Introducing the Bishop's Stewardship Appeal

Introducing the Bishop's Stewardship Appeal
A new twist on the diocesan development campaign ...

In this question and answer session, The Miscellany talked with Mike Gocsik, secretary of the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Mission Advancement, which oversees the Bishop's Stewardship Appeal, about the 2001 campaign:

Q: Why did the name change from the Diocesan Development Fund to the Bishop's Stewardship Appeal?

A: Since coming to the diocese in April, I have had many wonderful opportunities to meet several pastors and parishioners from across the state. In talking with these individuals, many voiced their confusion over the Diocesan Development Fund. They felt the title was confusing and did not reflect the true nature of the campaign. Originally, when the DDF began in 1962, the fund was used strictly for the construction of new churches. In recent history, the focus of the DDF has moved toward funding more ministry-related activities. After careful consultation with the clergy and Office of Stewardship and Mission Advancement, Bishop Robert J. Baker made the decision to change the name of the annual diocesan appeal to the Bishop's Stewardship Appeal. The bishop feels that this title better reflects the nature of the appeal which is to fulfill our obligation to providing financial support to the many ministries throughout the Diocese of Charleston.

Q: How does the BSA differ from DDF?

A: The BSA and DDF are quite similar in mission and focus. The BSA goes beyond the DDF by providing an opportunity to openly engage parishioners in an active dialogue regarding stewardship. The idealistic goal of the Bishop's Stewardship Appeal is to promote and advance the theology of stewardship through practical education and awareness initiatives so that all Catholics in the state of South Carolina will have the desire and opportunity to share their God-given gifts of time, talent and treasure at the parish level and beyond.

Q: How is the concept of stewardship related to fund raising?

A: First thing, contrary to popular belief, stewardship is NOT fund raising. Stewardship simply is a call for each of us as Catholics to recognize two facts: 1) All we have and all we are is a gift from God. 2) Since everything we have is a gift from God, then we have a responsibility and duty to give a portion of what we have back in gratitude for everything that we have. The BSA provides an opportunity to Catholics throughout South Carolina to share some of what they have with those that do not have as much.

Giving our money is such a small part of what God has called us to do as stewards. Ideally, God asks that we give of ourselves totally to further his message. We must dedicate our lives, every minute of every day, to building up his kingdom. If you really think about it, the sacrificial giving/tithing aspect of stewardship is by far the easiest. The challenge is living our lives as a disciple of Christ 24 hours, seven days a week; that's total stewardship and that's what God and Bishop Baker is really asking us all to journey toward. The Bishop's Stewardship Appeal is just one small dimension of that message.

Q: What will be asked of parishioners in the Bishop's Stewardship Appeal?

A:. Similar to the DDF, parishioners will be asked to commit a portion of their income to help support the Diocese of Charleston. The BSA is asking each individual to consider giving 1 percent of their household income. The Biblical reference to "tithe" means giving 10 percent of one's possessions. In the Diocese of Charleston, within that 10 percent framework, we are asking individuals to consider giving 5 percent of their income to their parish, 4 percent to charities of their choice and 1 percent to the diocese through the Bishop's Stewardship Appeal. We recognize that to some this is a radical concept. What is truly being asked of parishioners, regardless of percentages, is for them to make a commitment in thanksgiving for everything that they have.

Q: What if someone is unable to give this amount?

A: Again, we recognize that an individual's ability to give varies. Many ask me, "When you say household income do you mean gross or net?" My answer to that question and this one is that this is a commitment between you and God. No one here at the diocese knows how much you or anybody else can give. The 1 percent is just a guide. Many give far and above that amount while others do nothing at all. It's a choice we all must make on our own.

We want people to think about what they've been giving, not only financially but totally to help build up the kingdom of God. What you then decide to give should be a commitment made from the heart. I can honestly say in the case of the Bishop's Stewardship Appeal, the thought behind the gift truly means more than the actual gift itself.

Q: What are the criteria for allocating funds?

A: The Bishop's Stewardship Appeal funds are allocated by:

1) The Diocesan Budgeting Process — approximately two-thirds of the funds contributed to the Bishop's Stewardship Appeal help fund diocesan services to parishes and schools which involve: evangelization, prayer and worship, pastoral assistance, Christian formation, Catholic education, social outreach (right to life, Catholic Charities, African-American Ministries, Hispanic Ministries, Vietnamese Ministries), community building and stewardship. These funds are part of the total income stream of the diocese and departmental allocations are determined through the budgeting process. Therefore, it can be said that every parish and school received Bishop's Stewardship Appeal funding.

2) Grant requests — Approximately one-third of the funds contributed to the Bishop's Stewardship Appeal are allocated to projects and programs within the state of South Carolina which most effectively address the areas of: evangelization, prayer and worship, pastoral assistance, Christian formation, Catholic education, social outreach and stewardship. Grants are accepted from any organization within the Diocese of Charleston whose projects and programs embrace any areas of the pastoral vision ("Our Heritage—Our Hope," Bishop David B. Thompson, June 1995).

Q: How is my parish goal for the BSA determined?

A: We use the assessment base which represents assessable income from the parish. This provides a reflection of a parish's ability to give. We calculate their percent of the total assessable income. If a parish represents 2 percent of the total assessable income, then we apply this percent against the goal for the new year. The assessable base is always one year behind. We will be using the information from June 30, 2000, budget cycle applied against the new goal.

EXAMPLE: Parish-X represents 2 percent of the total assessable income for the diocese from the previous year. The goal for the 2001 Bishop's Stewardship Appeal is $2 million; therefore, Parish-X's parish goal for the Bishop's Stewardship Appeal is $40,000.

Published Feb. 1, 2001