Parish volunteers assist Bishop's Appeal
By Chris Donahue
Staff Writer
PISCATAWAY — Sue Bowers could have just written a check for the 2008 Bishop’s Annual Appeal and that would have been enough to support the diocese’s pastoral, educational and charitable ministries.
But for Bowers, volunteering as a lay committee member in her parish to make the $6.5 million campaign a success is something she felt called to as part of the church’s teaching on stewardship.
“We are here to help others. You have to look out for the children and the elderly especially, and the Bishop’s Appeal does so much for them,” said Bowers, a member of St. Andrew Parish, Avenel.
Bowers was one of the lay committee chair persons at a training session for parishioners at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center Sept. 9.
The session was one of two designed to prepare parishioners for the launch of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal Sept. 13-14. A similar session was held Sept. 11 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Whitehouse Station.
The sessions were led by Sue Mantarro, diocesan associate director of stewardship.
The theme of this year’s campaign, “Continuing the Mission of Christ,” is meant to remind the faithful that they carry forward the work of Christ himself under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Pastors received their campaign materials at a special pastors’ brief held Aug. 27 at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center.
They will speak to their parishioners about the appeal at weekend Masses Sept. 13-14.
In addition, information about the appeal is being mailed to every Catholic household in the four counties of the Diocese of Metuchen.
During weekend Masses Sept. 20-21, a letter from Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski will be read and a video which explains the goals of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal will be shown.
Special invitation
As “ambassadors” for the appeal, Mantarro said many committee members would serve as lay witnesses from the pulpit as well as in the community.
She reminded them that they should not feel reluctant to ask for donations because fundraising is “a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission.”
“As Catholics, we belong to the wider church, not just our own parish but in communion with our brothers and sisters in neighboring parishes,” Mantarro noted. “Asking people for money is giving them the opportunity to put their resources at the disposal of the kingdom.”
For parishes that want to show the appeal video but don’t have the resources or need technical assistance, the diocese can provide access to a company for help, Mantarro added.
Also, for the first time in the 21-year history of the appeal, the diocese has introduced a speaker’s bureau for parishes that are unable to show the video.
Giving back
For several lay committee members, including Bowers, volunteering is a way to live their faith, not just talk about it.
Bowers said she volunteered after her pastor, Father David B. Kosmoski, asked her to help. Although she could have declined due to a busy work schedule and family responsibilities, Bowers said supporting the appeal is a good way to stay active in her parish.
“The parish is like a family,” Bowers said. “Father David told us he can’t do it all, so I asked, ‘What can I do.’ You have to stand behind your priest.
“It is a way to give back to the church,” she added. “I became a eucharistic minister after Father Dave asked me last year. I tell Father, ‘Whatever I can do I will.’ I don’t get home from work until 6 or 6:30 [p.m.] and sometimes I am really tired, but it doesn’t matter.”
Anthony Pepe, a parishioner of St. Cecelia Parish, Iselin, said he volunteered because he enjoys participating in parish life.
Pepe said Father Jerome A. Johnson, pastor of St. Cecelia, encouraged him to get more involved. He responded by participating in ministries such as Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and serving as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist. He also joined the local council of the Knights of Columbus.
Pepe said he wants the appeal succeed because it helps keep families together through the services and programs of Catholic Charities. He is particularly concerned about senior citizens, including retired priests and religious of the diocese, and Catholic education.
“Because of everything the church gives you, you have to give back,” Pepe said. “It is practicing what you preach. It may be a cliché, but we have to help people who are in need of help. Everybody can’t sit there hoping for the next person to do something.”
Lawrence Graebener, a parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish, Middlesex, said he and his wife are very active in their parish. Serving as a committee member is another way to continue the mission of the church.
Graebener added that he is a big supporter of Catholic education because of the values it instills in children to help them face life’s challenges. Graebener said he was one of 10 children in his family who attended Catholic schools and his two children also received a Catholic education.
He also lauded the support the appeal provides to Catholic Charities and the myriad of services and programs it provides for people of all ages.
“If people had an idea of the enormity of what they do with the donations they would be amazed,” Graebener said.
