April 21, 2010

ACA begins this weekend

By Julie Filby

The 2010 Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal (ACA) kicks off at Masses this weekend April 24-25.

Money raised through the annual appeal supports nearly 40 ministries.

“Donations to the ACA support the broader needs of the Church,’” explained Todd Smith, director of annual giving for the archdiocese. “It’s an opportunity for parishioners from all over northern Colorado to pool their resources to support ministries that are too large for any one parish or any one individual to maintain.”

These ministries—which include the two seminaries of the archdiocese, Catholic schools, Respect Life efforts, televised Mass, and HIV/AIDS ministry—serve individuals ranging from newborn babies, to young men preparing for the priesthood, to elderly who are unable to get to church any longer.

“As fellow Catholics, it’s our responsibility to support the works of our archdiocesan community,” Smith said. “When you make an appeal donation, you’re helping the larger Church do what she does best: draw people to Christ.”
Commitment Weekend is April 24-25; Follow-Up Weekend May 1-2.

To decrease administrative costs, parishioners are asked to pledge as early as possible by completing a commitment card in the pew one of these weekends—or by promptly returning the pledge card that arrived in the mail.

“As soon as you pledge, either by making a donation or by making a commitment to donate, you will not receive any more 2010 appeal solicitations in the mail,” Smith said. “This could save the archdiocese thousands of dollars in production and postage costs that, in turn, could go directly to the ministries.”

In-pew commitment cards will be available in parishes starting this weekend. Last year, more than $1.7 million was pledged by donors through in-pew commitments and donations.

The goal of the appeal is determined each year as a percentage of parishes’ annual fiscal offertory. Since parish offertories remained relatively static last fiscal year, so did the goal for the ACA: $8.5 million.

In 2009, $7.6 million of the $8.5 million goal was collected from more than 29,000 households which represented nearly 25 percent of the registered households in the archdiocese. While pledges vary greatly, the average pledge in 2009 was $272.

General tithing practice encourages Catholics to donate 10 percent of their annual income. One formula suggests 5 percent of income be donated to one’s parish, 3 percent to other charities, and 2 percent to the archdiocesan Church through the ACA.

In a letter mailed to registered parishioners, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., thanked donors for their past contributions and recognized how their combined effort helps “ease the hardships of our neighbors, enhance the spiritual lives of our people, and advance the education of children and adults.”

He also reminded the faithful that times remain difficult.

“It is precisely during these difficult times that more individuals approach the Church for assistance and guidance,” he wrote. “This is where you and I are called to be ambassadors of Christ’s love for all people.”

The Scripture passage central to this year’s appeal: “…love one another deeply from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22), calls the faithful to serve their neighbors generously.

“Like Jesus, we are called to ‘love one another deeply from the heart,’” Archbishop Chaput wrote. “The challenge for us today is to open the doors of our hearts … as our openness and transformation increase, so does our charity…”

Appeal gifts are tax deductible, and can be made in one lump sum or in payments over several months. Cash, checks or credit card donations are accepted.

Archbishop's Catholic Appeal

Donations to support the archdiocesan Church
Phone: 303-715-3111
E-mail: bettyjane.nelson@archden.org
Web: www.archden.org (Offices, Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal)
Mail: 1300 S. Steele St., Denver CO 80210