'Renewed' Diocesan Annual Appeal Taking Shape

The Diocese of Scranton will undertake a “renewed” Annual Appeal to generate increased support for programs and services, including several new initiatives.
The plan was presented to pastors at a meeting last Thursday, July 20, at St. Maria Goretti Parish Center in Laflin. As in the past, the priests will play a key role in implementing the campaign.

Bishop Joseph F. Martino expressed his gratitude for the work of the clergy and emphasized their importance to the success of “this ambitious endeavor.”
“For the short time I have served as the Bishop of the Diocese, I have continued to be impressed on a daily basis by the tremendous works of my fellow priests and of the many religious and lay persons who do so much to serve the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” he said. “The Diocese of Scranton gives witness to the Gospel message though pastoral, charitable, and educational services administered compassionately to the people of our 11 counties.”

The Bishop said the Church is committed to addressing parish needs, enhancing our children’s religious, elementary and high school education, encouraging vocations, and supporting a multitude of good works throughout the region.

“We have a special challenge to provide these services while maintaining our ability to finance them,” he said. “The Diocesan Annual Appeal is the primary vehicle for raising the much-needed funds for these programs.”

The Bishop announced that the goal for the 2006 Appeal will be $5,250,000 (for the past several years, the goal has been $4.4 million). Expanded efforts will be made to seek major gifts and to increase the average gift from $119 to $160 or more (the national average is $175). The case for support and the way it is presented to the people will be reshaped.

Bishop Martino reiterated the fact that strong leadership from pastors and key parishioners would be vital to promoting the Appeal. He pledged to assume the lead role with respect to major gifts.

Msgr. Peter Madus, Appeal moderator, introduced a new Pastors Advisory Committee that will help to formulate strategies and policies for the campaign.

Committee members are: Father Thomas McLaughlin, St. Luke, Stroudsburg, chair of the Committee; Father Philip Altavilla, St. Thomas More, Lake Ariel; Msgr. Francis Beeda, St. Joseph and St. Stanislaus, Hazelton; Msgr. John Bendik, St. John the Evangelist, St. Casimir, St. Joseph and St. John the Baptist, Pittston; Father Joseph Greskiewicz, SS. Peter & Paul, Plains, St. Joseph, Hudson, and Sacred Heart, Plains; Father John Lapera, St. Ignatius, Kingston; Msgr. John Louis, St. Gregory, Clarks Green; Father Joseph Manarchuck, St. Peter, Wellsboro, St. Mary, Blossburg, and St. Joseph, Morris Run; Msgr. Stephen McGough, St. Boniface, Williamsport; Father Paul Mullen, St. Vincent de Paul, Milford; Father Richard Polmounter, St. Mary, Help of Christians, Pittston; Msgr. Joseph Quinn, St. Rose of Lima, Carbondale; and Father Donald Williams, St. Vincent de Paul, Nativity B.V.M., and St. Stephen, Plymouth.

Msgr. Madus also noted that Auxiliary Bishop John M. Dougherty and the Episcopal Vicars will contribute to the Pastors Advisory Committee. They are Msgr. Vincent Grimala, V.G., Father Richard Loch, V.E., Msgr. Joseph Bambera, V.E., Father Joseph Kopacz, V.G., Father Jeffrey Walsh, V.E., and Msgr. Neil Van Loon, V.E.
“I have made a commitment to the success of the 2006 Diocesan Annual Appeal, and I hope I speak for each of the members of the Pastors Advisory Committee in saying that we look forward to working with all of you and with Bishop Martino in a collaborative effort for a successful campaign,” Msgr. Madus said.

Ernest Pappa, Appeal director, highlighted the Case for Support and its new initiatives. These include a grant/incentive program whereby parishes can apply for funding to help improve religious education programs; adding a charitable component to assist soup kitchens in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport, St. Anthony’s Haven homeless shelter, and Project Hope/Camp St. Andrew; and funding for Fatima Retreat Center.
These areas are in addition to the campaign’s core components: Clergy Recruitment and Formation, Clergy Retirement, Parish Life and Evangelization, Communications and Evangelization, Catholic Education, and Diocesan Facilities.

Father McLaughlin, chair of the Pastors Advisory Committee, provided a progress report on the group’s activity. In the month since its formation, the committee has addressed setting the new campaign goal, the aforementioned revised Case for Support, the Bishop’s role regarding the major gift phase of the Appeal, a revised parish goal structure, and a new campaign timetable.

To ensure success, Father McLaughlin asked his brother priests to do five things: demonstrate interest and support for the program and the good work it will accomplish; follow the Appeal plan; help to identify potential prospects; recruit a complete lay parish appeal committee; and deliver pulpit announcements in accordance with the Appeal timetable.

The Diocese has retained Community Counselling Service (CCS) to augment the current Annual Appeal program and assist parishes with the new plan. CCS is the preeminent Catholic fund-raising firm in the country and has conducted more successful arch/diocesan annual appeals than all other fund-raising firms combined.
Thomas Kissane, the company’s senior vice president and managing director, said the key elements of the plan are educating the laity, donor stewardship, clergy and lay leadership, sensitivity to local parish conditions, a phased approach, short-term pledges, and prayer.

An important factor, he noted, was keeping people informed about how their contributions will further the mission of the Church. Mr. Kissane outlined the campaign timetable.

The 2006 Diocesan Annual Appeal will officially kick off with an announcement in all parishes the weekend of Sept. 23-24. The weekend of Nov. 18-19 is “Commitment Weekend” featuring the in-pew pledge process in parishes.