2012 Catholic Services Appeal

How your contribution to the

CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL helps support vital ministries

Promises of God MANY ARE THE

2 CORINTHIANS 1:18-20

The Catholic Spirit February 16, 2012

Make your pledge to the Catholic Services Appeal and help those in need This year’s Catholic Services Appeal is to be held the weekend of Feb. 25-26. The theme of this year’s CSA is “Many Are the Promises of God,” which is taken from St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Here the Apostle to the Gentiles is telling his readers that Jesus is the steadfast and unambiguous “Yes” of God to the redemption and reconciliation of the world.

Furthermore, God has sealed us, as believers, with the Spirit of Jesus — that we Archbishop might also be steadfast and John C. unambiguous in our “Yes,” Nienstedt which gives glory back to God. That “Yes” on our part in faith involves our worship and adoration of God in a daily life of prayer. But it also involves the compassion and concern we show our neighbor, especially the poor, the sick, the confused and the stranger in our midst.

THAT THEY MAY ALL BE ONE

SHARED MINISTRIES One of the primary ways we, as an archdiocese, respond to the human needs around us is through the CSA, which is not just a second collection, but rather a “campaign” for the works of charity.

Through its outreach, we as a local church, can fund those ministries that no single individual or parish could accomplish on its own. Some of these shared ministries are: • The education and formation of our 68 seminarians, who are discerning a priestly vocation; • Providing $2.25 million in need-based tuition assistance for hundreds of

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families wanting a Catholic education; • Supporting our mission in Venezuela, consisting of 65,000 parishioners; • Providing over $1.2 million to Catholic Charities for family services, prenatal and parenting programs, food and shelter for the homeless, services for the aging, refugee support, adoption and more; • Fostering respect for life from birth until natural death; • Supporting the Leo Byrne Residence, a home for our retired priests as they continue to minister to the faithful to the extent they are able.

It is appropriate that this year’s Commitment Sunday falls on the first Sunday of Lent. These 40 Days of Prayer and Penance are meant to lead us to works of charity and almsgiving. The CSA offers the perfect outlet for that intention.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

When I was a newly ordained priest, my first pastor recommended that annually I give at least a thousand dollars to the Archdiocese of Detroit’s own CSA, by pledging that amount over the course of the year. Since coming to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, I ARCHBISHOP’S have increased that amount SCHEDULE five times over. I think it is important to lead by example.

• Sunday, Feb. 19: 10 a.m., Making a pledge, be it large Minneapolis, Church of St. Olaf: or small, allows us all to make Sunday Liturgy. a greater sacrifice over a period 7 p.m., St. Paul, University of St. of time. In this way, we are able Thomas: “lectio divina.” to identify with the self• Monday, Feb. 20: 8:30 a.m., St. sacrifice of Jesus in his Passion Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: and death on the cross. It Planning for “lectio divina” at the becomes our own way of University of St. Thomas. furthering the mission entrusted 6 p.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s to him by our heavenly Father, Residence: Operation Andrew thus fulfilling his many Dinner. promises.

• Thursday, Feb. 23: 3 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archdiocesan Finance Council meeting.

7 p.m., St. Paul, Cathedral of St. Paul: Lenten Talk to RCIA class.

God bless you!

HOW TO GIVE There are several ways you can donate to the Appeal. To make an online donation, go to HTTP://APPEAL.ARCHSPM.ORG. The archdiocese also accepts gifts by check, credit card, automatic bank withdrawal and stock.

Checks can be mailed to: Catholic Services Appeal, 328 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul, MN 55102. For more information about how to give, please call (651) 2901610.

Catholic Education

$1,236,000 Catholic Charities

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Fundraising / Communication

$2,410,000

$797,000

Returned to parishes

Total pledged in 2011

$1,480,000

$9,752,221

Marriage, Family and Life

Parishes in the archdiocese

$618,000

206

Clergy Services

$2,010,000

BY THE NUMBERS: Your investment in the Catholic Services Appeal Clergy Services includes St. John Vianney Seminary, St. Paul Seminary, hospital chaplains, prison chaplains and the Byrne Residence for retired priests.

Catholic Education includes elementary schools, secondary schools and campus ministries.

