Bishop's Appeal backs education

For the 45th year, the Diocese of Albany is conducting its annual Bishop's Appeal to support parish and diocesan programs, from campus ministry and consultation services to St. Bernard's Institute and the Black Apostolate. This year's theme is "Love With Sacrifice...The Greatest Gift of All. Be Christ to One Another" (also see editorial on page 12 and ad on back page).

Last year, $6.3 million was raised through the Appeal. Since there hasn't been a decline in total contributions since 1974, Jack Manning, director of the Appeal, is hoping for another increase in 1999.

Education

* It costs $125,000 to educate and prepare each of the eight men who are being trained for the priesthood; the Bishop's Appeal supports their seminary training;

* Catholic school students, whose education costs an average of $2,273 per year at the elementary level and $3,991 at the high school level, are aided through the Bishop's Appeal, which supports schools throughout the Diocese;

* The televised Masses produced by the diocesan Media Office each week as well as on special occasions like Christmas and Easter are paid for through gifts to the annual campaign.

Allotment

Of the $6.3 million raised through last year's Appeal, 30 percent went to Faith Formation and Education, which includes diocesan junior and senior high schools, the Office of Religious Education, campus ministry, and the Resource Library.

Formation and Clergy Support Programs received 17 percent for such departments as the Diaconate Office, Vocation Office, St. Bernard's Institute and the Office of Vicar for Religious.

Catholic Charities received 15 percent of the funds raised through the 1998 Appeal to support its offices in all 14 counties of the Diocese and such departments as DePaul Housing Management, the Commission on Aging, and the Commission on Peace and Justice.

The Appeal also funds counseling, the Black Apostolate and the Chancery.

The purpose of the Bishop's Appeal, said Mr. Manning, reaches back to the very beginnings of the Church: "to carry out Christ's mandate to be Church. Our mission is to model what Jesus lived Himself -- to be His Church in our day and time."

(04-22-99) [[In-content Ad]]