Diocesan Annual Appeal kicks off Sept. 11-12

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
August 26, 2004

Each year the Diocese of Sioux City holds an annual appeal in order to provide the various ministries of the diocese with monetary support. This year's goal has been set at just over $1.3 million.

According to Steve Elbert, diocesan development director, the 2004 appeal kicks off on Sept. 11 and 12 in parishes throughout the diocese.

"Pastors will be addressing the 2004 Diocesan Annual Appeal at that time. Parishioners should receive their pledge cards in the mail the week of Sept. 12 - anytime between Sept. 13 and 17. We ask people to kindly return their gift in the envelope provided and put that in their collection basket," explained Elbert.

Diocesan entities and ministries that receive dollars from DAA include Catholic Charities, multi-cultural ministries, adult and family ministries, the permanent diaconate, Religious Education Media Center, Catholic schools and parish religious education, the Peace and Justice Action Commission and Tribunal.

In addition, money raised through the appeal goes toward general program underwriting, supporting programs that help the diocesan office productively serve the people of the diocese. These programs include offices of finance, operations, personnel and benefits, archives and records, prayer and worship, information services including the print shop, youth ministry as well as stewardship and development.

"Our Diocesan Annual Appeal is very unique in that we are a diocese that actually pays back a certain percentage to parishes based on their school affiliation. We are one of two or three dioceses that actually does that," noted Elbert.

Based on 100 percent of parish goal achievement, each parish receives the following return: a parish with two parish schools will receive 74 percent and the diocese receives 26 percent; a parish with one school receives 34 percent and the diocese receives 66 percent; a parish with no school receives 5 percent while the diocese receives 95 percent.

"All of the parishes - upon achieving their goal - will get anything above and beyond their goal," explained Elbert, who added that some parishes "smash" their goal knowing that they will get 100 percent of all money that surpasses the goal. "This is a unified and systematic way that they can have a fundraiser to help support their parish year after year."

The development director pointed out that parish goals are formulated by taking the number of parish households by $36.50.

"We ask people to consider giving 5 percent of their income to their parish, 4 percent to other nonprofit organizations and 1 percent to the Diocesan Annual Appeal," he said. "Some people will give one hour of pay per month to the appeal. We do ask those who have given in the past to consider an increase. Just like anything else, our cost in providing services goes up every year."

People can make a one-time gift or a payment plan can be set.

Elbert mentioned that he realizes there may be some people who are unable financially to support the appeal at this time. He would like those individuals to offer prayers.

"We have been blessed as a diocese," he said. "We live in a wonderful part of the world. Our people are caring and they have always been supportive with time, talent and treasure. We ask for them to consider supporting us again this year and keeping DAA strong for our church here in the diocese."