The
first annual Diocesan Ministries Appeal (DMA) is scheduled for the weekend
of November 18-19,
2006, in parishes throughout
the Diocese of New Ulm. This year’s Appeal theme is Hope for Years to
Come/ Esperanza para los Años Venideros. Flyers explaining the Appeal
will arrive in Catholic households the week of October 23, 2006. The overall goal of this year’s Appeal is $600,000.
As
Bishop Nienstedt mentioned in his column last month in The Prairie Catholic,
And Miles to Go, this will be the first time in the 49-year
history of our local Church that we will have the financial ability
to respond to the four most pressing pastoral needs for ensuring our
future:
1.) Support for priesthood candidates;
2.) Preparation of permanent deacons and the formation of
lay ministers;
3.) Education of our youth and children in the faith;
and
4.) A Catholic Charities outreach to help individuals
and families who
are experiencing problems or
discord as well as to assist with adoption requests.
How can you provide Hope for Years to Come?
As
a member of the Diocese of New Ulm, you will be asked on an annual basis
to make a pledge to the Diocesan Ministries Appeal. Payments, if you
choose, can be spread over a period of up to ten
months (i.e. a pledge of $1,000 can be paid in $100 installments
over ten months).
Your
gift to the DMA will not only support important diocesan ministries
each year, but will also benefit your local parish. After the Appeal
goal has been met, all monies pledged over and above will be returned
to the parish so that a special project can be funded. It may include
church and school repairs; physically disabled entry access; equipment
purchases, or perhaps endowment funds, just to name a few.
As
Bishop Nienstedt stated, “The Diocesan Ministries Appeal is so much
more than a fundraiser, it is in fact a faithraiser. It takes faith
to say, "Lord, all that I have – time, talent and treasure – is
yours" and truly mean it. But if I do make such a pledge, then
I will grow exponentially in my faith.”
Become
a member of the Bishop’s Guild
The
Bishop’s Guild is a special feature of the Diocesan Ministries Appeal
and membership to the Guild is open to all members of the Diocese of
New Ulm.
Members
of the Guild make a gift of $1,000 or more to the Diocesan Ministries
Appeal. As a Guild member you will be invited to attend a special Mass
and dinner next fall with Bishop Nienstedt. Guild members’ names (if
they choose) will be featured in the Diocesan Ministries Annual Report
which will be published in The Prairie Catholic. Guild members will
also receive a special copy of a newsletter entitled Good News, to be
published in the spring of the year which will feature the impact and
progress of the Diocesan Ministries Appeal in the diocese.
Most
importantly, as a member of the Bishop’s
Guild, you will be providing
valuable support for these important ministries the diocese provides
as well as leadership so others
will be inspired to give to the Appeal as well.
To
date, five Bishop’s Guild Gatherings have been held throughout the diocese
in the parish communities of Redwood Falls, New Ulm, Marshall, Benson and Hutchinson.
For
further information about how you can provide “Hope for Years
to Come” in the New Ulm diocese, please contact Wayne Pelzel, Director
of the Office of Stewardship, Diocesan Pastoral Center, 1400 6th Street North,
New Ulm, MN 56073; phone: (507) 359-2966; email: wpelzel@dnu.org.
