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DIOCESAN APPEAL HAS NEW LOOK
With a new name, a new goal and a specific set of beneficiaries, the annual fund-raising campaign of the Diocese of Brooklyn has begun seeking support for its 2005 appeal, committed to its theme, “Building God’s Kingdom Through Generous Hearts.”
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has announced that the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA), formerly the Annual Stewardship Appeal, will seek $8 million for programs and services supported by the Diocese. Last year, the goal was $4.5 million, but parishioners pledged $6.5 million.
In launching the appeal, the Bishop established seven priorities:
---Catholic Charities ($2 million), for programs including hospital chaplaincies, the Apostolate to the Deaf, pastoral care of the sick, assistance to persons with developmental disabilities and housing and home care for the elderly.
---Catholic education ($2 million), for needs-based scholarships and school support.
---Parish share: ($1.5 million), the amount parishes received over their goals to be used for local needs. All receipts over goal will be returned to the parish.
---Parish assistance ($750,000), a new source of funding to parishes with exceptional needs.
---Vocation support ($750,000), for scholarships to students in major seminaries preparing for ordination, the Vocation Office, Cathedral Seminary Residence in Douglaston, Cathedral Prep in Elmhurst and the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington.
---Religious education ($500,000), for catechist training, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, young adult ministry, adult faith formation and campus ministry.
---Migration services ($500,000), for pastoral, educational, legal and occupational training programs.
These priorities are being identified and explained at a series of regional receptions hosted by Bishop DiMarzio. The first was conducted at St. Mark’s Church, Sheepshead Bay, Jan. 30, and they wi9ll continue until March 10. In addition to the regional receptions, parish receptions are scheduled, hosted by the parish pastor or administrator and the local appeal team.
The public phase of the ACA, during which appeals from the pulpit will be made, is set for the Masses on the weekend of March 5-6. The “in-pew” solicitations are scheduled for the weekends of April 16-17 and 23-24.
A video featuring the Bishop and narrated by Rosanna Scotto, anchor of Fox 5 News, will be presented. It includes interviews with persons representing the Immaculate Conception Seminary, SS. Joachim and Anne Residence in Coney Island, St. Rita’s parish in East New York and St. Sebastian’s School in Woodside.
Copies of the video will be sent to the 216 parishes in Brooklyn and Queens for airing at Masses and other parish occasions, according to Thomas F. Flood, director of the diocesan Stewardship and Development Office.
Bishop DiMarzio said raising the goal to $8 million was necessary, given the cost of offering programs and services by offices and agencies committed to “serving the Lord through good works” to a cross-section of the community.
A financial report on the Central Funds of the Diocese for 2004, released last week, showed a gap between diocesan revenues and expenditures for these services, he said.
While the deficit last year was narrower than in two prior years, which he called “a hopeful sign,” the Bishop urged parishioners to “help us bridge the gap” by supporting the appeal.
Said Mr. Flood, “The ACA is about people giving to people.”
In planning for the appeal, Bishop DiMarzio retained Community Counselling Service, the firm that assisted the Diocese in its successful capital and endowment campaign in 1996.
Mr. Flood said a 16-member pastors’ advisory committee, formed by the Bishop and chaired by Msgr. Joseph P. Nagle, the pastor of St. Patrick’s Church, Fort Hamilton, has provided guidance during the planning and active stages of the ACA.
In urging a widespread response to the appeal, Bishop DiMarzio said: “It is through the generous hearts of all our faithful that we communicate and live our faith. We spread God’s word and His love with the goal of building His kingdom.”
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