‘Be Rich in Good Works’

CLIFTON  The 2016 Bishop’s Annual Appeal (BAA) kicks-off during the weekend of Sept. 10-11, at Masses in parishes across the diocese giving the faithful the opportunity to support the work of various ministries in the Diocese.

Led by the theme, “Be Rich in Good Works” (1 Tm 6:18), the Appeal invites parishioners to help fund ministries that serve the poor, sick and needy; inner-city elementary school students; diocesan seminarians and retired priests. Last year, the 2015 Bishop’s Annual Appeal raised a record $4,116,170 and was one of the most successful years in new donor participation.

To prepare for the 2016 BAA, pastors, priests and lay appeal chairpersons came to a kick-off meeting with Bishop Serratelli Aug. 23 at the St. Pope John Paul II Center here. Through the generosity of donors, the BAA will support Catholic Charities agencies in the Diocese, inner-city area elementary school students, seminarian education and Nazareth Village, the Diocese’s residence for retired priests.

Discussing the theme of this year’s BAA, Bishop Serratelli told those gathered, “St. Paul saw a vital connection between giving and experiencing the happiness that only God can give us. This is what he says in 1 Timothy, chapter 6, from which this year’s Appeal theme has been taken. Paul is instructing us to be thoughtful, to be serious, to be fervent about giving. Our charitable giving should never be an afterthought. We always give God the first roots, never what’s left over at the end. We are to be energetic and enthusiastic for the Lord truly loves a cheerful giver.”

For the next few months, letters will be sent from the Bishop’s Office and bulletin announcements will be made for parishioners to understand more about the appeal. During weekend Masses on Oct. 15-16, the In-Pew Commitment Weekend will take place in every parish to invite parishioners to make a pledge or donation. During Masses, parishioners will learn about the Appeal and have an opportunity to be part of supporting the Appeal.

Last year, priests of the Diocese, themselves, supported the Appeal by pledging $75,000. Msgr. James Mahoney, diocesan vicar general and pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in Chatham Township, said to his brother priests during the meeting, “That’s us. That’s an incredible thing and shows you we believe in what this Appeal means.”

As he spoke to the priests and lay appeal chairpersons, Msgr. Mahoney encouraged them to follow the instructions of the Appeal given by the Development Office so the 2016 can be just as successful as last year. “For the Appeal, we have guidelines that we know work. Follow the plan that is laid out. It’s going to be very successful. Last year, the BAA was successful even after the Partners in Faith campaign. It’s a credit to each of you. This will make a difference. We know as priests, asking for money, inviting the people to give money, is uncomfortable but in fact, this is a way that people can share in the mission of the Church that takes places in our parishes and in the work of our diocese.”

Tim Potter, director of the diocesan development office, showed the results of last year’s Appeal, focusing on the In-Pew Commitment Weekend that takes place in each individual parish.

“Through your help, your encouragement, we were able to get 3,400 people sitting in these pews to say, ‘Yes, I want to be a part of this. I want to help the diocese. I want to help these ministries.’ They are responding not to a letter, not to a bulletin insert, they are responding to you,” Potter said.

During the meeting, Father Antonio Gaviria spoke about the In-Pew Commit­ment weekend at St. Jude Parish in Budd Lake, where he is pastor. “When people are happy in a parish community, they will support you anyway they can. As pastor, one of the keys is to make people happy and to be available. The In-Pew weekend is an essential part of the campaign because people pay attention and they feel compelled to give because they are completing the forms together as a group. In that way, I understood the meaning of a Christian community and the people working as a team altogether doing the same things.”

As parishioners consider making a pledge to the Appeal, it is important to know Partners in Faith serves different needs. The Partners in Faith campaign raised funds for ministries outside the diocese’s general annual operating funds and included some endowments with an eye toward future needs. The Appeal on the other hand, helps fund immediate, day-to-day operations of four important ministries and programs: Catholic Charities, seminarian education, diocesan priests’ retirement residence and inner-city area schools.

The largest percentage of the Appeal supports diocesan Catholic Charities agencies. Each year they provide help to tens of thousands of people in need. Donations support a variety of programs and services in all three counties of the Diocese. They include day care and extended day care for children of working poor families; assisted transportation for the elderly and medically frail; individual and family counseling; emergency food banks; adult day care for economically disadvantaged seniors; housing and case management for persons with HIV/ AIDS group homes for adults with disabilities; family support and case management for families with developmentally and intellectually disabled adults; substance abuse counseling; legal services for low income immigrants; programs for at-risk youth and more. Because the Appeal helps Catholic Charities immensely, there is a speakers’ network of representatives from the agencies available to talk at parishes.

In addition to these agencies, the Appeal will provide a significant portion of funding to Catholic schools and students in the inner city. Last year, many capital improvements such as roof replacement, HVAC upgrades, interior lighting and exterior doors. The Appeal also helped fund financial aid to assist families to be able to afford Catholic school education, technology upgrades to enhance the academic programs offered in the schools and to support school activities.

Also, the Appeal helps to fund education for diocesan seminarians and helps Nazareth Village, the diocesan priests’ retirement residence in Chester. This is especially important since the number of seminarians has increased dramatically in recent years, along with the cost of formation. The appeal helps both these groups of men: those who are preparing for a lifetime of service to the Church and those who have faithfully served for decades.

Similar to past Appeals, parish rebates will be given to parishes that raise more than their Appeal goal. Half the amount received over the target goal is returned to parishes for their own needs.

Parishioners are invited to visit these ministries to see firsthand where their donations are being used. Also 96 cents of every $1 raised is applied only to Appeal needs. They are used for no other purpose, and funds raised in the Paterson Diocese stay in the Paterson Diocese.

Those wishing to make a pledge can do so in three different ways: One-time gifts or pledges paid over several months with reminders; credit card contributions, or online contributions. Legacy gifts to the Appeal can also be considered in will or estate plans.

At the close of the meeting, Bishop Serratelli said, “Thank you to Tim Potter and his team at the Development Office who organize the Appeal asking our people to fulfill the needs of our Diocese. A word of gratitude to all of you especially for the days ahead in soliciting help from our people so that the charitable works of this great Diocese can continue and we can serve Christ.”

[Information: www.rcdop.org or

(973) 777-8818, ext. 215.]