By Dc. Tom Cuskey, editor
“This is to show people the impact that together we made,” Beth Hoey said of the Hope Appeal Impact Report, available starting this weekend throughout the diocese. Hoey is executive director of the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse and of the diocesan HOPE Appeal campaign.
The report is an annual summary of the generosity and support the faithful give to sustain the mission of diocesan ministries.
She took time to detail the numbers: More than 16,500 people contributed to the 2023 campaign. $4.8 million was contributed to underwrite the 26 ministerial offices that make up the ongoing diocesan effort. The ministries fall into three categories: advancing social justice, cultivating Catholic leadership and empowering parish communities. Hoey says the ministries touch people across the social spectrum, meeting people where they are.
“In these 26 ministries are some of the core ministries that educate our young through catechesis,” Hoey said, “meeting people where they are from the young to the young adults to people going through marriage prep, through senior services, and so on.”
Hoey added that a person’s gift to Hope Appeal puts them in spiritual touch with many they may know as well as the ‘invisible’ people living on the margins.
“We have literally helped thousands and thousands of people,” she said, “people we know of — our neighbors, our community — and people you will never know.”
The message of the Hope Appeal is the message of the Gospel.
“What I believe to be true, and is confirmed year after year, is that people are good. And each one of us is called to serve one another. We feel it, we know it.”
“Time, talent, treasure” is the mantra of service: time for prayer, talent in volunteering, and treasure, be it a reflection of the few coins the widow gives in the temple (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4) or a more significant gift for those who are able.
Parishes can win twice
One of the three major ministerial areas mentioned above – empowering parish communities – focuses on ministerial and spiritual support for parishes who also benefit greatly from social justice and leadership efforts as well. But for parishes who exceed their Hope Appeal goal, an influx of funds to underwrite their own programs is theirs; 100% of the parish goal overage is returned to them through parish sharing.
“It’s a big number they’re sharing,” Hoey said, speaking of this year’s total of checks going out to parishes. “Over $730,000 went back to parishes.” Hoey pointed out that for many parishes, the Hope Appeal can be the catalyst for a parish’s own fundraising campaign, especially for those who don’t have the resources or manpower to stage smaller fundraisers during the year.
“This is money that we can use for the year for our parish” she added. “I think it’s wonderful … I think it’s really important. And Bishop feels very strongly about all overages going back to the parishes.”
Hope Appeal Impact Reports are in the mail to donors and a briefer bulletin insert or handout will be available in parishes for general distribution starting this weekend. The Impact Report is also available online at https://syracusediocese.org/hopeappeal.
