Diocesan Annual Appeal Raises Record Total
 

The 2006 Diocesan Annual Appeal has raised $6,090,552, the highest amount in the history of the campaign. The goal of the campaign, which was officially launched last September, was $5,250,000.

The record total in pledges has been received from more than 39,000 donors.

“I am immensely grateful for the overwhelming response to the 2006 Diocesan Annual Appeal,” said Bishop Joseph F. Martino. “The support and stewardship by more than 39,000 donors have resulted in the Appeal reaching its highest amount ever.”

The Bishop expressed particular gratitude to individual and corporate donors who have made major gifts to the Appeal totaling $1,139,309, which enabled the campaign to surpass $6 million in pledges for the first time.

“The success of this year’s Appeal will enable the Diocese to continue to carry out its mission in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania,” Bishop Martino said.

The 2006 campaign, under the theme “Fulfilling God’s Plan…Doing Good for Others,” sought funding for several new initiatives.

These include a grant program whereby parishes can apply for funding for catechists to obtain education online through the Catholic Distance University in Hamilton, Va. Funding is also available to facilitate post-confirmation catechesis. Information on these programs can be obtained by contacting Janet Benestad, Diocesan Secretary for Parish Life, at 207-2213.

Grants will also be available to assist financially troubled parishes.

In addition, assistance will be provided to soup kitchens in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport, St. Anthony’s Haven homeless shelter, and Project Hope/Camp St. Andrew. Fatima Retreat Center will also receive funding.

These are in addition to the campaign’s traditional core components: recruitment and formation of seminarians, care for retired clergy, support for the many programs offered through the Office for Parish Life and Evangelization, funding for The Catholic Light and CTV: Catholic Television, scholarships for students in Catholic schools, and money to maintain Diocesan facilities.

The historic success of the 2006 campaign is a testament to the faith and generosity of Catholics throughout the Diocese, according to Monsignor Peter P. Madus, Appeal moderator.

“Since that first Annual Appeal in 1987, we can only marvel at the thousands of donors who made the generous sacrifices needed to help our Diocese continue the mission of the Church,” he said. “We are sincerely grateful to all who prayed for the success of the Appeal, including those who were not able to make or fulfill a pledge this past year for whatever reason. As moderator of the Appeal, I join with Bishop Martino in sincerely thanking each person who contributed or supported the Appeal by their prayers. With optimism and hope, I encourage all to continue your prayerful and generous support for the 2007 campaign to begin soon.”    

Ernest G. Pappa, Appeal director, cited the priests and the hundreds of dedicated parishioners who helped make the Appeal a success in their parishes. “A campaign with the scope of the Appeal could not succeed without the efforts of pastors and leadership teams that put into action the plan developed by the Diocese. A successful Appeal is always a team effort.”

Mr. Pappa said the Diocese will attempt to build on the momentum of the 2006 campaign’s record success as the 2007 Appeal prepares to begin next month.

More than 300 pastors and members of their Parish Appeal Teams attended workshops this week in Williamsport, Laflin and Minooka. The 2007 Diocesan Annual Appeal begins with Announcement Weekend on Sept. 29-30.