August 3, 2001
Around the Di-
The Catholic News & Herald 5
DSA 2001: Parishioners answer call of “Whom shall I send?”
Courtesy photo
Faith in action Sixty-five teens and 12 adult leaders from St. Hickory Church in Hickory recently returned from a week of service on a youth mission trip to South Bend, Ind. For the third year, the youth participated in the Catholic Heart Workcamp, a national faith-based service project. The youth joined 350 people from across the country, including a group from St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.
By JIMMY ROSTAR Associate Editor CHARLOTTE — Taking the 2001 Diocesan Support Appeal to heart, parishioners answered the call “Whom shall I send?” in record-breaking fashion, said the annual appeal’s director. Barbara Gaddy, associate director of development for the Diocese of Charlotte, announced last week that as of July 26, parishioners had pledged $4,109,445 toward the appeal. The pledges far exceed the appeal’s goal of $3,333,000. The Diocesan Support Appeal partially or fully funds 35 educational, Catholic social service, vocations and multicultural ministries throughout the 46 counties comprising the Diocese of Charlotte. Gaddy said the all-time high for pledges is a loving example of the many ways people are sharing their own gifts. “More and more people are embracing stewardship as a way of life, and the DSA is one way of living out that commitment and expressing gratitude to God,” she said. “One of the secrets to real happiness comes in giving to others — freely, with no strings attached, without seeking a reward or counting the cost. Some of us are sent by God to use our talents directly in service to others as catechists, counselors, seminarians, deacons, campus ministers or youth ministers. Others may participate in these important ministries of the church through contributions to the Diocesan Support Appeal. Still others may find that the only way they can serve the Body of Christ is through prayer.
“Regardless of our own individual needs, we can all share with other members of our ‘family’ a portion of the time gifted to us, the talent given to us, and the treasure allotted to us.” Gaddy reported that 65 parishes had exceeded their individual goals for the appeal, and another five parishes were within 10 percent of their goal. Several parishes in the Boone, Smoky Mountain and Asheville vicariates with traditionally larger summer-season congregations are currently in the midst of their appeal campaign. The diocese is now halfway into its sixmonth pledgecollection phase of the appeal, and Gaddy expects 95 percent of the pledges will be paid by October. In addition to DSA contributions, nearly 6,000 prayer intentions were included in parishioners’ pledge card envelopes sent to the diocese. Bishop William G. Curlin remembers those intentions at daily Mass celebrated in the pastoral center’s chapel. “I depend on the thousands of people in this diocese who have responded to the question, “Whom shall I send?” with an enthusiastic, “Here I am, send me!” Bishop Curlin said. “When I consider the rapid growth of this diocese and the tremendous task of providing for the increasing needs of the people, I know that I need help. I am ever so grateful for those who are eager to go forth and serve in the name of the Lord.”