DAA helps many diocesan agencies through parishioners contributions

By JULIE KEANE, Globe staff reporter
September 9, 2004

The Diocese of Sioux City will kick off the Diocesan Annual Appeal this weekend in hopes of raising money for various diocesan level programs and ministry needs.

The goal for this year is just over $1.3 million. This annual event is held to help provide various ministries of the diocese monetary support. Some of those ministries include 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, Tribunal and Catholic Charities.

Jerry Eaton, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, said without the money received from the DAA, Catholic Charities would not be able to offer its counseling services on a sliding fee scale, which would effect many people in the diocese.

"The contribution from DAA makes it possible for us to offer quality counseling services from masters degree-licensed people to people with very low incomes based on their ability to pay," Eaton said. "It also makes it possible for us to offer those services on a sliding fee schedule to middle income families who don't have benefits like insurance. The contributions we get from DAA make a huge contribution to many people."

All of the counseling done by Catholic Charities is private and confidential. Eaton said during the past year, Catholic Charities had clients from each county in the diocese. With the satellite offices in Carroll, Fort Dodge, Algona and Storm Lake along with the main office in Sioux City, Catholic Charities is able to provide help to more people in the diocese.

Along with Catholic Charities, the Religious Education Media Center is also partially funded by money received from the DAA. The media center is a tool religious educators can use to help access information to help them teach and build others faith.

"The major role of the Media Center is to help teachers and instructors of religious education to build the faith life of people of all ages," Deacon Larry Sitzman said. "This begins with the preschool child who is taught that God is good and always loving. It aids the adolescents as they internalize their religion and form their own values. It also helps adults gain insight into their spiritual journey."

Deacon Sitzman said the media center has seen many changes since its beginning in 1976. The most recent change in the media center was the conversion of the 800-plus page Media Center Catalog to a CD-ROM, which was mailed to all pastors, pastoral ministers, school administrators and DREs in the diocese. Along with the CD-ROM, religious educators can also access information via the diocesan Web site.

"More and more users are becoming familiar with the Media Center on our diocesan Web site," Deacon Sitzman said. "Teachers can browse through the materials, order on-line and usually receive a confirmation back the same day. Though it is a major task, it has been our goal to provide quality religious education materials to aid pastors and teachers in their spreading the word of God."

Through the help of the DAA, the media center is able to purchase the latest videos, cassettes and books that continue to aid the faith life of the entire diocese.

"The money given to the DAA enhances the Media Center, its offerings and the faith of all people," said Deacon Sitzman. "Thank you for the continued support of this ministry that helps so many throughout the diocese - preschool through retired."

Eaton also wanted to thank those who contribute each year to the Diocesan Annual Appeal. He said without the money received from the appeal many in the diocese would go without the help they receive from Catholic Charities.

"For the people of the diocese, through DAA, to give money when they are not actively knowing who is getting the services says a great deal about the spirituality and the methods Catholics use when they think about one another," Eaton said.

The Diocesan Annual Appeal will begin Sept. 11 and 12 throughout the diocese. Parishioners will receive information about the appeal in the mail next week.