No. All funds raised by the Catholic Stewardship Appeal are utilized within the 10-county Milwaukee Archdiocese. No programs outside the Archdiocese are supported.
Funds to run the archdiocese come from various sources and are expended in many ways. These
include the archdiocesan assessment to parishes (which at 4 percent is one of the lowest in the
country), estates and bequests, grants, cemetery and mausoleum revenues, rentals and interest
income.
The Campanile Society consists of about 1,400 donors who generously contribute $1,000 or more annually to the Catholic Stewardship Appeal. These donors generate 34% of the total Appeal revenue. In addition to being invited to an annual recognition reception with Archbishop Timothy Dolan, members receive a membership pin and special communications from the Archbishop and Appeal leadership. Learn more about this leadership giving society and its giving levels by accessing the Campanile Society link or contacting Robert Bohlmann, appeal director.
a. We are blessed with 355 archdiocesan priests and 322 religious order priests in our archdiocese. Of these, 165 are in parishes, 25 are in other archdiocesan assignments, 19 are assigned outside the diocese, and 146 are retired, on leave or unassigned. Thanks in part to the CSA, our archdiocese has had an excellent Seminary for over 150 years.
b. There are 180 permanent deacons in our diocese. The diaconate admissions and discernment process takes four years. The CSA helps to support the John Paul II Center's diaconate formation program.
c. The Lay Formation Program, also part of the John Paul II Center, helps to ensure that our parishes have trained personnel to serve full-time or part-time in the Church. Currently, 43 men and women are enrolled in the Lay Formation Program, pursuing Master's degrees. An additional 19 men and women are enrolled in the Certificate Lay Ministry Formation Program and 24 men are enrolled in the Diaconate Program. The CSA helps support these formation programs.
d. Your own pastor or parish director has probably attended a continuing formation program sponsored by the Office for Clergy Personnel. During the past year, priests participated in retreats, days of recollection and sabbaticals, and participated in educational programs in which they were given an opportunity to learn administrative skills, update liturgical practices and reflect on their ministry. Newly-ordained priests participate in a mentoring program for a three-year period to offer support, assistance and positive ministry role models. Senior priests are assisted with retirement living arrangements. These programs are, in part, supported by the CSA.
f. Thanks to CSA support, the Office for Worship and Pastoral Services fills their primary role of "walking with" parish leaders in serving their parish by removing obstacles and providing services which help parish staff and parishioners create the most effective parishes possible. Within the department are services for single people, engaged and married couples, families, the divorced and widowed, those with special developmental needs, persons of various ethnic backgrounds and many more. Parish consultants link parishes' needs to central office services. Other offices provide financial analysis and counseling, parish collaboration, help with liturgies and Catholic schools.
g. Every parish has the opportunity to call upon the assistance of the Office for Parish Finances for help with administrative, financial and technical matters. The Parish Finance Office provides advice and recommendations regarding record keeping and the procedures for handling parish monies, an annual financial report and financial analysis and summaries.
h. There are numerous correctional facilities in the ten counties of our Archdiocese. Thanks to the generous support of CSA donors, our Detention Ministry can give spiritual service to the Catholic inmates and residents in all of the facilities.
i. Catholic school students receive tuition assistance through a special scholarship fund and Catholic high schools also receive special grants.
j. Parish consultants provide direct services to all parishes throughout the 10-county Archdiocese, each working with 45 to 55 parishes of his/her designated district. Consultants determine the specific needs of the parishes, work with parish leaders and assist in problem solving, conflict resolution, leadership training; council and committee in-service; retreats and days of reflection and planning, collaboration, consolidation or transition efforts.
k. The Archdiocesan Office for Religious maintains a bond between Archbishop Dolan and the nearly 3,000 religious men and women within the archdiocese.
l. The Office for Prayer and Worship provides consultation, presentations and training for parish councils, staffs, liturgical ministers, Rite of Christian Initiation teams (RCIA), pastoral musicians, parish liturgy and evangelization committees on evangelization RCIA and all aspects of liturgy. In 2006, 580 people were received into the Catholic faith and 265 adults were baptized.
m. Annually, about 65 couples are trained to work with engaged couples in their respective parishes.
n. Approximately 1,800 engaged couples take part in Pre-Marital Inventory and are involved in the Marriage Preparation programs.
o. There are 33,529 students are currently enrolled in Catholic elementary schools and high schools that are serviced by the Office for Schools.
p. There are approximately 4,100 catechists (religious education teachers) serving in the archdiocese.
q. There were 49,868 students enrolled in parish religious education programs throughout the archdiocese. A total of 34,830 students were enrolled at the elementary level (Pre-K to 8) and 15,038 students at the high school level.
The CSA is distinct from parish stewardship campaigns. A parish's budget typically reflects needs that are unique to that parish. The CSA, however, funds programs and services that no single parish could support on its own, but that benefit the entire Archdiocese.
Only 8 cents of every dollar contributed is used to run the CSA.
Absolutely not. No CSA money has ever been used for legal costs including those regarding sexual abuse. On the contrary, money contributed to the Catholic Stewardship Appeal helps to fund programs and services, which help prevent sexual misconduct in any form. The Safeguarding All God's Children program educates adults and children about appropriate and inappropriate physical contact and teaches children to consult a trusted adult if they feel uncomfortable with someone's touch. The Office for Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response, also supported by Catholic Stewardship Appeal funds, has done remarkable work in helping victims and their families begin the healing process that is so necessary after an instance of sexual abuse.
The Archdiocese scrupulously follows standards for financial reporting and accountability, including an annual audit of financial records. An Archdiocesan Finance Council is established, which includes business and community leaders with financial expertise. This council reviews and approves the annual archdiocesan operating budget. An annual financial report will be mailed to all registered parishioners. Catholic Stewardship Appeal gifts are used solely to fund ministries, programs and services that meet the needs of over 700,000 Catholics and countless others in our archdiocese.
