 | Fayette partner parishes, others push appeal to $4 million
By Cheryl Collins Valyo, Special to The Catholic Accent
GREENSBURG — The 2008 Diocesan Lenten Appeal is “progressing at an outstanding pace,” according to Michael Lucotch, director of the Office for Stewardship and Development.
As of April 30, the 2008 appeal had received nearly $4 million in pledges and gifts from more than 23,000 individuals and families, with 78 parishes having met or surpassed diocesan targets, according to Lucotch.
“We sincerely thank all those who have returned their pledge cards thus far and who have worked to make this year’s appeal successful,” he said.
 | | With the appeal in its final weeks, many parishes are making reminder calls in advance of the diocesan phone-a-thon, which is scheduled to begin May 12.
People who have not yet returned their pledge cards are asked to do so in the very near future, says Lucotch, noting that returning pledge cards before the phone-a-thon saves the diocese time and money and prevents unnecessary calls. |
Among the many success stories this year are partner parishes SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Fairchance, and St. Hubert Parish, Point Marion, both of which have more than doubled their targets to support diocesan services and programs, according to Father Andrew M. Kawecki.
“We are doing very well,” said Father Kawecki, pastor of SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish and administrator of St. Hubert Parish. “At St. Hubert we have more than doubled our diocesan target (just under $6,000) and surpassed our overall parish goal. At SS. Cyril & Methodius, we passed our diocesan target of about $17,000 to raise more than $25,700 to date.”
Father Kawecki said the funds that remain in the parishes will be used to make furnace repairs at SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish and necessary repairs and improvements to a former rectory at St. Hubert Parish that is used for parish meetings.
He credited strong lay efforts to build stewardship at both parishes and said Lenten Appeal leaders follow an organized schedule of pulpit talks, letters to parishioners and follow-up calls as recommended by the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development.
“Our people are very generous,” he said. “They understand that we are all part of the diocese and the larger church.”
SS. Cyril & Methodius, St. Hubert and the other 98 parishes throughout the counties of Westmoreland, Armstrong, Fayette and Indiana are helping the diocese move closer to another successful appeal, but there is still ground to cover, according to Lucotch.
“To reach the 2007 participation level, it will take another 5,000 pledges and gifts,” he said.
Lucotch extended “deepest thanks” to all the people in the diocese, including priests, lay volunteers and parishioners “who have responded and worked hard to make this year’s Diocesan Lenten Appeal successful.” |