From the Washington Examiner:
For as long as anyone can remember, St. Peter’s has done more than
its share in the annual Archdiocese of Washington “Lenten Appeal” (which
used to be known as the “Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal” until recent events
necessitated a change). The Lenten appeal is the main fundraising drive
of every Catholic diocese and is one of the principal ways any diocese
is funded each and every year. Each parish is given a financial target,
and pastors become carnival barkers for the bishop in the weeks leading
up to the Season of Lent (a task they universally hate).
According to the St. Peter’s website, the annual fundraiser
for the archdiocese met 113% of its parish giving target as recently as
2017. By 2018, the front end of the “summer of shame” when the Cardinal
Theodore McCarrick revelations came fully to light, St. Peter’s only
raised 91% of its parish target for the campaign. And in 2019, only 59%
of the fundraising goal was achieved.
To read more, go to the Washington Examiner.
Now, I do not know the exact reason for this, at this time.
The most likely reason, is that it is to help increase the amount of $$$ donated to the Annual Appeal, as the appeal was down by 30% from the target in 2019.
One possible reason is that with the McCarrick report to be "issued soon," it is a way to get ahead of the media both on a diocese and personal level.
It could be to relieve a guilty conscience.
It could be all and more.
However, the former secretary of Mr. McCarrick has spoken about how he (McCarrick) "used" people.
Interesting read.
From Msgr. Smith's Blog.
Well Folks, let the trumpets blare and the children scream in delight, as I bring you another Catholic Standard update. I do it, so that I will suffer for you, so that you don't have to, unless you want to.
- Still no mention of the Msgr. Rossi investigation
- Still no mention of the stabbing at the National Shrine
- Still no mention of how much was raised in the 2019 Annual Appeal
- Do you get the impression that there is a lot not being said these days?
- Nice articles on Coach Wootten's legacy
- Follow-up articles on Catholic Schools Week. +Gregory was everywhere visiting children, getting photo ops, etc. That must be why he hasn't mentioned the Msgr. Rossi investigation. He is sooooo busy.
- Recognizing religious priests, brothers and sisters, who celebrated 25 or more years. Congratulations.
- Articles on the deaths of two prominent Catholics: Mary Higgins Clark & Kobe Bryant. Did you know that they were Catholic?
- Two articles on President Trump speaking at the Pro-Life March. What I find interesting about this article, was the fact that there were a number of quotes by priests, who attacked/question his being pro-life. I don't remember this when were were talking about "health care for all." For example, you have protests by a couple of Franciscans, who are also protesting about climate change, immigration, etc. My question, and I don't know the answer, were these Franciscans protesting in previous years, and if yes, why are you taking away from the messaging of the day? If they weren't protesting the same way in previous years, why? In addition, there was some priest from Annapolis ranting about how Trump was not pro-life. Wonders if he said the same about Obama.
Well folks, the Annual Appeal has begun.
The Catholic Standard (Arch. of Washington Official Newspaper) in their last edition, did a HUUUGE spread on what the appeal spends their money on.
This is a HUUUGE change from when I first started to write about this in 2008 or so. Back then, it was a one page flier and no questions were asked.
I remember asking questions, sending emails, and not getting much of a response, until I started to blog about it. Then, we began to see more marketing on it. However, the marketing is basically the same, year after year.
This year (2020) the Archdiocese did not publish -- anywhere -- how successful they were in 2019. Why? Because they only reached about 70-75%% of their goal -- that is my estimation.
Considering how +Gregory talks about being open and honest, we still know nothing about the Msgr. Rossi investigation and the Archdiocese did not talk about (in any manner) the injuring of guards at the National Shrine.
In addition, although +Gregory loves to talk about Catholic Schools, he was willing to let one close and left it up to the pastor and parents of St. Bartholomew to figure it out. For shame.
And remember, +Gregory is a supporter of James Martin and loves +Bernadin.
As usual...
DON"T GIVE
Figure out a way to give directly to your parish -- and mark your donation as such:
- Pay for the sacramental wine for one or more months
- Pay for the hosts for one or more months
- Sponsor an edition of the Parish Bulletin
- Pay for the tabernacle candle
- Pay for a piece of equipment that may be neeed
- Pay for some new signage
- Purchase a couple of cases of copier/printer paper. That is something that parishes always run through.
The key is to ensure that your $$ stays in the parish and does not go directly to the Archdiocese. Make certain to indicate that the donation is for that item specifically.
