DAA continues, successes shine through

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
November 10, 2005

As the Diocesan Annual Appeal is nearing the end of the follow-up phase, the diocesan development director extended thanks to those who have participated and mentioned that there is still time to give.

"We encourage any folks who have not contributed through DAA to put their envelopes - pledges and gifts - in the basket at Mass this coming weekend," said Steve Elbert. "We are running pretty close to what we had last year and for that we are very grateful to the people of our diocese."

The diocesan development director pointed out that they have had some challenges along with success stories in many forms.

One parish that has consistently met its DAA goal in recent years is Sacred Heart Church in Manilla. Father Robert Gralapp, pastor, pointed out that for several years the parish has gone over its goal by about $500 and this year they surpassed it by about $1,000.

He credited the success to the "generosity of the people." The priest also mentioned that he encourages support of this effort from the pulpit.

Father Gralapp is not only pleased with the dollar figure that was raised but also the fact that more than half of the parishioners contributed to the campaign.

One of the reasons that he encourages support of the appeal is that he believes in it. Father Gralapp served on the first committee when the diocesan-wide appeal was initiated about 30 years ago.

"You encourage your people, hope that they respond and they did," he said.

Elbert pointed out that while some of the success stories have been financial - meeting the parish goal - other successes have been more of a pastoral or ministry nature.

Father Mike Erpelding, pastor at St. Joseph Church in Sioux City, mentioned that he felt a need to put in a stronger personal effort to help the parish achieve its DAA goal. With that in mind, he contacted the diocesan development office for suggestions.

"I have some volunteers that are going to help me do follow-up with DAA, but in the meantime I have taken it on myself to try to call each person that hasn't responded to the DAA," he explained.

In reaching out to people for the appeal, it has enabled Father Erpelding to visit with many of his parishioners. He was assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Sioux City just this past July, so these DAA phone calls in some cases have been the first opportunity for him to have a personal conversation with them.

"I've found that some people no longer belong to the parish - they've moved. I've also found some people are shut-ins and just recently they have not been able to get to church," he said. "I've identified some pastoral needs. I need to go visit some of these people."

The priest also spoke with some people who are presently going through difficult times.

"I've found some people aren't very active in going to church. They haven't met me yet and I've invited them to come to church," said Father Erpelding.

He mentioned that he has been overwhelmed in this process. And the people have liked the calls. Many have expressed thanks to him.

"This is something new for me, I had never done this before and I no idea what I was getting myself into but it's turned out to be a means for wonderful communication with the people in the parish," said Father Erpelding.

The pastor went into it with the thought of money and goal-achievement, but it turned into something much more.

Father Erpelding said it goes to show that DAA is much more than raising money, "it's about people connecting with one another - whether it be parishioners calling on parishioners, a pastor calling on parishioners, the pastor calling on the diocese for help. We are working in this together with the goal to meet the needs of the people in the parishes of the diocese."

Some of his parishioners opted to give to the appeal and that is helping the parish meet its goal. For others, circumstances prevent them from the ability to contribute. Father Erpelding stressed the fact that they can contribute in other ways such as through prayers.

Elbert expressed gratitude to all of the pastors and volunteers who have helped to make a difference in this year's DAA.