Contributions to Annual Catholic Appeal are tallied as donors ‘Share God’s Gifts’

By Terence Hegarty

SPRINGFIELD – With one-time gifts and pledges received by the Diocese of Springfield as of May 7 totaling $504,567.24 the first week of the active phase of the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) was completed.

The active phase of the annual diocesan fund-raiser runs from the kick-off weekend of April 26-27, to the end of June.

“Despite the current economic conditions in western Massachusetts, I am encouraged by the initial response from parishioners,” said Kenneth Hokenson, who began earlier this year as secretary for institutional advancement in the diocese and now oversees the operation of the campaign.

“I am particularly pleased that a majority of pastors have been very cooperative in assisting staff, and many others, to actively encourage parishioners to give what they can,” said Hokenson.

One of the many ministries supported by the ACA, the weekly televised Mass, “Chalice of Salvation,” served as a venue to highlight appeal weekend April 27. From St. Michael’s Cathedral, Springfield Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell celebrated the special 10 a.m. Mass officially kicking off the 2008 ACA.

“As we begin the Annual Catholic Appeal today, we pray for those in need here in the four counties of western Massachusetts,” Bishop McDonnell said as he began the liturgy. “We pray for all those agencies and ministries and services that reach out to help.”

In his homily, Bishop McDonnell told attendees and viewers that the needs of those served by the appeal are growing. “Like the Holy Father, I’m asking ordinary people to do extraordinary things – to assist in the spiritual and corporal works of mercy through this appeal, because of faith in Christ,” he said.

The theme for this year’s campaign is “Sharing God’s Gifts with Those in Need.” The week before the appeal weekend, 89,000 appeal letters were mailed to registered Catholics in western Massachusetts from Bishop McDonnell. In his letter, the bishop asked parishioners to consider making a pledge to help those who rely on the ACA.

“The Appeal enables our church to implement and administer… critical services in a comprehensive framework in order to carry out the work of Jesus Christ,” the letter read. “It would not be possible to carry out His work without your assistance.”

Hokenson told iobserve that the poor economy this year has meant that more people are seeking assistance. He also said he realizes that some cannot afford to contribute to the appeal at all. “I encourage people who cannot give, to please pray for the success of the 2008 appeal,” he said.

At a Chicopee press conference held April 9, Bishop McDonnell stood in front of the Holyoke Catholic High School construction site and announced that the goal for the 2008 appeal is $2.9 million.

The ACA, begun in 1959, supports more than 40 agencies, ministries and programs. Since its inception, the appeal has raised and distributed more than $93 million to assist the elderly, families and children across the diocese.

And, in Catholic schools across the diocese, many students are being taught the faith because of the generosity of donors. More than $600,000 is allocated each year to low- and moderate-income families for tuition assistance.

Much of the $600,000 comes from the ACA. Franciscan Sister of St. Joseph M. Andrea Ciszewski, superintendent of schools for the diocese, believes that Catholic schools provide the most effective way of spreading the faith.

“Just recently our pope reminded us of the importance of our Catholic schools,” she said. “And we certainly hope that we can continue to provide this education for as many people as seek it.”

Sister Ciszewski noted that many families simply would not be able to send their children to Catholic schools without financial help. “So, we are grateful to the donors… so that children can continue to learn of the faith.”

Sister Ciszewski said a gift to the ACA is a gift that will last well into the future, and that the real beneficiaries are the children. “They will go out into the community and be community builders in the church and in society for the future. So that’s how important this mission is.”

Staff members of the Emergency Services Office, which is part of the Diocese of Springfield’s Catholic Charities Agency, have a mission too: assisting area people who are in need of immediate financial help.

“What usually brings people here is some kind of financial crisis brought on by a situation they don’t have immediate control of,” said Vickie Riddle, executive director of the Diocese of Springfield’s Catholic Charities Agency. “They cannot ask their employer for a thirty percent increase just because their rent or their utilities or their heating oil or their food costs have gone up.”

Those rising prices, according to Riddle, have led to a dramatic increase in the number of people requesting help from her office in making their rental or utility payments. Those who contribute to the ACA are living out the teachings of the church, Riddle said.

“The mandate of Catholic social teaching is that we are responsible for caring for the least among us: the orphan, the widow, those children who are unable to manage their own support,” Riddle said. “And so, the Annual Catholic Appeal helps us, as Catholics, to give in that spirit of Catholic social teaching and to fulfill our responsibility as Catholics.”

Last year, the ACA achieved its $2.9 million goal, with gifts and contributions totaling $2,932,756. Many area agencies, and the people they help, are relying, again this year, on the generosity of donors.

Hokenson said he encourages people to make a pledge to the appeal rather than a one-time contribution. Pledges are paid over an eight-month period. “Pledging enables many to spread their giving… and, sometimes, enables donors to give more,” he said.

“I would like to thank the many pastors and their staffs who have assisted our efforts,” Hokenson said, “and (I) also thank parishioners who have so generously given.”