As the fiscal year comes to an end, the 2013 Charity and Development Appeal is working hard to hit its $8.1 million goal by June 30.
“We are hoping to reach our goal with the last half-million dollars,” said Carrie Aranda, CDA coordinator in the Office of Stewardship. “We want organizations that depend on the CDA to receive the funding they need to do the work out in the community.”
The appeal has already reached 93.6 percent, or $7.57 million in gifts from the community. The donations go directly into programming and services to benefit the populace at large.
Parishes throughout the diocese are pushing hard the next few weeks to meet their individual goals.
Most Holy Trinity pastor Fr. Brady Williams, SOLT, not only reached, but exceeded the CDA goal established at his first parish assignment.
He previously worked with seminarians at a Colorado mission and at the University of Dallas.
“I was really excited to achieve it, but to go over is really a blessing,” Fr. Williams said. “The parish sees it as something very important, and this was a tremendous achievement. My only hope is in the future, a greater percentage participates. The goal is to have everyone on board and contribute something.”
Last year’s CDA supporters represented 24.4 percent participation, which represented 35,295 gifts across the diocese.
For more than four decades, the faithful have responded to the needs of others through the annual diocesan appeal by supporting more than 70 spiritual, charitable and educational organizations.
These organizations, which strengthen families, promote life, affirm vocations and assist in a crisis, are located throughout four Arizona counties within the diocese — Mohave, Maricopa, Coconino and Yavapai.
Themed, “One Family in Christ,” CDA funding extends service and assistance beyond parish borders and into the larger community, thus allowing more help to people in need.
The “Year of Faith” declared by Pope Benedict XVI, provides a wonderful opportunity of renewal and celebration as a disciple of Christ — a sacred invitation to the call of stewardship to develop and share our gifts.
Fr. Greg Schlarb, vicar of stewardship and pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Scottsdale, said Catholics have been called to participate “through intensified witness of charity.”
“The CDA provides an opportunity to put our faith into action and provide help to more than 70 agencies and ministries next year,” he said.
Fr. Fred LeClaire, pastor of St. Catherine Laboure in Chino Valley, said the parish reached its goal in support of the CDA.
“The generous response from the parishioners was a gift from God,” Fr. LeClaire said. “I explained the importance of what CDA does, and asked them to look into their hearts. I also emphasized the need for prayer, and asked them to please pray for the success of the CDA.”
‘Celebrate Your Faith’
The Charity and Development Appeal raised more than $8.1 million last year to support education and evangelization efforts.
Faith is nurtured and developed from birth through adulthood. Opportunities to live and grow our Catholic faith are available through our schools, parishes, religious education programs, Kino Institute as well as other opportunities offered throughout the Diocese. The CDA also supports the education and formation of seminarians, priests and deacons.
To give or learn more about the CDA, contact (602) 354-2218, lbarkyoumb@diocesephoenix.org or visit:
