve Elbert, diocesan director of development, the goal for this year is at just over $1.3 million. DAA kicks off in parishes of the Diocese of Sioux City on Sept. 6 and 7.

The diocesan entities that receive dollars from DAA include Catholic Charities, multi-cultural ministries, adult and family ministries, information services, the permanent diaconate, Religious Education Media Center, Marian Hall and Tribunal. In addition, almost a quarter of the money raised through the appeal goes toward general program underwriting, which benefits assorted programs ranging from development to religious education.

Linda Anderson, director of catechesis for the diocese, expressed thanks to the people of the diocese who contribute to DAA as the general program underwriting portion benefit the religious education and youth ministry departments in the diocese. These offices provide unlimited resources and information to parishes that help build the faith of children, youth and young adults in the diocese.

Jerry Eaton, executive director of Catholic Charities, pointed out that Catholic Charities receives 8 percent, $100,000, yearly from DAA.

"The Diocesan Annual Appeal, like the Christmas Collection and other donations we receive from individuals during the year, are our major source of revenue for our agency," he explained. "Without the revenue, we couldn't provide the services or the quality of services we provide or maintain the quality of staff that we have to provide the counseling services."

He pointed out that one of the main reasons funds are needed is the fact that Catholic Charities offers a sliding fee scale.

"On our sliding fee scale, for some situations, people pay no money at all. If the situation we are dealing with involves an unwed parent, then we charge no fees," said Eaton. "There are 50 different steps in the sliding fee scale itself from the lowest fee to the highest. The lowest fee is $10 an hour and there is no way that it pays for the salaries of master's-degree level licensed therapists."

He pointed out that there are many instances where the insurance plan of working families does not cover counseling.

Catholic Charities offers a variety of counseling services such as pregnancy counseling for unwed parents, marriage counseling, family counseling for parent-child conflict and individual counseling resulting from assorted situations such as the loss of a loved one, job loss or an abusive situation. The agency also offers post-abortion counseling through Project Rachel.

"We work a little bit harder with people and go a little bit further because there is a spiritual component to our work," Eaton said. "We believe in the worth and the dignity of every human being. Some agencies will work with people to the limits of their insurance and then stop working with them. We keep working with people. That spiritual component and that belief in people is sometimes all of the difference between working through a bad situation and not being about to work through it."

Knowing that there are such generous people out in the diocese that truly care about the needs of others is one of the most rewarding aspects of his job.

Counseling services of Catholic Charities are offered in Algona, Carroll, Fort Dodge, Storm Lake and Sioux City. In addition, the agency has a Family in Crisis Program that gives emergency money to families. Since January, Catholic Charities has given out over $41,000 to families from all 24 counties of the diocese.

The media center of the diocese receives 4 percent of the DAA dollars.

Deacon Larry Sitzman, director of the media center, commented, "While the media center budget is not one of the larger items within the total budget, I feel it has a tremendous effect within the entire diocese. Thousands of students and teachers throughout the Catholic grade schools and high schools of our diocese use our videos, cassettes and printed resources. A variety of religion textbooks are available for teachers and catechists to evaluate for their own centers."

He pointed out that the media center also offers a large amount of catechetical elementary and youth ministry resources to supplement teachers of religion.

"While videos are used for children and their parents for sacramental preparation, they are also a vital part of teaching Catholic history, moral values, commandments, respect for life, Scriptures, saints, prayer and the seasons and feast days throughout the liturgical year," said the deacon. "The materials we have available are important tools for the schools and religious education programs to assist parents in bringing up their children to be knowledgeable about their faith and strong in living out the Gospel values."

In addition to using materials from the media center for parish religious education programs, Sitzman noted that many parishes use the center's resources to offer education and spiritual formation on an adult level. Many opt to do this during Advent and Lent. He also mentioned a partnership with The Globe to offer a monthly book review for those interested in improving their own spirituality.

Check out the media center on-line at www.scdiocese.org. The Web site contains all of the material within the center's library.

"We are grateful for the encouragement from our bishop and the thousands of parishioners who support this vital teaching ministry of the church through their gift to DAA," said Deacon Sitzman.

Elbert pointed out that about 47 percent of money raised through DAA is returned to Catholic schools and parishes.