Parish Outreach includes the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women and Hispanic ministry, Indian ministry, deaf ministry and the archdiocese’s Venezuelan mission.

Marriage, Family and Life includes marriage preparation, ministry to persons with disabilities and the Respect Life Office.

$749,000 Parish Outreach

Bus tour highlights the ministries appeal supports

Jack Steger, right, of St. Pius X in White Bear Lake, greets St. Peter Claver School eighth-graders Blessing Awode, left, Jacori Johnson, Henriana Tommy and Dorothy Register during the CSA bus tour Jan. 31.

Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit

By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit

Father Kevin McDonough, pastor of St. Peter Claver in St. Paul, turned to a group of six eighthgraders at St. Peter Claver School and asked a simple question: “Why are you so special?”

In unison, they replied: “Because God made us that way.”

This was not an answer rehearsed for the group of 33 visitors who came to the school on the Catholic Services Appeal bus tour Jan. 31. Rather, it is a response ingrained in them from the first day they enter the K-8 school.

Father McDonough, therefore, was not surprised by their quick answer. Rather, he wanted to make a point during his presentation to the donors present on what their CSA dollars mean to this school.

“Your gifts make this possible. If we didn’t have your support, we wouldn’t have a middle school,” he told the group. “So, these eighth-graders wouldn’t be here today.”

Appeal dollars have been vital to this school, which reopened 10 years ago after closing some 13 years before that.

It started in 1950 and stayed open until 1989, when financial struggles forced its closure. Today, there are 128 students in the school, and its influence extends beyond that to local Catholic high schools like Hill-Murray, CretinDerham Hall, Cristo Rey and DeLaSalle.

‘A CHANCE TO GIVE BACK’ Father McDonough’s remarks and the tour in general made a strong impression on donors such as Mary Klein of St. Jude of the Lake in Mahtomedi.

“It was a marvelous, marvelous presentation,” she said.

“This appeal is a chance to give back. What I like about the appeal is you can donate to one thing that covers so many necessary ministries, whether it’s Catholic Charities, Catholic schools or the seminary.”

The Catholic Spirit

A total of three buses took donors to three ministry sites, contributions — $159 per giver in 2011, up $10 from the with each bus going to one of them. In addition to St. Peter previous year. It also makes possible an affordable school Claver School, buses also made stops at the Byrne Residence choice for parents like Jennifer Johnson, who has enrolled for retired priests in St. Paul and St. Pascal Baylon in St. Paul two children at St. Peter Claver School — Jacori, an eighthfor a presentation on the archdiocesan mission in Venezuela grader who was part of the group welcoming bus tour

by Father Greg Schaffer, pastor. Fathers Schaffer, visitors, and Marcus, a sixth-grader.

McDonough and Rinaldo Custodio, a retired priest, An educator herself, she did also made remarks following the bus tour at a lots of school shopping before dinner that took place at St. Peter in settling on St. Peter Claver for Mendota. her daughter to start kindergarten eight years ago.

Although the overall tone of the “My main goal was for her event was serious, there was plenty to go to a Catholic school of laughter during the evening, because that’s what I’m especially when Father Custodio familiar with and that’s how I stepped up to the microphone to was raised,” Jennifer said. “The describe life at the Byrne reason I chose St. Peter Claver Residence, named after former is that it’s so welcoming in Archbishop Leo Byrne. terms of racial diversity. My “We affectionately call it the daughter is both white and home for unwed fathers,” Father black, and they [teachers and Custodio said, drawing a roar of staff at the school] are laughter from his audience. welcoming. That’s one thing On a more serious note, that is important to me — that Archbishop John Nienstedt added the children feel comfortable.” that it is rare for an archdiocese to have the foresight to build such a wonderful home for its retired Father Kevin McDonough GETTING PEOPLE priests. It is one example of how Pastor, St. Peter Claver, St. Paul ‘ON BOARD’ CSA dollars provide care for those who faithfully serve the church.

