Vicariate V Hope Appeal kickoff includes Greater Utica area
By Tami S. Scott
Editor
“This is not a test,” said Beth Hoey, executive director of the Foundation of the Diocese of Syracuse, “but let me just ask you, what comes to mind when you think of stewardship?”
Approximately 65 guests who attended the Hope Appeal kickoff for Vicariate V, which covers the Greater Utica area, listened intently to Hoey’s introduction. The event was held Sept. 3 at St. John the Evangelist Church in New Hartford.
Hoey continued that while money is a part of stewardship, it’s just a small part when factored into the term’s full meaning. She then followed up with a list of three elements that define what exactly is stewardship.
“The first is that we recognize that all gifts are from God, and that each of us is a unique being made up of a special combination of gifts. And secondly, [it’s] to be grateful for those gifts. And thirdly, to use those gifts to serve others,” she said. “How beautiful is that? That’s what we’re called to do as Catholic stewards, and that’s what I get to witness every day” — through generous donors and employees dedicated to the success of diocesan ministries.
The theme of this year’s Hope Appeal campaign is “Rooted in Faith, Growing in Hope.” Focusing on the former part of the campaign title, Bishop Douglas J. Lucia remarked on the number of youth attending Mass as college students. The Newman Center at Syracuse University is expanding to accommodate the increasing number of practicing Catholics. SUNY Binghamton’s Newman Center, which they call Newman House due to its smaller size, welcomed 225 young people to the first Sunday Mass after school opened. “The chapel only holds about 175 at most,” Bishop said. He added that parishes are seeing similar growth, too.
“If we want to share our faith, we have to help hope grow,” he said. “If there’s anything needed in our world today, it’s hope. … If we look at the tree of the cross, which is the tree of life, the centerpiece is Christ. And so we as the body of Christ, the way that tree is going to grow, the way those limbs are going to grow out[ward], is through you and me.”
Bishop then spoke about the many programs and ministries the Hope Appeal supports, emphasizing the need to continue advocating for the underserved and the vulnerable. He noted that federal and state funding has been reduced or cut altogether, critically affecting clients of nonprofits such as Catholic Charities.
‘Give, and it will be given to you’
Kimberly Ullrich spoke out in support of Catholic Charities — it’s the first ministry, she said, that comes to mind when she thinks of the Hope Appeal because “I think they have the most amount of need and it’s very important.” Ullrich, who attends St. Paul’s Church in Whitesboro and St. Leo’s in Holland Patent, volunteered at the nonprofit for years when she was younger, sharing firsthand that “they really need a lot of help.”
“Give whatever you can. No amount is too small,” she added.
When asked what stood out to him about the evening’s presentation, Robert Sherman, a parishioner of St. Patrick’s – St. Anthony’s in Chadwicks, said he was moved by the hope and care that Bishop described of the people in the Diocese and “how everybody tries to act the way Jesus would act, meaning He came to earth as a servant, not to be served, and that’s our call as well. [Bishop] reemphasized all the stuff that we should be doing — reaching out to those who are oppressed, marginalized, to help those people that are less fortunate than us.”
When asked if there’s a particular ministry he prefers, Sherman said no. “I give with the idea that [the Foundation] will use the money where the biggest need is.”
“I think we have a responsibility to keep our church flourishing,” said Donna Donovan, parishioner of St. John the Evangelist, New Hartford. “ … We’re the people out there in the trenches, and so it is our responsibility to help our parishes, to help our churches, to help our young people, through education, through the sacraments.
“Give, give, give,” she continued. “Open up your hearts and open up your pockets and give whatever you can.”
