Bishop's Appeal seeks funds for schools, charity

The annual Bishop's Appeal begins this weekend in parishes across the 14-county Albany Diocese (see pages 4-5). Through it, Catholics support such major programs as Catholic schools, religious education and Catholic charities. The Bishop's Appeal also funds offices that train seminarians, prepare couples for marriage and carry on pro-life efforts.

Last year, the Bishop's Appeal raised more than $6.2 million, an increase of nearly eight percent over the previous year.

"In spite of a weak economy, increasing unemployment and even the scandal in the Church over sexual abuse, the Catholics of the Diocese once again responded generously to the needs of the poor, the elderly and all the others who are aided through the Appeal," said John Manning, director of the diocesan Stewardship Office, which runs the campaign.

He explained that, over the 49 years of the annual appeal, events inside and outside of the Church do not seem to deter Catholics from giving.

"I think Catholics in the Albany Diocese know the fundamental meaning and essential purpose of the campaign: to carry on the work of Jesus," Mr. Manning said. "They do not want Christ's message of faith, hope and love to be dimmed; and they know they are part of making sure it isn't. Their call to reach out to the poor and others does not cease when troubles strike. Indeed, the call is even louder then."

The increase in giving was especially striking, he continued, because thousands of donors were still paying the pledges they made to the Capital Campaign. That one-time effort in 2000 sought funds for long-term efforts in the Diocese, such as funding endowments for Catholic schools and charities.

"Even though they had assumed the obligations of the Capital Campaign," Mr. Manning noted, "Catholics recognized the needs outlined in the annual Bishop's Appeal and dug deeper. It is always impressive to see such solidarity among the members of our Diocese."

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard credited the sacrifices made by diocesan Catholics during last year's Appeal, saying: "The outstanding generosity shown again and again by Catholics has happened so often that perhaps I should no longer astonished by it. But I am definitely appreciative of it and deeply humbled by the message it sends about their willingness to sacrifice on behalf of others."

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