In a year that many hoped would bring an end to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 continued to bring many challenges for the Diocese, its parishes and Catholic schools, and our communities. However, it also saw a renewed commitment to faith and to our Diocesan family coming together to support the ministries and programs through the Diocesan Annual Campaign. The support was so overwhelming that not only was the campaign goal reached, it was surpassed.
“The goal for the 2021 DAC was $7,386,514. When the campaign year ended, we had gifts totaling $7,702,082.32 (as of February 3, 2022),” said Kim Roche, Director of the Office of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese. “Knowing that COVID continued to impact our families in 2021, and with the past several years of challenges that we have faced, to see a result like this is incredibly positive news for our Diocese.”
“The last several years have presented historic challenges for our Diocese, but our faith has remained strong. It is only because of your support that we have maintained, and in some cases grown, our more than 90 ministries and programs,” said Most Reverend Ronald Gainer, Bishop of Harrisburg. “Even with the uncertainty we have faced during the bankruptcy process, and the COVID-19 pandemic, your daily prayers, and gifts of time, talent and treasure, are priceless. Thank you for responding to the calls from your parish and the Diocese as we continue to navigate uncertain waters, while always placing our trust in our Lord and Savior.”
According to the DAC guidelines, once a parish has met their goal, any additional gifts are returned to the parish for their use in meeting their mission and ministry goals.
The Diocesan Annual Campaign provides the vast majority of the financial resources needed to operate the Diocesan ministries and programs. The DAC partners with our parishes and the faithful, working together to strengthen the ministries and outreach, and further the mission of Jesus Christ in our Diocese.
In 2021, the DAC supported many ministries and programs, including:
- Vocations support for 19 seminarians studying to be our future priests, and the formation of 22 men discerning a call to the permanent diaconate.
- Continuing formation programs for our clergy and religious.
- Extensive Youth Protection program, including training more than 11,900 clergy, seminarians, staff, teachers, administrators and volunteers on how to keep children safe.
- A multitude of evangelization related programs, including Campus Ministry, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Family and Respect Life ministries, Religious Education programs, ministry with persons with disabilities, evangelization support for parishes, and many other faith enrichment programs, reaching thousands of people in 2021.
- Communications support to offer virtual conferences, live-streamed Diocesan Masses and support to parishes with their live streaming needs, and developing videos and radio programs reaching more than 111,500 people.
- Catholic education of approximately 10,000 students in 35 Diocesan Catholic schools.
- Support for the vital work of Catholic Charities in the Diocese, enabling them to support individuals and families in need through a variety of programs.
“We faced a lot of challenges in 2021 and the requests for support from our programs and ministries has continued to increase. The Diocese would not have been able to continue, expand and create new programs without the support from our many generous donors,” said Roche. “I hope everyone will take a few minutes to review our 2021 Impact Report, which details the programs DAC gifts support.”
As the 2021 campaign closed on January 31, the 2022 campaign – One Faith, One Family – launched on February 1.
“As we live lives committed to God, He invites us to participate in the Mass, use our gifts and talents accordingly and to spread the Good News of the Gospel. I invite you to participate in the mission of the Church by supporting the 2022 Diocesan Annual Campaign,” said Bishop Gainer. This campaign directly supports the ministries and programs that provide services to those in need, spiritual growth and education for our ordained men and religious women, and a Catholic educational foundation for our youth and adults. Without support from the faithful, we could not advance the Church in the Diocese of Harrisburg. By supporting the work of these important ministries and programs, you are answering the call and putting your faith in action. I ask you to prayerfully consider making a gift to the 2022 Diocesan Annual Campaign – One Faith, One Family.”
The goal of the 2022 campaign is $7,230,665. This goal is a slight decrease from 2021 and it is calculated, in part, based on parish income and number of families. The DAC funds support a multitude of programs and ministries throughout the Diocese, including outreach through Catholic Charities programs, support for individual parishes, and the myriad of ministries that serve individuals, couples, youth and families.
“In addition to supporting a number of programs and ministries offered directly from the Diocese, the DAC also provides support directly for our parishes and Catholic schools. This support, which could be in the form of ministry related materials, resources or entire programs, are not something individual parishes could provide on their own,” said Roche. “It is our collective ability to provide these programs at the parish level that is only possible because of individual donors. While these programs are overseen by the Diocese, they are implemented at the parish level but funded by the faithful, one gift at a time.”
The annual Impact Report for the Diocese, detailing the programs and services supported in 2021, along with additional supporting materials and a video message from Bishop Gainer, can be found on the DAC website, www.hbgdiocese.org/dac.
“As we continue our work in listening to the faithful, especially during the current Synod process, I am grateful for your loyal and steadfast support of the Diocese. Knowing that donors like you have responded to the invitation to give and participate in the mission of our Church is gratifying,” Bishop Gainer said.
Donors who wish to make their secure gift to the 2022 DAC online may do so at www.hbgdiocese.org/dac.
Questions on the campaign should be directed to the Office of Stewardship & Development by calling 717-657-4804, ext. 336, or via e-mail at development@hbgdiocese.org.
(Photos by Chris Heisey and Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness.)
By Rachel Bryson, The Catholic Witness
