Appeal Falls Behind Schedule To Reach Goal  

A Progress Report on the Diocesan Annual Appeal reveals that many parishes are having difficulty attaining their campaign goals, a situation that could lead to cutbacks in programs that serve the entire Diocese.

The report shows that $3,840,332 has been pledged to the Appeal as of Nov. 10, compared to $4,025,154 at this time last year. That amounts to a deficit of $184,822 (4.5%).

“If these trends continue, we would be in danger of not making the goal of $4,400,000 for the first time in the 19-year history of the Annual Appeal,” said campaign director Ernest G. Pappa.

Bishop Joseph F. Martino has expressed his concern, stressing that “it is crucial that every parish call attention to the fact that critical services are in danger of being cut if we do not reach the goal of the Annual Appeal. Support for the Annual Appeal is a very important responsibility of every parish in the Diocese. God has granted many gifts to all of us, and we are each called to share from what we have received. I am most grateful to all who have already pledged and have full confidence that the generous people of this Diocese will see to it that the 2005 Appeal will reach goal.”

The Bishop has written a letter to the faithful to be read in all parishes at Masses of obligation the weekend of Nov. 19-20. A copy of the letter is also published in the Nov. 17 edition of The Catholic Light.

In his message, Bishop Martino asks those who have not yet pledged to do so. He also asks those who have already made a pledge to consider increasing their gift to help the campaign reach its goal.

“Because you consistently put love of God and of others for His sake above all else, I do not hesitate to thank you in advance for your response to this request, which I find so necessary to make,” he wrote.

The Progress Report lists the amount pledged by each parish as of Nov. 10. Updated reports will appear in future editions of The Catholic Light. In addition, each parish receives a weekly report to provide parishioners with more frequent updates.