Bishop hopes giving to CSA spreads
By Fabvienen Taylor
JACKSON — Each year during the Catholic Service Appeal (CSA), George Roman, director of the Office of Stewardship, routinely updates Bishop Joseph Latino on the state of the collection/pledge campaign.
Roman provides Bishop Latino with the number of parishes participating, donors, pledge amounts, down payments on pledges, the percentage of pledge completions and other data over the course of the campaign.
During these updates, Bishop Latino does not simply eye the bottom line. He keeps his eyes pealed for a more revealing number from the CSA.
“When I look at the returns, divided into the different columns, I always look at the number of people participating, the number of donors (in comparison to previous CSAs),” said Bishop Latino.
“To me that is more important than what people are giving,” he said.
“Each year I’m trying to see if we can broaden our donors, not just for the totals to go up, but to get more people in step with what the church is supposed to be doing,” he said.
In the Diocese of Jackson the proceeds from the annual CSA funds ministries with needs too broad to be supported by an individual parish or a group of parishes.
Those ministries are Catholic Charities, priests’ retirement and clergy assistance, mission parishes and schools, education of seminarians, campus ministry and evangelization.
The collection/pledge weekend is Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3. “Imitate Christ’s Love” is the 2009 theme.
For 2008, the CSA donation/pledge was $1,201,138 from 5,753 donors. The average gift was $209.
As of Tuesday, April 14, $1,117,997 (93.1 percent of pledges) had been collected, according to Roman.
The 2008 CSA allocations were: Catholic Charities $456,281; priests’ retirement $65,000 and clergy medical $30,000; seminarian education $65,000; campus ministry $87,260; mission schools/parishes $125,000; and evangelization $145,000.
The allocation total was $973,54. In the 16 years of the CSA collections, $12,392,214 has been allocated to the five areas.
Unsurprisingly, Roman too pays close attention to the number of donors. “An increase in donors gives people a greater sense of unity in providing for the needs of the diocese.
“From a development point of view, it represents the great spirit and sense of stewardship people have for the diocese’s obligations and responsibilities.”
“In addition, it motivates others to give,” Roman said. “When I see the faithful of the church being active in giving, it makes me want to be more active in my giving.”
In the current economic downturn, Bishop Latino said he knows many people have been negatively affected.
“Although we know we are going through some tough financial times, the appeal is something we still have to promote because of its purpose and what it accomplishes in the diocese,” he said.
Bishop Latino said the major portion of funds from the CSA goes to operate Catholic Charities.
“Next, we have the support of the retired and infirmed priests; it is costing $25,000 to $35,000 each year to educate our seminarians; and we give to the little places, the churches and missions, that can’t exist without our assistance.”
This year’s theme, “Imitate Christ’s Love,” is not just for good times, he said.
“When Christ began his public ministry, he invited people to follow him, he was constantly telling them to do as he did.
“He not only washed the feet of his apostles, he cured the sick, gave sight to the blind, had compassion for the widow whose son was being buried, he fed thousands.
“So all the things he was doing, we as a faith people, a people who call ourselves Catholic Christians, are called to do. We are called to imitate Christ.
“And we are called to imitate Christ in the good times and in the difficult times. In the fun times and in the bad times. There was never a time when Christ was not doing for those less fortunate,” Bishop Latino said.
Bishop Latino is hoping the 2009 CSA will bring in more donors.
“I’m delighted to see how over the years we have gone beyond a million dollars in pledges and that 95 percent of those pledging fulfill them, which is very good.
“But I’m more interested in seeing how well we can broaden the participation and get more people to be committed to doing the work of the church,” he said.
Roman acknowledged the financial downturn might mean losing some regular donors.
“But I hope we gain new donors and an increase in overall participation. Every dollar is going to count in this appeal. My wish is no matter how small you feel your gift is, it is going to be very important and valuable in helping the diocese meet its obligations and responsibilities in 2009,” he said.
Crises like 9/11 and the current financial recession have taught him important lessons, Roman said.
“In September 2001 people had already made their pledges when 9/11 happened and the stock market went down. People were afraid. But their generosity continued and the 2001 collection was only slightly down.
“The next year, 2002, there were 10 percent fewer donors, but they increased the amount they gave,” he said.
“I believe those less negatively affected by the stock market will step forward to fill in any losses, as they have in the past,” Roman said.
