Priorities affect economy, CSA, fundraising in general By George Roman
In light of the economy today the Catholic Service Appeal (CSA) and fund- raising in general focus our minds on priorities. Like much of the U.S. population and in comparison to the many parts of the world, Catholics have a sizeable amount of disposable income at their discretion.
Because recession may be knocking at our door, many people will wake up and review their spending of discretionary income. In mid-April when CSA materials arrive in the mailbox our minds will begin sifting through our priorities.
Outside the realm of faith, giving is a spiritual decision involving the clarification of wants and needs. But for me as director of stewardship development, giving to the church is a faith decision. Faith- based giving sees the totality of reality in the light of unconditional love.
That being the case, I am inclined to prioritize the spending of my disposable income on Gospel valued causes. Jesus went about healing the sick (Catholic Charities), preaching and sanctifying (priesthood, seminarian education), bringing sight to the blind (evangelization, campus ministry, mission parishes and schools). The CSA supports the work of Christ in our diocese and therefore it is a priority for me.
There’s also an addendum to the subject of the economy, the CSA and giving to charity. People are generous givers to their parish, the Catholic Service Appeal, Catholic Charities and other charities and do so willingly and with great faith but donors also want to know if their money will be used efficiently and effectively.
As far as the CSA is concerned, all the causes supported are necessary for our parishes and the people served e.g., our 27 mission parishes need this appeal for their very survival. Who can doubt our priests need a just retirement after lifelong service to us? Every cause in the appeal can use more than we presently can give.
The past 15 appeals have been successful because Catholics have prioritized their giving based on faith. Giving to the appeals was always generous even through the early ‘90s recession, the disaster of 9-11, a clergy scandal and the devastation of Katrina and Rita.
Will the present economic downturn have an effect on giving? I believe giving will continue to be amazingly strong. Why? For one thing we are a people of faith. And second, God abundantly granted the priority need we are all earnestly prayed for — an increase in seminarians studying to be priests to serve us and our children.
This abundant blessing challenges every Catholic. We must educate 11 and possibly 14 seminarians this fall. The opportunity is here in this CSA to step up and prioritize our discretionary income so as to live out our 2008 appeal theme “Care to Share.”
Catholic Service Appeal, Catholic Charities and other charities and do so willingly and with great faith but donors also want to know if their money will be used efficiently and effectively. 