The Catholic Services Appeal: Investing in Our Diocese

Last weekend we began the annual Catholic Services Appeal (CSA). The video focused heavily on our seminarians and role of the CSA in providing the funds needed to cover the cost of their education and formation. As we experience an increase in seminarians, we see this place more pressure on the Diocese’s budget. Of course it is a great problem to deal with and our parishes will ultimately be the beneficiary of more seminarians as they become priests.

But there are many other ways the CSA supports our parishes. It is to forget the business side of operating a parish. But like your household or any business, we need insurance. Liability, health, long/ short term disability, property, dental, vision, and workers compensation are the insurances we carry. The diocese employs staff who assist us in acquiring all of these different insurances and when there are issues, they assist us in navigating the very complex world of insurance. The retirement program we offer our staff and incentive programs are also guided by our Diocese. We would need to increase our parish staff if we didn’t have the support of the Diocese. 

Similarly, there are complicated legal issues we need to address. There are laws that govern the operation of a school, cemetery, hiring staff, taxes, and nonprofit organizations. (Yes, contrary to popular belief, we pay taxes. Last year we paid over $75,000 as our share in matching our employees’ FICA tax.)  These laws continue to change and be reinterpreted. Again, it would be difficult to follow changes in laws that govern our business side without diocesan staff.

All our staff and those volunteers who work with vulnerable people are background checked and receive specific training. With over fifty staff and more than a hundred volunteers, completing the background checks alone would require additional staffing if it were not for the support of our Diocese. 

As I mentioned there are also the great youth programs our Diocese has developed in recent years, Men’s and Women’s retreats, and training for Permanent Deacons, Lay Leaders of Prayer, and musicians that are also supported by our contributions to the CSA. 

Every parish in the Diocese is assessed an amount based mainly on its annual collection revenue. When we exceed this amount, the excess is returned to our parish for our own use. If we fall short, the balance must be paid from our operations. The past two years we have been blessed and have exceeded our assessment. I pray with our combined generosity we will be able to do this once again. 

Contributions to the CSA can be made directly to our parish using the envelopes provided in the pews and at the entrances of the church. Donations can also be made electronically utilizing the QR code on the envelopes, or by following the link below to the diocesan website. A more recent way many are donating is by making a donation via a retirement account, giving the mandatory minimum distribution and thus avoiding taxes. If you need assistance in donating, contact our Director of Finance, Scott Jacobi, in our parish office. 

On behalf of everyone served by your gifting to the CSA, thank you.‍

LINK TO THE DIOCESAN CSA DONATION PAGE

LINK TO DIOCESAN CSA VIDEO

‍