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ACA supports Church ministries builds up the body of Christ
Parishes that exceed goals get rebates
By Julie Filby
The 2011 Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal (ACA) will get under way at Masses the weekend of May 7-8.
Money raised through the annual fundraising campaign supports ministries in the Denver Archdiocese including the two seminaries, Catholic education, Catholic Charities, prolife outreach, communication and evangelization efforts, religious education, prison ministry, and support for marriage and family.
This year’s ACA theme “…God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7), selected by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., points out that service to one another is as important today as it was 2,000 years ago.
“St. Paul emphasized this central theme … when he stressed the Church’s unity to the converts in Corinth and implored their financial help for the faithful in Jerusalem,” Archbishop Chaput writes in an ACA letter. “In much the same way, your charity will signify the Church’s unity, while also building up the body of Christ.
“However,” the archbishop writes, “St. Paul was quick to add that when someone donates, the gift should be offered not grudgingly, but in a joyful spirit.”
In that spirit of generosity, some parishes have been known to exceed their ACA goal. When a parish’s ACA payments surpass their original goal, that parish receives a 50 percent rebate on any additional income. The other 50 percent helps compensate for the parishes that do not reach their goal.
“Last year 40 parishes beat their ACA goal and received rebates—from a few hundred dollars to several thousand,” said Todd Smith, director of annual giving.
“Overall more than $355,000 was returned to individual parishes last year through the rebate program.”
This money can be used however a parish sees fit.
Last year’s appeal raised more than $7.5 million through nearly 28,500 donors representing 25 percent of registered households in the archdiocese. This combined generosity translated to $1 million to support Catholic education, $1.4 million for the two seminaries, and more than $600,000 for Catholic Charities and other social programs.
Nearly 40 ministries receive critical funding from the ACA.
“By writing one check to the appeal your gift will support ministries that safeguard the unborn, support our most senior citizens—and every age in between,” Smith said. “Instead of writing 40 checks a month, why not write one check to the appeal and know that many individuals and families will benefit from your kindness.”
The goal of this year’s appeal is $8.6 million.
“The last couple of years have been tough for many people,” Smith said. “When times are tough, more people turn to the Church, so we need more ‘cheerful givers’ to build up the body of Christ.”
To increase awareness of the ACA, organizers provided pastors and parish staff with resources such as pulpit announcements, bulletin alerts, and Prayers of the Faithful—allowing a congregation to pray for the success of the campaign during Mass.
“In a heightened effort to experience greater participation in this year’s appeal, all parishes will promote the appeal from the pulpit the weekends of May 7-8, May 14-15 and May 21-22,” Smith said.
Parishioners can pledge by completing a commitment card at Mass, or by returning the pledge card that arrives in the mail the first week of May. General tithing practice encourages Catholics to donate 10 percent of their annual income. One formula suggests donating 5 percent to one’s parish, 3 percent to other charities, and 2 percent to the archdiocesan Church.
Appeal gifts are tax deductible, and can be made in one lump sum or in payments over several months. Checks, money orders or credit card donations are accepted.
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