PROVIDENCE – Despite a lagging economy, a record number of donors gave a record amount of money to the 2007 Catholic Charity Fund Appeal, which has drawn to a close.
The appeal raised $7,865,066, surpassing the campaign’s goal of $7,850,000 by $15,066.
“We haven’t had an increase like this since 1998, when the economy was riding high,” said Anthony T. Gwiazdowski, Diocesan director of the Office of Stewardship and Development.
An increase of 1,400 donors “stopped a six year slide of losing donors,” he said.
The 2007 goal represented a 10 percent increase above the amount raised last year.
“The appeal is going to go down as the one where we turned the corner, not only in terms of donations made, but also in the number of donors who are beginning to understand how really important the appeal is in changing the lives in the community,” Gwiazdowski emphasized.
A new record was also set when three parishes raised more than $200,000: Christ the King Parish, Kingston, $229,470; St. Luke Parish, Barrington, $210,453; and St. Augustine, Providence, $203,824.
“This is a remarkable achievement,” Gwiazdowski said of the three parishes.
In addition, 83 parishes surpassed their 2007 goal. While 35 others that did not achieve their target, they nonetheless surpassed the amount of money they raised in 2006.
For the first time, this year’s appeal also included performance goals based on achieving or surpassing the dollar amount a parish raised in 2006, as well as the number of donors.
“There are a lot of goals that went up significantly,” Gwiazdowski said. “Performance-based goals are the way to go. It’s a step in the right direction.”
This year’s appeal included several changes, including a direct mailing to all previous donors and registered parishioners in all parishes. A “parish share” program was also piloted in 40 churches, in which all funds raised above the set goal are returned to the parish.
“We have a lot of analysis to do with this program, Gwiazowski said, noting that 75 percent of the parishes that participated in the new program met their goal.
Another change implemented this year was the development of impact statements by ministry secretaries and included in all mailings.
“We stopped talking need and talked about what the agency does,” Gwiazdowski said.”We wanted the donor to see how their contribution changes lives. People do make a difference. They give out of a sense of gratitude. We are all the church, and when we act as a community, we really can make a difference.”
The most significant increases were in the Bishop’s Partnership in Charity program, to which donors are invited to contribute $1,000 or more to the appeal. A total of 2,753 charity partners contributed $2,842,000. This represents an increase of 619 donors and $559,000 of the total $764,000 increase raised this year.
Gwiazdowski praised the efforts of appeal Chairs Michael and Joanne Speroni Woody, members of St. John Vianney Parish, Cumberland, and Vice-chairs Bruce and Ann Morris of St. Luke Parish, Barrington.
“All of them did a great job,” he said, “They worked tirelessly to make sure we met our goal.”
“Throughout the campaign, I thought about the miracle of the loaves and fishes, said Michael Woody. “That day, people came forward and offered what they had. Our Lord multiplied it so that the entire crowd was fed. Today, many people don’t believe that the miracle of loaves and fishes could happen. I think we witnessed that it can.”
“The theme for this year’s campaign just resonated as we entered the final week,” said Joanne Speroni-Woody. “So many people worked so hard to make this success happen. We especially thank Catholics across the state for their personal generosity and we thank God for watching over and guiding our efforts. We are thrilled that our collective success ensures that so many Rhode Island families will continue to benefit from the good work of our Diocesan ministries. It is wonderful to conclude this campaign on such a high note.”
Father Michael J. Leckie, pastor of St. Joseph Church, Hope Valley, attributed his parish’s success to the generosity of its parishioners in raising $47,188 – 115.11 percent of its $40,993 goal.
“They realize that their contribution goes directly to help the neediest of our state on the grass roots level,”?Fr. Leckie said. “They are thankful for the many blessings our Father has given us, and they express that thanks in their overwhelming response.”
Father Gerald G. Harbour, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church, Pawtucket, said that in the past, many of the immigrant parishioners of the inner-city church did not understand the reason for the appeal. He added that because of cultural differences and a bias against making payments or using credit cards, many parishioners were leery.
This year, two lay witnesses offered testimonies about the universality of the church and how diocesan ministries affect lives, while Fr. Harbour offered examples of how the appeal funded his work as a prison chaplain and in hospital ministry.
“We went from nine pledges in the Hispanic community to 89 in one year,” he said.
Gwiazdowski credited Bishop Thomas J. Tobin for playing a key role, often speaking at functions and working behind the scenes writing letters and making telephone calls to potential donors.
“Bishop Tobin has taken a very intimate interest in the success of the appeal,” Gwiazdowski noted. “He’s been very supportive and has been a great cheerleader. The bishop and my staff were always very optimistic that we would reach the goal. In January, I would have probably said ‘no.’ I was very happy to be wrong.”
Gwiazdowski also thanked pastors, and parish staffs and appeal coordinators.
“In a year of significant change, they stepped up to the plate in a big way,” he said. “Each parish needs to be proud of the effort they put forward.”
