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diocesan appeal begins March 7 with a $1.75 million goal

     The Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal is an annual call for contributions from faithful Catholics to support our local ministries and agencies that provide parish support, educational support and address social concerns in the Diocese of Belleville. Commitment weekend will be March 7-8, 2009.

Recently, the Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal was incorporated as a 501c 3 and is governed by a Board of Directors. The role of the Board and the Agency Allocation and Accountability Committee is to make ministry and agency funding recommendations to the Diocesan Finance Council. The Allocation and Accountability Committee bases its allocation recommendations on an analytical decision making process and a variety of documentations submitted by every ministry/agency requesting CSMA funding. The Agency Allocation and Accountability Committee also publishes a semi-annual and year-end report on the amount of money collected through the CSMA, how the funding was distributed to the various ministries and agencies and how the funds were used by the recipients.
The theme of this year’s appeal comes from St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, “The love of Christ urges us on.” This is a particularly fitting theme this year, given the financially troubling times for our country.

Many of our neighbors are facing severe hardships and some who were once able to contribute to the Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal are now looking to us for help. The comfort of a warm home, the nourishment of a hot meal and assistance for purchasing prescription medications are just some of the services made possible through the Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal. Now, more than ever, the love of Jesus Christ urges us on to help people who are broken and hurting. The leadership of the ministries and agencies is asking for your generous response this year, and, if your circumstances permit, to increase your level of support. The goal for this year’s appeal is $1.75 million dollars.

Last fiscal year, July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008, a total of $1,741,940 was donated to the Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal and was distributed to the following organizations: Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois, Catholic Urban Programs, Daystar Community Program, Diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, Hispanic Ministry in Cobden, Prison Ministry, Griffin Center, Office of Planned Giving, CSMA Fund for Ministry, Office of Ecumenical & Interreligious Affairs, Office of Youth Ministry, Office of Worship, Ministry to Sick & Aged; Grants & Communications, Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, Office of Education, Althoff Catholic High School, Gibault Catholic High School, Mater Dei Catholic High School, Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School and the Newman Catholic Student Center.

The expenses for the 2007-08 appeal were 13 percent, meaning 87 cents of every dollar was used for the services that benefited our sisters and brothers in the Diocese of Belleville.

All gifts to the Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal are tax deductible and the opportunity to contribute in honor or in memory of a loved one is available.

If you have any questions regarding the Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal, please contact the Office of Stewardship at 277-8181.