Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal Close to $20 Million Goal

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When giving comes from a spiritual place, it makes all the difference. That is what Cardinal Dolan said to those gathered at the Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.

Some 250 people attended the dinner held June 19 in Cardinal Spellman Hall at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie.

Channon Lucas, director of the appeal office and a vice chancellor of the archdiocese, said, “We are just under goal. We raised 19.6 million and I am certain we are on target to reach and exceed the goal.” The Appeal’s goal this year is $20 million.

The money raised by the Appeal supports ministries of the archdiocese including needy parishes and schools, preparing the clergy, spiritual and academic formation, retired priests and religious, and works of charity, among others.

“I feel that we were extraordinarily blessed this year by the generosity of the people of the Archdiocese of New York, and not only are we on target to reach the goal, we are ahead of where we were this time last year,” Ms. Lucas told CNY.

“$20 million is not an easy task, but it’s made so much easier when you have a system in place to support and reach that goal,” she explained. That system includes the support of pastors, religious, lay staff, volunteers and parishioners at the 368 parishes of the archdiocese. Ms. Lucas announced that 167 parishes have already exceeded their goal.

The evening’s program included a report of pledges tallied in the parishes of the archdiocese, as reported to the cardinal by county representatives.

The 13 parishes in Sullivan County raised $178,304; Ulster County’s 21 parishes raised $484,787; 27 parishes in Orange County raised 1,107,809; the 18 parishes in Rockland County raised $1,188,065.

The 23 parishes in Dutchess County raised $1,381,359, with the 61 parishes in the Bronx totaling $1,990,275. Staten Island reported a total of $2,330,924 from its 33 parishes; the 83 parishes in Manhattan raised $4,101,341; and the counties of Westchester and Putnam raised $6,151,805 from their 85 parishes.

In introducing Cardinal Dolan, Ms. Lucas noted that the night marked the 38th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, an acknowledgement met with great applause.

Cardinal Dolan thanked those present—all of them have been active in their parish’s efforts to reach appeal goals—saying, “We especially do it for Jesus and his Church, and that’s our principal goal.”

“You all do it for your parishes,” he told volunteers, before adding that there is a larger picture.

“We believe with all our heart and soul that Jesus is alive in our Church,” the cardinal said. “That’s what makes this all worthwhile.”

With great admiration, he said, “What a sign of trust and confidence in Jesus and his Church.”

At the dinner seven volunteers who went above and beyond were inducted into the Cardinal’s Appeal Hall of Fame. Those honored were: Catrina Dabroski, Our Lady of Fatima, Plattekill; Carmen Lozada, St. Martin of Tours, the Bronx; Paul Brezovsky and Brien McMahon, Our Lady of Mercy, Port Chester; and Robert Dagnino, Eileen Garvey and Christina Grizzaffi, Holy Spirit, Cortlandt Manor.

Pastors were also recognized for their parish’s exceptional works in supporting the Appeal. They are: Father Ricardo Fajardo, Holy Spirit, the Bronx; Father Jacek Nowak, S.CH., St. Joseph’s, Poughkeepsie; Father Cosme Fernandes, St. Martin of Tours, the Bronx; Father Jacob Thumma, St. Sylvester’s, Staten Island; Father Peter Meehan, Our Lady of the Rosary, Manhattan; Father Charles O’Connor, O.F.M., Holy Cross, Callicoon; Father Cyprian Onyeihe, Nativity of Our Blessed Lady, the Bronx; and Msgr. Patrick McNamara, St. Gabriel’s, New Rochelle.

Father Joseph Dietz, pastor of The Magdalene parish, Pocantico Hills, said, “In terms of the many works of the archdiocese, it has to be supported. I’ve always felt the archdiocese can’t run itself, it needs the support of the parishes and parishioners.” He said that his parishioners have been very generous throughout his time there. He said they realize “they are part of a whole, not just a parish. We exceed our goal every year.”

Steve Zachensky Jr., of The Magdalene parish, has been volunteering for the Appeal for 14 years. “I think it’s important to be involved in the appeal because the money raised funds retired priests and religious, helps our schools, and a lot of other avenues, like poorer parishes.

“I’ve been in my parish for 45 years,” he said. “We’ve celebrated communions, confirmations, weddings. This is a way to give back to the parish that has give us so much as a family.”