---

So far, this year's Bishop's Appeal earnings are slightly less than last year's - but even this should be celebrated.

So says Thomas Prindle, executive director of development for the Albany Diocese. As of last week, the appeal had raised $6,832,557, about one percent less than this time last year.

"Given the economy and impacts of Called to Be Church, it's pretty close," Mr. Prindle said, referring to the diocesan pastoral planning process. In the consolidation, about 30 worship sites and parishes closed or merged. The number of Catholics who have yet to join a new parish remains uncertain.

One clear victory over last year's appeal did emerge: Since it started in April, the 2010 appeal solicited 61 more donors, for a grand total of 33,001.

"In the not-too-distant past, our number of donors falling by the wayside was incredible," Mr. Prindle noted.

He attributes the success to increased outreach and a greater understanding of the Church's mission among parishioners.

Work goes on
He added that parish staff and pastors, as well as parish volunteers, continue to work hard to plug the appeal, which will continue until March 2011. Some call donors; some knock on doors; some write letters.

"Donations are still coming in," Mr. Prindle added.

The average donor gave $207, a figure that has remained fairly consistent over the years.

In Bishop Howard J. Hubbard's kickoff letter, he stressed the growing need for diocesan assistance to agencies like Catholic Charities, which was affected by state funding cuts. In previous years, about 12 percent of the appeal supported Catholic Charities; about 23 percent supported the diocesan Catholic Schools Office.

Other offices that benefit from the appeal include pastoral planning, religious personnel development, support services, seminaries and administration.

The appeal is vital to Catholic Charities' 11 programs, which meet clients' basic needs in cities and rural areas, said Jack Simeone, associate executive director of Catholic Charities.

For instance, if a Catholic Charities client is evicted, needs a ride to a faraway funeral or can't pay for a prescription, agencies will come through with financial assistance or transportation. Community Maternity Services, a Catholic Charities agency, supports expectant mothers - many teenagers - and houses them if they come from high-risk homes.

More examples include psychological counseling services for uninsured patients in rural counties, a child abuse and neglect prevention program in Columbia and Greene Counties and an after-school program in the south end of Albany.

A resource center in the hill towns of Berne, Knox and Westerlo offers a food pantry and helps clients navigate the world of government assistance.

Parish presence
Elsewhere, the appeal helps the Diocese receive financial advice, address architecture and building issues, organize diocesan youth retreats and conferences and manage diocesan marriage preparation programs, noted Rev. Michael Farano, vicar general.

Father Farano tells his parishioners at St. Pius X Church in Loudonville that these efforts trickle down to individual parishes.

"We're not a congregational church," he explained. "I see the Bishop's Appeal as a concrete expression of that faith."

The next phase of the appeal this year involves reaching out to those parishioners who haven't responded to the campaign. The diocesan Development Office aims to boost the number of participants.

"It's still not too late," Mr. Prindle said. "If everybody in the Diocese gave something, we would exceed last year's appeal."

In his letter to parishes, Bishop Hubbard summed up the importance of the appeal.

"Your gifts to the Bishop's Appeal are the main lifeline for a multitude of ministries which every day carry out the mission of Jesus Christ on earth," he wrote. "Your gifts sustain those services and programs which a parish cannot possibly undertake on its own.

"I pray that we, the diocesan family, join together in faith and hope in this difficult economic time to extend His love and compassion to the most vulnerable among us."

(Chris Ringwald, editor, added to this story.)

(09/16/10) [[In-content Ad]]

---