Diocesan Annual Appeal approaches goal of $1.4 million

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
Dec. 13, 2007

This year's Diocesan Annual Appeal is getting closer to its goal of $1.4 million. The appeal has already reached over $1.3 million in pledges as of Nov. 30.

"We are ahead of schedule. We have brought in more cash and exceeded pledges from last year," said Kristie Arlt, director of communications and stewardship for the Diocese of Sioux City. "We are actually ahead of the curve of where we were at this time last year going into the holiday season, so that is very encouraging."

The theme of DAA is based on the Scripture verse, Luke 10:2, "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest."

"I think it is going well. I have talked to some of the pastors throughout the diocese. They are working exceptionally hard to explain the benefits of DAA. Their parishioners are responding generously and I know that is because of the hard work of the priests. They control the success of their campaigns and they are doing an outstanding job," said Arlt.

She added that some priests have contacted her and asked for help.

"That is what the stewardship office is for - to lend support," she said. "If priests or finance councils need some ideas or if they are struggling meeting their goals, that's what this office is for."

Hundreds of parish and diocesan ministries are supported through the appeal. These ministries include Catholic schools, parish religious education programs, religious education Media Center, adult and family ministries, Tribunal, Catholic Charities, peace and justice action commission, permanent deaconate, youth ministry, Hispanic ministry and other diocesan ministries.

"Without DAA many of our religious programs would suffer, our schools would suffer, especially those parishes that have schools to support," said Arlt. "DAA enriches many of the ministries that we are doing in the diocese."

DAA benefits every parish in the diocese. On the basis of 100 percent goal achievement, each parish will receive 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. Parishes will receive 100 percent of the funds raised above their goal.

"The generosity of our parishioners throughout the Diocese of Sioux City is overwhelming," said Arlt. "This is my first year doing DAA and I am overjoyed and impressed by the generosity of our parishioners and our clergy. You have to walk the walk if you are going to do the talk. When you talk about DAA and any kind of giving, you have to give yourself."

She explained that the priests are "walking the walk when it comes to DAA and that makes a huge difference to parishioners."

Anyone still considering a Diocesan Annual Appeal pledge should contact their parish priest or contact Kristie Arlt at the Chancery office.

"If they are unclear where the money goes, what ministries the DAA supports or how it helps their own parish, they should ask questions and educate themselves," said Arlt. "It is never too late to give to DAA. I would encourage parishioners to help their parishes meet their goals."