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Annual CSA Campaign Begins

April 29, 2008

"As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace." (Peter 4:10)

The weekend of Saturday May 3-4, 2008 kicks off the annual Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) in the Diocese of Gaylord with a collective goal of $3,061,294 this year. CSA is a comprehensive means of providing ministries and programs for the diocesan church, as well as supporting local, national, and international charities. This marks the 37th year of CSA, as it was established in this diocese by the first Bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord Edmund Cardinal Szoka in 1971.

The theme of this year’s annual Catholic Services Appeal is “Christ Be Our Light”, and it is meant to reflect on our call to serve the Lord as he guides us in becoming stewards of his many gifts. To be a responsible steward refers to the Catholic approach to the gifts that God has bestowed upon us. Stewardship is living out a commitment to be Christ-centered with gratitude; justice and love become the fundamental motives for giving back to God. Everything that God has given to us is intended to serve the divine plan. Therefore, our life is to be lived in gratitude toward God. In a variety of ways, we as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, share our time, talent and treasure to build up the Church and make our world a better place.

The CSA is conducted annually because as a universal church there is a continuing need to fund charity work with overseas, national, and local charities, as well as programs and ministries offered by the diocesan administration. The CSA is crucial to the life of diocese, as it enables our agencies, parishes, and programs to continue their ministries in northern Michigan and beyond. It enables priests, diocesan staff, and volunteers of the diocese to serve parishioners through the different stages of life, from marriage enrichment to helping those who struggle through times of difficulty.

Most parishes in the diocese make their appeal for pledges to the CSA at Masses on the kick-off weekend, with the Sunday having come to be called “CSA Sunday”. Parishioners will be asked to pledge to help each parish meet its assigned target for the annual campaign to fund ministries and programs of the diocese. Many parishes try to exceed their target, because any money collected above its goal is returned to the parish. Rebates may be used at the pastor and finance council’s discretion to assist with various parish projects.

Pledging to the CSA is easy, and may be done with or without a down payment. In addition to cash pledges, you are also welcome to give gifts of stock to the appeal. Pledges may be made directly through your parish, as well as electronically through the diocesan web site. Simply click on the "Make a Gift" link on the left side of this page to get started. If you do choose to use the diocesan web site for your donation, please let your parish know so that they may include it the total toward their target.

Please prayerfully consider a gift to the 2008 CSA so that our church may remain vibrant in all that we have to offer. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your local parish, or Danielle Parish, Coordinator for Stewardship and Development at the diocese at (989) 732-5147.