Feeling comfortable with One of the archbishop’s proudest moments came when he CSA, meanwhile, are Pat and Mary Regan of St. Elizabeth informed the people attending that the appeal campaign not Ann Seton in Hastings, this year’s CSA chair couple. They are only exceeded its goal for the second year in a row in 2011, back for a second year and are the ones who came up with but smashed it. A total of $9.75 million was raised, with a the idea for a bus tour last year. goal of $9.3 million. The year before, the campaign went It was a natural thought, given that they own and run a over goal by $40,000. bus company, Minnesota Coaches, Inc. in Hastings. They are “For the first time in eight years, we went over our goal [in the ones who provided the buses for the tour. A second tour 2010],” the archbishop said. “What you’re doing is making a took place Feb. 8, with stops at St. Vincent de Paul in St. Paul difference. . . . I just get energized by being with you and (a second presentation by Father Schaffer about the mission seeing your enthusiasm.” in Venezuela), Pope John Paul II School in Minneapolis and the St. Paul Seminary.

Ultimately, that enthusiasm translates to significant

BOB ZYSKOWSKI • Associate publisher

JOE TOWALSKI • Editor

Vol. 17- No. 4

The Catholic Spirit’s mission is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Writers: Pat Norby and Julie Carroll Photographer: Dave Hrbacek

MOST REVEREND JOHN C. NIENSTEDT Publisher

Designer: Caron Olhoft

“Your gifts make this possible.

If we didn’t have your support, we wouldn’t have a middle school.

So, these eighth-graders wouldn’t be here today.”

All materials copyrighted by Catholic Spirit Publishing Company.

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BRAD AND STACIA POESCHL Parishioners at St. Cecilia, St. Paul

JAMES PETERSON Third-year seminarian, The St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity

PATRICIA MCARDLE Aging services manager, Catholic Charities

ROBBIN SUDDUTH Mother and aunt of students at Ascension School, Minneapolis

FATHER RINALDO CUSTODIO Retired priest from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and house liaison at the Leo C. Byrne Residence, St. Paul

Growing together in faith

Serving as Jesus modeled

Providing dignity to the aging

Changing young people’s lives

Assisting retired priests

Brad and Stacia Poeschl were so impressed by the marriage preparation program offered by the archdiocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Life that they were eager to attend the annual marriage retreat in February 2006, just eight months after their wedding in June 2005.

James Peterson is counting down to May 2013, when he hopes to be ordained a priest.

As a boy, the altar server admired his parents, who lived out their faith in simple daily ways. He is now receiving a first-rate education at The St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, which hit a 30-year high this year with 100 seminarians. James has been stretched by new ministries, sustained by daily Mass and fortified by the robust brotherhood among his fellow seminarians. “The promise we made is to really make the most of our formation here,” he said.

Prayerful and financial support of the seminary affirms his vocation. James once called a donor who has been supporting seminarian formation for 30 years. “I can barely hear you,” she said over the phone. “I’m nearly deaf, I’m blind, I live all by myself, and yet I realize God has been good to me every day of my life and I want to thank him for it.”

Her generosity compelled the seminarian to give more of himself. These encounters are glimpses of the bigger picture, James said: many parts, one body of Christ.

The consequences of a persistent recession — lay-offs, foreclosures, medical insurance cuts — can be a crueler indignity for senior citizens. They’ve worked a lifetime for security and now, entering their golden years, seem to be starting at the beginning.

When Robbin Sudduth’s sister died unexpectedly, suffering an asthma attack in her sleep, she left behind a 4year-old son whom Robbin adopted.

Faced by the daunting charge to raise the boy in her beloved sister’s honor, Robbin’s first decision proved to be her wisest: enrolling him in a Catholic school.

Kameron is now a smart, sensitive fourth-grader at Ascension Catholic School in Minneapolis. He loves math, excels at basketball and looks out for younger students. “He’s coming out of his shell,” Robbin said.

She and her husband, Leondo, manage money carefully — coupons, bag lunches, “whatever it takes,” Robbin said — but Kameron could not attend Ascension without the scholarship awarded by the Catholic Services Appeal.

Tragedy upended their lives, and Ascension helped them heal as a family. Robbin sees how the school educates Kameron as a whole person.

“It steers him in the direction of a full life,” she said.

Opening their doors to a child like Kameron is a privilege and a duty, Principal Dorwatha Woods said. “We are living out the mission of the Catholic Church.”

