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As they suffered through a recession and endured a major diocesan consolidation of parishes, Catholics in the Albany Diocese still gave well to the 2009 Bishop's Appeal, though at a level 6 percent below last year. 

So far, Catholics in the 14 counties of the Diocese have pledged or given $6,911,165. In the 2008 drive, a total of $7,390,911 was given by the end of the drive in March of this year. The current appeal will close in March 2010. 

"If you look at what we faced going into this - the recession, Called to be Church, parish closings - then we did pretty well," said Thomas Prindle, the director of stewardship and development for the diocese. 

He said that the appeal pulled in 98 percent of its $7 million goal. 

So far, there are 32,692 gifts and pledges compared to 35,973 in 2008. The average donation rose to $212, compared to $205 last year, following a trend for the last six or so years. 

The Bishop's Appeal funds dozens of ministries and services, from Catholic Charities to faith formation, schools, the education of priests and deacons, campus ministries, counseling and outreach to minority groups.

"It's the lifeblood of the diocese," said Mr. Prindle. "The appeal keeps our services and functions going, and it translates into people being helped."

This year's drive heralded the theme of "Always God's People." A brochure profiled various beneficiaries of agencies supported by the appeal. These included a new priest, a high school teacher, a parish life director and a man who was given a home through Catholic Charities. 

The campaign also featured television ads on Time Warner Cable channels. 

The appeal mattered more this year to many agencies that lost outside funding and grants due to government, foundation and donor cutbacks prompted by the recession. 

Parish tallies
As of July 15, 150 out of the approximately 160 parishes in the Diocese reported their gifts and pledges. Parishioners' donations can still be counted toward their parish assessments, which are set by the Diocese based on various demographic and other factors and in collaboration with the parish leaders. 

Mr. Prindle said his office will follow up with letters to about 20,000 registered households that have given previously but not yet this time. 

The giving occurred against the backdrop of closings and mergers reached under the Called to be Church pastoral plan. Though the multi-year process engaged thousands of local Catholics in the decision-making, it also bruised feelings and dented the commitment of many. 

As for the decrease, Mr. Prindle said it was not the first ever, but was the first in recent years. It also mirrors the experience of other charities in the current economic climate. 

"Everyone's down," he noted.[[In-content Ad]]

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