Pastors support Diocesan Annual Appeal

By JULIE KEANE, Globe staff reporter
September 30, 2004

Pastors in the Diocese of Sioux City see the Diocesan Annual Appeal as a way to help others in need, to build a strong diocesan support system and to provide monetary support for programs individual parishes cannot fund.

Father William McKane, pastor of St. Joseph in Hartley, Sacred Heart in Sutherland, St. Anthony in Primghar and St. Cecilia in Sanborn said he wants his parishioners to see the greater good that comes from this annual event.

"The DAA helps parishioners remember we are part of a larger parish," Father McKane said. "I am very proud of the way my four parishes work as one, but the DAA reminds them there is still a large community. We are in this together."

Father McKane said by contributing money each year, parishioners are reaching out to others and looking past their own needs.

"I think it shows a kind of selflessness that we are going beyond our own narrow self-interest," Father McKane. "If you put money out there, it says you are investing in the larger community and that is beneficial."

In Father Merlin Schrad's, pastor of Blessed Sacrament in Sioux City, 25-plus years as a priest he said he has realized all of the different benefits that are derived from the Diocesan Annual Appeal.

"I have realized that there are many programs being offered by the diocese that we as individual parishes would not be able to provide," said Father Schrad.

The DAA gives many parishioners the chance to support Catholic education by making contributions.

"The DAA gives all those parishes who support Catholic schools an opportunity to raise money to help pay for the investment that they put into Catholic schools," Father Schrad said. "The majority of the money raised is returned to the parish to help pay for Catholic education in their community."

Father Schrad noted with the money each parish provides to the DAA, they are in return benefited with many ministries including Catholic Charities, family ministries, the diaconate program, the media center and many others.

Blessed Sacrament also uses the DAA as a parish fundraiser. Each year, Blessed Sacrament sets a goal to help pay for the parish's immediate expenses. The parish uses the DAA as their major fundraiser instead of hosting small fundraisers throughout the year.

Father Edward Girres, a member of the pastoral team serving the Webster County Cluster, said not only does the money raised by the DAA help Catholic education but the money also helps each parishioner.

"There are a lot of things we can't do on our own like the media center," Father Girres said. "We can't stock a whole media center on our own. To have special programs available for the youth is also important. We can do a lot on our own, but we can't do everything on our own. I believe we have to do our part to support diocesan ministries. It is a good opportunity to further support our parishes."

Father McKane, Father Schrad and Father Girres all agree each parish benefits from the contributions made to the DAA.

"The more resources we have together, the more opportunities we have," Father Girres said. "I think it is wonderful that people see we belong to the bigger church rather than just the local parish. I am really grateful they support the larger church."