Home / News & Publications / Michigan Catholic News / 2008 / CSA: Reaching goal still leaves shortfall
CSA: Reaching goal still leaves shortfall
by Robert Delaney of The Michigan Catholic
Published August 8, 2008
Detroit — Pledges toward this year's Catholic Services Appeal exceeded this year's target by about $200,000 as of last Friday's count, but expected payouts to parishes leave the total still short of what's needed to fund archdiocesan ministries.
As of Aug. 1, $17,781,137 had been pledged, as an additional 12 parishes exceed their assigned targets. But a number of parishes use the CSA as a vehicle to fund capital campaigns or efforts to retire their debt, urging parishioners to increase their CSA pledges rather than give additional contributions directly to the parish.
There is nothing wrong with doing that – and, in fact, many parishes try to exceed their targets, even when not connected with a major fund-rising effort, because every dollar collected over the target comes back to the parish (and there is no deduction of the 6 percent cathedraticum that applies to all other contributions to a parish).
But it does mean that technically meeting the overall goal is not the same thing as actually having secured the funding for most of the ministries of the Archdiocese of Detroit – the projected budget for which is reflected by the overall goal.
With the PGA Championship in town, Thomas Scholler, interim director of development for the archdiocese, used an analogy from telecasts of golf tournaments: "When a golfer approaches the green, and leaves himself a somewhat long putt, the commentator will say, 'He still has some work to do.'"
While Scholler said his department had not yet figured out precisely how much will be due back to parishes – and the exact amount will only become clear as pledges are actually paid – he said past experience indicates approximately $500,000 more in pledges will be needed to fully fund the overall goal of $17,575,542.
That underscores the importance of those parishes that have not yet met their assigned targets continuing to strive to complete their CSA efforts, he continued.
"CSA funds support o many ministries and programs that are so important to so many people in southeast Michigan," Scholler added.
Among the recipients of CSA dollars are Sacred Heart Major Seminary, the archdiocesan Department of Parish Life and Services, the Metropolitan Tribunal, archdiocesan cable channel CTND, and hospital and college chaplaincies. The Michigan Catholic also receives a subsidy.
Auxiliary Bishop Francis Reiss, interim moderator of the archdiocesan Curia, welcomed news that the overall goal had been technically met, and urged further efforts.
"Once again, Catholics in southeast Michigan have been very generous in their support of the CSA and their parishes. In these difficult times, we hope those who are able, but have not yet done so, will consider making their pledge," Bishop Reiss said. "The CSA is what helps the Church do its work in the archdiocese. When you support the CSA, you are extending the reach of some of our most important ministries. By 'Bridging the Generations' you are making an investment in our future."
The following 12 parishes exceeded their goals last week:
- Sacred Heart, Auburn Hills
- St. John Neumann, Canton Township
- San Francesco, Clinton Township
- All Saints, Detroit
- St. Jude, Detroit
- St. Mary of Redford, Detroit
- Holy Spirit, Highland Township
- St. Edward on the Lake, Lakeport
- St. Michael, Livonia
- St. Mary Magdalen, Melvindale
- St. Joan of Arc, St. Clair Shores
- Divine Savior, Westland
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