God’s plans don’t change.
They just become clearer over time.
“The work and mission of our Catholic community continues despite the challenges we are living through,” Bishop W. Shawn McKnight stated in a recent letter inviting parishioners to contribute to this year’s Catholic Stewardship Appeal (CSA).
“We continue to be Catholics and answer God’s call to serve one another in an ever-changing world,” he stated.
The CSA is an annual campaign encouraging Catholics to commit to supporting their parishes while making a gift or pledge to help pay for essential diocesan services in the upcoming fiscal year.
All 107 parishes and missions and their local communities benefit from these services, which include youth ministry, marriage and family life support and promotion, vocation work, ongoing formation for permanent deacons, guidance and oversight for Catholic schools, communications, advocacy in the public square, ministry to growing local communities of Hispanic Catholics, and coordination of charitable services through Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri.
A sacrificial gift to the CSA is a tangible expression and manifestation of faith, gratitude and discipleship.
The theme for this year’s appeal is a verse from the Book of Jeremiah: “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.” (29:11)
“This reminds us that regardless of the current situation, we must move forward with the path God has set forth,” Bishop McKnight stated.
The CSA is actually a partnership between parishes and Bishop McKnight and Chancery personnel to multiply the power of the Gospel in these 38 counties.
It empowers the members of each Catholic household to make a tangible return to God for all He has given while working in partnership with the entire diocese to carry out essential ministries.
The diocesan goal for the 2020-21 Catholic Stewardship Appeal (CSA) is $2,450,000 — the same as last year’s goal.
Each parish has been given a set goal, based on its ability to give. This year’s parish goals also remain the same as last year.
Once again, this year’s CSA funding formula highlights the crucial relationship among individual parishes and the diocese as a whole.
After the diocesan goal has been met, any parish meeting its individual goal is eligible to receive a rebate of 10 percent of the parish’s goal, plus 90 percent of any funds raised above that goal.
Parish goals must be met with cash and/or pledges received by March 25, 2021, and fulfilled by the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.
This is an important step in Bishop McKnight’s vision of moving toward a parish-based stewardship model for the diocese, in which parishioners commit to tithing at the parish level out of their need to give, and the parishes then tithe to support diocesan and other ministries.
More information about this year’s CSA can be found online at: diojeffcity.org.
This is part of a series of articles about the impact diocesan ministries supported by the Catholic Stewardship Appeal (CSA) have on local parishes and schools.
The Catholic schools Superintendent and staff helped all 37 Catholic grade schools and three Catholic high schools in the Jefferson City diocese carry out their mission remotely this spring and in person this fall.
Principal Kathryn Coulson of St. Brendan School in Mexico said her priorities have always been to keep students safe, help them build a loving relationship with Christ, and provide a rigorous academic program balanced with the support they need to become what God created them to be.
“These priorities have not changed, but the approaches we take as educators during this time have adjusted,” she stated. “It has taken a lot of time to consider all of the safety measures, procedures, materials, instructional resources and strategies, and communication needed for us to return to school, meet students where they are emotionally and academically, remain in school safely, and have students, faculty and parents ready for the possibility of remote learning.”
Help from the Superintendent’s office has been invaluable.
“Prompt information was given about steps to take to apply for and utilize funding, resources for purchasing, and people we could contact if additional help was needed,” said Mrs. Coulson. “Providing this information saved us precious time so we could focus on what we needed to do in a manageable way.”
Diocesan Superintendent Dr. Erin Vader repeatedly reminded the administrators, teachers and staff that they are never alone, and to stay focused on God.
“This is an opportunity for us to demonstrate to our students and families that through Christ, we can do all things,” said Mrs. Coulson. “This is a chance for us in our schools to build community and serve others, strengthen prayer life, and guide students into deeper relationships with our Lord.”
Staying focused
While the Superintendent’s office helped navigate the frontier of educating during a pandemic, the Finance staff worked overtime to help each school apply for emergency assistance under the federal Paycheck Protection Program.
“Dr. Vader has been a blessing to all Catholic schools this year,” said Gayle Trachsel, principal of St. Peter Interparish School in Jefferson City.
Having someone to discuss problems with and help generate solutions is very helpful, “especially this year,” said Mrs. Trachsel.
She noted that Dr. Vader and her administrative assistant, Paula Glynn, are always just a phone call away.
“I feel like I’m part of the school office team,” said Mrs. Trachsel. “When we are a team, and can work as a team, everyone wins.”
Principal Julie Clingman of St. Martin School in St. Martins said the School Office has been a pillar of support through these precarious times.
“Dr. Vader is willing to do what it takes to help keep our schools in session,” she said.
And her assistant, Paula Glynn, is “the most organized multi-tasker I know. She is able to keep everything moving forward, in the most chaotic moments, and she does it all with a smile in her voice,” Mrs. Clingman stated.
Principal Lisa Grellner of St. George School in Linn said Dr. Vader “has used her leadership skills to provide guidance that we all need to help the local parish school to flourish amidst the chaos.”
“This time in history has posed many challenges, as to how those resources have been distributed and used to their fullest potential,” said Mrs. Grellner. “During these uncertain times, we really must focus on how we can use these resources to really help each other.”
“We are in a position where we really have to expect the unexpected,” said Mrs. Grellner, “yet Dr. Vader has emphasized the importance of not feeling like the local Catholic school must go at it alone.”
More information about this year’s CSA can be found online at: diojeffcity.org.
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