Father Rinaldo Custodio, 75, is officially retired from fulltime ministry, but he still offers Masses in archdiocesan parishes and is house liaison at the Leo C. Byrne Residence in St. Paul, where he lives.

Although Brad had continued to practice his Catholic faith, Stacia had left her childhood faith and joined another Christian church during her teens and 20s, and the couple eventually married in a non-denominational church. But the archdiocesan marriage preparation program and retreat rekindled an interest in Catholicism.

The couple joined St. Cecilia in St. Paul, where Stacia went through the RCIA program in 2008 and their pastor, Father Michael Byron, blessed their marriage in 2009.

“We have been really involved at St. Cecilia and we got involved with Bill Dill [archdiocesan marriage preparation and youth ministry events coordinator] and all the different things going on at the archdiocesan level,” Stacia said. “It’s wonderful to serve in your parish community, but then to have a broader view of all the great things that are going on in the archdiocese.”

The Poeschls have given their testimony at marriage preparation weekends, helped plan the annual marriage retreat and now have a 6-month-old daughter, Grace, to care for while they each work full-time jobs.

That’s why Catholic Charities’ Aging Services department is so vital, assisting nearly 1,000 low-income seniors throughout the archdiocese.

The staff meet with seniors in their homes, assessing their health and offering muchneeded resources; they tend to caregivers, who are susceptible to burn-out; and they help a vulnerable homeless population, the seniors on the streets.

“We take every person, non-judgmentally, where they are in the moment,” said Patricia McArdle, Aging Services manager.

Patricia’s team recently aided a woman who had raised a family and worked as a secretary for decades. When her husband was diagnosed with cancer, medical expenses quickly depleted their bank account and she found herself with no equity in her home and unable to work. Catholic Charities coached her on which services she could utilize.

Catholic Charities keeps seniors connected to their communities, bringing parish bulletins and hot tea, filling their refrigerators and their hearts. By donating to the Catholic Services Appeal, you can sustain this important ministry.

Father Custodio, who will celebrate his 50th priestly ordination anniversary in March, said he appreciates the generosity of donors who support the Catholic Services Appeal, which helps finance affordable apartments for retired priests in the archdiocese.

“Our room is furnished and we have our meals, laundry and our room cleaned, and we’re able to have some privacy and community when it’s desired,” he said.

The central location allows priests to celebrate Mass, penance services and funerals or weddings in nearby parishes. They also can celebrate Mass at the residence.

Tom Chapple, who has served more than 12 years as administrator of the 29-unit apartment building, said the residence was the dream of the late Archbishop Leo Byrne, who died before the first residence was built in 1979. The late Archbishop John Roach raised the funds to have the first building erected.

Promises of God

The marriage retreat day helps “put us in that mindframe to discuss some of those deeper, more spiritual issues around our marriage that we don’t think about every day in the midst of work and having our baby,” Brad said. “Now that we’ve got some really great programs at our church to build Grace’s knowledge of the Catholic faith, being with her on her faith journey — that will be a big focus for us.”

MINISTRIES

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MADE

MANY ARE THE

2 CORINTHIANS 1:18-20

POSSIBLE

THANKS

TO

YOUR

SUPPORT

OF

THE

CATHOLIC

“The building was donated by the ‘who’s who’ in the Catholic community and given to the archdiocese and the priests,” Chapple said. The current building was completed in 1995.

Operating expenses are covered by the rent paid by the priests, he said. But any long-term capital improvements or disasters — like a furnace replacement — are paid for by the archdiocese through funds raised by the appeal.

Although Chapple retired as director Jan. 29, he said he plans to continue volunteering at the Byrne Residence.

“I feel my ministry is to help these fellows through tough times with their medical stuff, as a surrogate family member — that’s where I feel I’ve made a difference,” he said.

SERVICES

APPEAL

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Relationships motivate chair couple to serve second year Mary and Pat Regan of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Hastings are serving as CSA chair couple for the second year in a row after a successful campaign in 2011.

Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit

By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit

T

he role of Catholic Services Appeal chair couple is not officially a two-year assignment. But that didn’t stop Pat and Mary Regan of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Hastings from taking on the task for a second straight year.

