Grateful for past and present DAA support

September 15, 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

From the Gospels we are given the teachings of Jesus during his public ministry - - those values which we as his followers are called to live by.

The lifestyle Jesus lived, the people he associated with, the outlandish things he did while he was teaching brought upon him a number of uncomplimentary names. But never do we find him accused of being frugal or even miserly. On the contrary, if there is one characteristic of Jesus that stands out in the Gospels is his generosity, his outright extravagance and lavishness when we consider incidents as the wedding at Cana, the feeding of many with five loaves and two fish, and the huge catch of fish by Simon Peter and the Apostles.

The Diocese of Sioux City for the past 30 years has conducted a financial drive, the Diocesan Annual Appeal (DAA) to realize funds for various projects and programs on a diocesan level that help and assist the work in our parishes. The Diocesan Annual Appeal is providing a way of stewardship that relates to one of the favorite parables given by Jesus - "the seed that falls on rich soil produces an outstanding yield...."(Matthew 13:8-23) - a gospel value for us to recall and live by.

When you respond to the DAA you are making a genuine practical difference as a witness to the Lord on your faith journey. I encourage more of the faithful in our diocese to take part in this annual act of stewardship and solidarity. In our giving we imitate a couple of hidden heroes of the Gospel that caught the attention of Jesus - the woman who poured the jar of costly perfumed oil on the head of Jesus (Mark 14:3-9) and the poor widow who put 2 small coins (all she had) in the treasury (Mark 12: 42-44). Jesus promised that their good deeds would not be forgotten, whether large or small.

You will soon be receiving a Diocesan Annual Appeal mailing. I sincerely hope you will take some time to read it, pray over it, and then consider a donation to benefit this local Church of the Sioux City Diocese. This action in faith is living the gospel value. Once you have made your decision, kindly place your DAA envelope with the enclosed pledge and/or check in your parish collection.

I am grateful to all in the diocese for the generous assistance to DAA these past 30 years. You have heard and responded to what Jesus looks for - the barren branch is pruned away and the fruitful branches are trimmed clear to increase their yield. AND THE YIELD IS AN ABUNDANT ONE. When Jesus tells us that he came that we might have life and have it more abundantly - can He be more generous or extravagant? May we be the same.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Msgr. Roger J. Augustine
Diocesan Administrator