By CECILE SAN AGUSTIN
Reporter
CLIFTON - "Now More Than Ever" the people need help and the faithful of the Paterson Diocese have responded. As the nation and state continue to try and recover from difficult economic times, people still found a way to dig deep in their hearts and support the 2009 Bishop's Annual Appeal to help diocesan Catholic Charities, seminarian education, needy diocesan elementary schools and retired priests. Some 20,570 donors pledged a record $3,420,293 to benefit these many ministries of the Paterson Diocese. The 2009 goal was set at $2.885 million.
Bishop Serratelli thanked donors, saying, "I express my gratitude to the thousands upon thousands of parishioners of this great Diocese of Paterson who made a sacrificial financial commitment to support the work of our Annual Appeal. During these especially difficult economic times, so many parishioners were motivated by the Gospel imperative to take care of those in need. Their outpouring of generosity is a great blessing to our Catholic Charities agencies that serve so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ, to our inner-city schools and to our retired priests and our seminarians."
The Bishop's Annual Appeal kicked off in early September with its aim to support the sick, the poor and the disabled, assist retired priests living at Nazareth Village who have served the diocese for many years, invest in the diocese's future by supporting seminarians and educate children served by diocesan schools.
In response to the Appeal, Tim Potter, diocesan director of development, said, "Considering the economic realities that many face, it was very encouraging that the amount pledged to the 2009 Appeal exceeded last year's record amount, even by small margin. It is a great testament to the generous spirit of our parishioners who gave to the Appeal, even though they themselves might have been impacted financially over these last two years. They understood that the desperate conditions of others called out for help and responded in kind. It is a great example of stewardship in action."
The Appeal's success relies greatly on the support of pastors and priests throughout the diocese. To thank his brother priests, Father Robert Wisniefski, chairman for the Appeal and pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Paterson, said, "It is an honor to serve as chairman for the Bishop's Annual Appeal because of the great support from many of my brother priests. I thank them for helping promote the Appeal each year. As pastors, they serve an important role in encouraging their parishioners to see the critical needs met by their support of the Bishop's Annual Appeal."
Support from the lay appeal chairpersons serving individually at their parishes also helped make the Appeal a success. Potter said, "I am grateful to the pastors and lay appeal chairpeople who promoted the Appeal so effectively this year. They are to be commended for bringing the needs of the Appeal to life and for encouraging participation in their parishes."
At two parishes - St. Thomas Parish, Ogdensburg and Our Lady Queen of Peace, Branchville - including the Appeal in its "envelope system" has contributed greatly to the faithful giving to the Appeal.
Father John Pilipie, pastor of St. Thomas, said, "They know that the Bishop's Annual Appeal is for a very good cause and many of them have expressed that to me. We have found with the Appeal when Pledge Commitment Weekend comes, the faithful are already given envelopes to the Appeal and it truly inspires them to give to it."
St. Thomas Parish had a goal $15,675 and the parish pledged $25,639.
Msgr. William Stober, pastor of the Branchville parish where parishioners pledged $22,717 (almost $5,000 more than its goal), said, "Every year the parishioners have been very generous in giving to the Appeal. During the Appeal campaign twice a month, the people respond continuously to it. They are very much behind the Appeal, whether it's for the retirement home for priests or seminarian education."
Because diocesan Catholic Charities receives more than 40 percent of Appeal funds, the agencies had several volunteer representatives speak at parishes on behalf of the Appeal to further inform parishioners where their donations are going. Speakers were available for liturgies in English and Spanish to discuss the services provided by Catholic Charities such as: day care and extended day care, transportation services for the disabled, family counseling, emergency food bank, adult day care, AIDS ministry, group homes for adults with disabilities, after school and summer programs, runaway shelters, clothing pantries, substance abuse counseling and home repairs for seniors.
At Our Lady Queen of Peace in West Milford, knowing about the work of diocesan Catholic Charities has been a contributing factor to the people's response to the Appeal. The parish's goal was set at $23,100 and the parish raised more than $11,000 over its goal.
Kerry Plohoy, lay appeal chairperson at the West Milford parish, said, "The people at Queen of Peace are extremely receptive to just about everything especially when it comes to giving. They understand that poverty exists right in our own backyard. People do love to help. If you give them the potential to help, they will rise to the occasion."
The West Milford parish also feels a personal connection to giving to the Appeal. Several newly ordained priests have served their parish such as Father Enrique Corona, parochial vicar of Holy Rosary Parish in Dover, and Father Vidal Gonzales, parochial vicar of St. Anthony Parish in Passaic.
"We've been lucky to have a seminarian in residence at Queen of Peace for several years," said Father Fred Walters, pastor. "They always served the parish greatly in their time here and parishioners have taken a vested interest in the Appeal to be part of the education for seminarians."
Because more than 70 parishes pledged more than their goal, they will each be receiving a rebate to be used for parish needs.
Father Pilipie said, "I am grateful for the parishioners and their generosity. The rebate we get helps pay the stipend for our religious education director, Salesian Sister Margaret Wilhelm."
To make the Appeal a success, the diocesan development office offered many options for parishioners to give such as online giving and the opportunity to make a credit card contribution.
These options to give are still available and Potter said, "Anyone wishing to join the 2009 Appeal's success can still make a contribution. We are so grateful for whatever any parishioners can do to help these important ministries and programs."
To those who gave to the Appeal, the bishop said, "It is my hope that each parishioner who makes a pledge to the Bishop's Annual Appeal understands the profound impact their participation has on the lives of others."
[For more information, visit www.patersondiocese.org and click on "Bishop's Annual Appeal" or contact the diocesan development office at
(973) 777-8818, ext. 215 or 218.]