When they stepped forward a year ago and accepted Archbishop John Nienstedt’s invitation to take on this important leadership role, they sensed they might end up doing it for two years, even though they were not formally asked to do so at that time.

One thing that made it easy for them to say yes a second time has to do with the relationships they formed throughout the past year — one, in particular.

“We became good friends with the archbishop, and we like to help our friends,” Pat said. “We have developed a good relationship with him.”

So much so that Archbishop Nienstedt has agreed to preside at their daughter Angela’s wedding at the cathedral Aug. 4.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Mary said. “It’s an honor that he will do it. They’ve met with him a couple of times. He’s been very involved with them. He doesn’t just want to be a stranger on the altar.”

But, there is much more to their role than building a relationship with the archbishop. As they described why they feel passionate about supporting the CSA, Pat pulled out a list of CSA volunteers, both at the deanery and parish levels. He rattled off names of dedicated volunteers, some of whom have been doing it for four decades.

Felix, Venezuela.

“I babysat him,” Mary said. “He grew up a block away from me. He’s the oldest in his family and he’s just a very, very nice, gentle person. Even as a child, he was very caring.

And, that’s very inspiring.”

MINISTRY BUS TOUR The Regans aren’t sure how much of an impact the bus tour had on last year’s campaign, but it coincides with the Of course, central to the whole campaign are all of the exceeding of CSA’s $9.3 million goal for 2011. So far, a total ministry providers supported by CSA. And, the Regans came of $9.75 million has been raised. up with a creative way to help CSA donors get in touch with “It’s magnificent, it’s awesome, those who use their valuable it’s very amazing in today’s dollars — a ministry bus tour. The economy,” Pat said. “People, I Regans, who own a bus think, really understand that their company, tried it for the first time CSA contributions are very last year and brought it back efficiently utilized. They get a lot again this year. of bang for their buck.”

On two different nights, Jan. 31 Although the average gift and Feb. 8, buses took people on amount went up during the 2011 three different routes, stopping at campaign (to $156 per giver), “so a ministry site where bus riders did the needs,” Pat said. That is met people who work in the why every gift counts, small as ministry, heard a presentation and well as large. asked questions.

Interestingly, one of those six “Whatever families can afford is ministries featured on the tour appreciated,” Mary said. “Any involved a person Mary has amount of money, whether it be known since childhood — Father $10 or $100, people know their Pat Regan Greg Schaffer, pastor of the money is used effectively. It goes Venezuelan mission parish, Speaking about the CSA, toward this huge mission, with which exceeded its goal last year Jesucristo Resucitado in San many people benefiting.”

That, as much as anything, is why he and Mary were quick to say yes to a second year.

“These people come year after year to help,” Pat said.

“They’re really the people who make this campaign happen.”

WHY STEWARDSHIP? In the early 1990s, the U.S. bishops collectively prayed and reflected on the hallmarks of Christian discipleship.

Grounded by many solid biblical foundations, the bishops concluded that a disciple of Jesus is truly a thankful, responsible and generous caretaker of God’s many blessings.

Based on several parables and the many apostolic instructions, Jesus’ disciples understood they were to share their gifts with others. They believed in a provident Lord who multiplied meager offerings of bread and fish.

Guided by Scripture, we believe that the Christian steward is a person whose prayer

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“It’s magnificent, it’s awesome, it’s very amazing in today’s economy. People, I think, really understand that their CSA contributions are very efficiently utilized.

They get a lot of bang for their buck.”

A summary of the U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter

leads to a constant awareness that God is the creator of all blessings in life — spiritual and material. Jesus presented the ultimate gift to God — the gift of his life — and we, too, are called to follow in Jesus’ footsteps by: • Receiving God’s gifts gratefully.

• Cultivating them responsibly.

• Sharing them lovingly in justice with others.

• Returning them with increase to the Lord.

CARING FOR GOD’S GIFTS God has entrusted us with the gifts of material creation, our individual vocation and the living out of God’s mission through

the church. Gratefully caring for these gifts leads to these tangible examples of stewardship in our daily lives: • Stewardship of creation: Respecting life, protecting the environment and developing our world through noble human labor.

• Stewardship of vocation: Faithfully carrying out our unique individual roles in God’s plan.

