Weekly HOMILY for February 15, 2009: Archbishop's Annual Appeal / Commitment Weekend

6th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Our Lady of Grace
February15, 2009

Archbishop’s Annual Appeal / Commitment Weekend
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato


Introduction to Archbishop O’Brien’s Talk

Last weekend, at all Masses, we introduced the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.

As we said, the Appeal supports programs, services, and ministries that are offered on the Archdiocesan level. It calls us to look beyond the boundaries of our parish and to work together as an Archdiocesan Church.

Archbishop O’Brien wants the opportunity to speak with everyone around the Archdiocese. So today, we have a homily from him via a CD and we will now listen to that.

(Play the CD)

In-Pew Commitment

As Archbishop O’Brien just said, today we are asked to consider a commitment to this Annual Appeal and I am here to guide us through that with the help of Dee O’Donnell / Paul Ceribelli of our Appeal Committee.

Before beginning this, I want to review the question of how much should we consider contributing to the Appeal. As we said last week, our parish committee is recommending that we give an amount equal to 10% of what we give each year to the parish.

So, if we give $1000 a year to the parish in the offertory, the recommendation is to give $100 to the Appeal. We say this knowing that some of us, especially this year, cannot do this 10% and that is fine.

Some of us can do more than that. Our Catholic Marriage Encounter program has a practice of asking couples who do the Encounter weekend to give more than the actual cost if they can, as a way to provide a kind of scholarship for couples who cannot afford to pay the full cost.

Perhaps that spirit may apply here as well.

Tactics

With those thoughts, I would now ask one person from each household to look at the Appeal envelope that is in the pew (that was distributed to you when you entered).

Please take this even if you have already given to this year’s Appeal. If you do not have an envelope, please just raise your hand and Dee/Paul or one of the ushers will get one to you.

Again, we are asking one person from every household to complete this. You can indicate that you have already given, that you are making a commitment today, that you are making a pledge, or that you are unable to give this year.

Now, please open the flap of the envelope and find a pledge form and a pencil. (Pause until about half the people are looking up to you.)

Please print your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address on the first five lines of the form. (Pause until about half the people are looking up to you.)

On the next line, please write Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton. If you are a visitor from another parish, please write the name of your home parish. (Pause until about half the people are looking up to you.)

If you have already given by mail, check the box that says “I have already given to the Annual Appeal through the mail.” Please do not indicate any additional financial information on this form. We do not want to double count your pledge.

I ask everyone else to look at the gift boxes on the right side of the form and check the amount that you wish to enter. You can make your gift as a pledge and be billed over ten months or longer if necessary. Also, there is no need to provide a down payment today unless you choose to do so.

If you want to contribute an amount other than the ones indicated, please check the “Other” box and indicate the full amount of your pledge on the blank line to the right. (Pause until about half the people are looking at you.)

Now, please look at the lines provided on the lower right-hand side of the pledge envelope. Indicate the total amount that you pledged on the first line. If you are making a down payment, write the amount of the down payment on the line that says Amount Enclosed. (Pause 5 seconds.)

Subtract the down payment from the full amount of your pledge and note the remaining “Pledge balance” on the line provided. (Pause 5 seconds.)

If you are not contributing, please check the box on the lower left side of the envelope, stating “I do not wish to make a gift to the Annual Appeal at this time.” (Pause 5 seconds.)

I will give another moment right now to complete credit card information, if you wish to use your credit card. Please note that you can use a box below the credit card information that will tell the Archdiocese to bill you in ten monthly installments or to process the full amount in a single payment. (Pause 25 seconds with music.)

Wrap Up

Please seal the envelope and be sure to keep the pencil separate.

Please mark the outside of the envelope if you have enclosed a check, cash, or credit card information. Mark the appropriate box in the lower right corner of the envelope cover.

If you have given through the mail, made a pledge without a payment, or decided not to give this year, please check “No payment enclosed/Other.”

Finally, please place these envelopes and the pencils in the basket that the ushers are passing around.

On behalf of Archbishop O’Brien, I thank you for your contribution to this Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.