The United Catholic Appeal: What is it, and who benefits?

By Natalie Hoefer

Across the archdiocese, Catholics give generously to their parishes throughout the year.

So when the time comes each November for the “United Catholic Appeal: Christ Our Hope,” some might question the necessity of their participation, or wonder just where the money goes, or have concerns that they and their parish will not benefit from funds donated to the United Catholic Appeal (UCA).

To address these questions, The Criterion is running a four-part series through October focusing on the goals of the appeal and how it benefits every member of the archdiocese.

This first article in the series looks at the overall picture—where the funds go and how they positively affect each and every Catholic in the archdiocese. Questions were posed to Jolinda Moore, archdiocesan director of stewardship and development, and Ron Greulich, archdiocesan director of stewardship education.
 

Q. Many people feel they already give to their parish and that such donations are sufficient. Why is it important for Catholics to give to the United Catholic Appeal as well?

Moore: “One of the best ways I heard it explained is by Bishop [Christopher J.] Coyne. He said that the UCA is like the archdiocese’s Sunday collection. It’s rare that the archdiocese has the opportunity to go out and solicit funds. As we work toward a three-fold mission, those funds are necessary to fulfill our ministry. The United Catholic Appeal is a once-a-year occurrence when we can go out and solicit for the greater Church.”

Greulich: “That three-fold mission consists of celebrating the sacraments, proclaiming the Good News through education, and exercising the ministry of charity. That comes from Pope Benedict’s first encyclical, ‘Deus Caritas Est’ (‘God is Love’).”
 

Q. Can you talk more about the three areas that benefit from the appeal?

Moore: “Proclaiming the Word of God really focuses on fostering Catholic education and faith formation—looking to our youths, and to some degree our adults and how we educate them about our faith.

“Celebrating the sacraments has to do with caring for active and retired priests, and deacon formation. For instance, we benefit from having deacons go through deacon formation and serve in our parishes.

“Exercising the ministry of charity allows us to provide and meet the most basic needs of those who are turning to us for help.”

Greulich: “We talk about ‘shared ministry.’ These are things that can’t be paid for by any one parish, but together we can cover them, like Catholic Charities, religious education and all the things Jolinda mentioned.”
 

Q. How does UCA directly benefit the everyday Catholic in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis?

Moore: “Celebrating the sacraments is a key example. One of the most important things any Catholic can do every day is participate in the celebration of the Eucharist. If we can support our active and retired clergy, as well as our seminarians who will be able to celebrate the Eucharist for us, then all Catholics can participate in the celebration every day.”

Greulich: “It’s an opportunity to support our beloved priests and pastors, past, present and to come.

“The United Catholic Appeal is also a way for all of us to show a preferential option for the poor, as Christ calls us to do, through the extensive works of Catholic Charities throughout the archdiocese, and other food banks and organizations.”
 

Q. What percent of Catholics have given in the past, and what are your hopes for this year’s campaign?

Moore: “Each year, we strive for participation to increase because we’ve not yet reached the point that even half of our parishioners are contributing. The archdiocese and the work we do is so important to many areas, that we’re hoping that everyone will prayerfully consider making a gift that fits in their personal comfort zone.

“The annual appeal is the one time each year when the archdiocese makes an active request to receive financial support. We just ask that everyone be open to that request, and to consider supporting the work that we do each day throughout central and southern Indiana.”

Greulich: “Archbishop [Joseph W.] Tobin shared with me his favorite definition of stewardship: ‘Stewardship is what I do with what I have when I believe in God.’ ”
 

Q. How urgent is the need for donations?

Greulich: “There should always be a sense of urgency in the preferential option for the poor. As Christ said, the poor will always be among us.”

Moore: “Everyone has their own personal circumstances in life, and as good stewards we’re called to give generously, whatever your definition of giving generously is.

“Support of the United Catholic Appeal in cooperation with support of individual parishes is important to the overall health of the Church in central and southern Indiana.”
 

(For more information on the United Catholic Appeal, log on to www.archindy.org/uca or call the Office of Stewardship and Development at 317-236-1425 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1425.) †