• Stewardship of the church: Prayerfully sharing our time, talent and treasure to fulfill the mission of the parish, diocese and universal church.

Stewardship as a way of life has astonishing implications for our relationships and our daily lives. We can experience life-

shaping changes of mind and heart when we commit ourselves to the Lord.

Recognizing God as the origin of life, we receive gifts in a gratitude that is glued to action, eager to demonstrate our love for God and neighbor.

The journey of discipleship is one of intense joy, fulfillment and peace. As Mary, the mother of Jesus, lived her ministry in a spirit of fidelity and service, we can find the same favor with God by living as authentic stewards of our world, our vocation and our church.

— From the “Stewardship Toolkit” at WWW.ARCHSPM.ORG

“

We donate to the Catholic Services Appeal because we find it to be a great way to support our archdiocese as a whole. Because the appeal is able to help a wide variety of causes across a broad geographic, ethnic and socioeconomic spectrum, by contributing to the appeal, we are able to help organizations and people that we would otherwise find difficult to reach. Finally, we are so grateful for the excellent, faithful leadership of Archbishop Nienstedt that we want to help provide the financial means he needs to continue the beautiful work he is doing.

— Sheryl Moran, 48, Our Lady of Grace Church, Edina

“

““ ?

WHY DO YOU CONTRIBUTE TO

THE CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL?

My husband, Gene, has been involved with the CSA for about 15 years, so we both have been able to see up close the programs it funds.

— Mary Santi, 69, St. Mary of the Lake, White Bear Lake

My wife, Iika, and I donate to the Catholic Services Appeal because it's simply the right thing to do. It's an integral part of our faith and feels as natural as attending Mass each week.

We feel good knowing our contribution is benefiting many programs throughout the archdiocese, some of which work their way right back into our own parish and community.

It's a win-win for everyone.

— Scott Wilgenbusch, 46, St. John the Baptist, Savage

I give to the Catholic Services Appeal because God says whatever you do for others, you do for me.

— Vernon Hei, 69, St. John the Baptist, Savage

Parish’s stewardship goals start with creating community

By Theresa Malloy The Catholic Spirit

S

t. John the Baptist in Savage has kept its stewardship goal simple: get more people to come to Mass.

“Attending Mass is the focus of our faith,” Father Michael Tix said. “It’s the foundation of who we are and what we’re called to be.”

He said the parish wants to bring its community together to join in the Paschal mystery and celebrate the Eucharist.

“Stewardship is about feeling connected and feeling at home,” Father Tix said. “We want people to feel welcome, to think, ‘I have a place here. This is mine.’”

About a year ago, St. John the Baptist conducted a study looking at parish life and developing a strategic plan. Through a series of interviews and discussions, people seemed to want more communication, connections and welcoming between parishioners and the community, Father Tix said.

To achieve this, Father Tix said he believes it starts with Mass, which is a time to unify people of faith.

“The one common element is coming around the altar,” he said. “The best way to communicate with people is the Gospel. . . . The eucharistic image of the body of Christ is what strengthens us and nourishes us.

It’s the bread of life.”

STARTING WITH PARTICIPATION Father Tix said stewardship starts with participation, then stems out to the other areas: time, talent and treasure.

He said at the ministry fair this past year, the parish had more than 900 people attend, which is the largest group St. John’s has seen.

In January, the parish councils and commissions met to evaluate the stewardship goal’s success. Father Tix said the feedback was positive.

“We feel connected,” he said. “The biggest thing I’ve heard from people is that we’re moving in a positive direction.”

Attendance at the parish’s ministry fair this past year was an increase of 30 percent from the previous year, said Scott Wilgenbusch, a member of St. John the

“Attending Mass is the focus of our faith.

It’s the foundation of who we are and what we’re called to be.”

Father Michael Tix Pastor of St. John the Baptist, Savage

Baptist’s Stewardship Commission.

“I believe the St. John’s stewardship program has been a great success,” Wilgenbusch said. “The membership of the Stewardship Commission has grown, the planning and preparation for events has improved, and the overall participation from the parish and the community in the stewardship events has increased as well.”

The parish conducted a baseline attendance count last October but does not have any data collected at the moment that clearly indicates if attendance has improved. However, Father Tix said St. John’s will continue to collect attendance numbers throughout the year. The parish councils and commissions will meet later in the spring to evaluate the numbers, look at trends and come up with a model for adapting this goal for the next year.

“We tend to see it not as a short-term, but a long-term goal,” he said.

He added that the parish will look to answer questions: “Are we able to open up avenues to conversion? How are we helping that? How are we agents of that?”

The councils and commissions will keep this goal in mind when considering programming.

Father Tix emphasized how important it is to stay focused on this.

“Living the life of Jesus is through our time, talent and treasure,” he said. “That’s the heart and soul of who we are and what we need to be. We can’t lose that focus.

That’s our identity.”

9 best practices in parish stewardship The following list of best practices has been developed from extensive research done with Catholic parishes on a national level. This is an edited version from the Parish Stewardship Tool Kit. You can access the entire kit online at: WWW.ARCHSPM.ORG/DEPARTMENTS/DEVELOPMENT-STEWARDSHIP.

1.

2.

Be a welcoming parish that takes community building seriously. Parishes need to warmly welcome all members.

Everyone has something to contribute.

Appoint a stewardship committee. Parishes that have an active and involved stewardship committee are more successful because the parishioners take an active role in planning and implementing a stewardship program.

3.

Be accountable to your parishioners. Showing parishioners where their gifts are used and how their time and talents are being managed can lead to a broader understanding of stewardship and a greater sense of fulfillment. One way to share this message is by developing and communicating a Parish Stewardship Accountability Report.

4.

5.

Seek annual commitments. Stewardship requires a commitment on the part of parishioners.

Set goals. Vibrant parishes have a shared vision and goals that support that vision. Goals should be set for all ministries. They should be challenging, yet realistic and, when possible, measurable. The parish also needs to report on the progress made toward reaching their goals.

6.

7.

Communicate with parishioners. The message of stewardship should be communicated many times over the course of the year — utilizing many media sources.

Identify lay witnesses. An important part of stewardship education is the testimonies presented to parishioners by individuals whose lives have changed as a result of stewardship.

Stewardship is a part of the internal change of heart or conversion process we know so well from the Scriptures — stories of men and women who became compelled to put their faith into action.

8.

Be grounded in prayer. Several parishes have their own stewardship prayer and they invite all households to pray the stewardship prayer during the renewal season and at periodic times throughout the year.

9.

Ask for help from the Office of Development and Stewardship. Most strong stewardship parishes have not done it alone. Call (651) 290-1610.

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ways

TO GIVE

Registered parishioners will receive a letter in the mail this month along with a personalized pledge envelope. Blank pledge envelopes are available in parish pews or in parish literature racks. Please fill out the pledge envelope information and return it to your parish.

DONATE ONLINE This is a quick and easy way to make your yearly donation.

Go to HTTP://APPEAL.ARCHSPM.ORG/GIVING.HTML to make your donation online. You can use your credit card or bank accounts.

WRITE A CHECK You can make your check payable to The Catholic Services Appeal and mail it along with your pledge envelope directly to your parish or to: Development and Stewardship Office, 328 Kellogg Boulevard West, St. Paul, MN 55102.

CREATE AN AUTOMATIC BANK WITHDRAWAL Instead of a one-time gift, consider spreading your pledge throughout the year. Both the pledge envelope and the online giving site allow you to create a weekly or monthly gift withdrawal from your credit card or bank accounts.

TRANSFER STOCK Transferring appreciated stock directly to the Catholic Services Appeal is both easy and tax deductible. Contact Jennifer Beaudry, development officer, for more information at (651) 291-4529.

MAKE A PLEDGE GIFT Gifts to the CSA can be pledged over a 10-month period. By spreading your commitment over 10 months, you can increase the size and impact of your gift.

SEEK MATCHING FUNDS It may be possible to double your gift to the Catholic Services Appeal through a matching gift. Many employers (and former employers, for retirees) match the charitable gifts of their employees. Check with your employer’s human resources department to see if they will match your charitable contribution. Complete their matching gift form (or fill one out online) and send it along with your gift information to the archdiocesan Office for Development and Stewardship.

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