CHARLOTTE — Even during the midst of a pandemic, parishioners of the Diocese of Charlotte continued to pledge support to the ministries and mission of the Church in western North Carolina.
The 2020 Diocesan Support Appeal “Our Faith In Action” saw support from 15,104 donors who pledged $6.43 million, surpassing the $6.2 million goal by 4 percent.
Overall, 23 percent of registered parishioners across the diocese shared an average gift of $408, up from an average gift of $382 in the 2019 campaign. Fifty-two percent of parishes and missions across the diocese reached or exceeded their goal.
Parishioners in all 92 parishes and missions in the Charlotte diocese fund the DSA, which supports more than 50 ministries and programs that serve thousands of people across the diocese. Most notably, the DSA is a significant funding source for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte for its counseling, food pantries, pregnancy support, refugee resettlement, elder ministry, Respect Life and other programs, as well as the programs and ministries of the Education Vicariate.
Parishes that exceed their goal keep the extra funds they collect, while parishes that fall short of their goal in donations from parishioners make up the shortfall from their operating budgets.
Some of the 47 parishes receiving rebate funds included St. Aloysius Church in Hickory, which will receive back $4,195, and Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Lexington, which will get back $15,385.
“I would like to thank our generous parishioners for stepping up, in the midst of this pandemic, to assist the people in need within our diocese,” said Father Larry LoMonaco, pastor of St. Aloysius Church in Hickory. “Now, more than ever, it is essential for us to be beacons of light amidst the darkness of our world and wonderful witnesses to our faith. Dedicating our God-given gifts to assist God’s people will build up treasures in heaven, where we hope to reside for eternity.”
Father LoMonaco noted that the parish’s DSA refund will be used to support faith formation and youth ministry programs “because they are the future generation of our Catholic Church.”
The pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Lexington, Father Ambrose Akinwande, affirmed that over the past five years he has been at the parish, “the people in the parish have been tremendously generous and supportive of the Church. Their commitment to the people of the diocese can never be quantified.”
As for the DSA refund, he said, “We have not really decided what the money will be used for, but I am confident that some part of the money will go for a new entrance door for the church and maybe some repairs in the parish center.”
Barb De Mase, the diocese’s associate director of development, expressed deep gratitude to everyone who supported the DSA during a challenging year.
“This past year has been unprecedented and very hard for many. It is wonderful to see how many people have come together and support others through the programs and services of the DSA. Thank you!” she said.
The 2020 campaign continues the trend of the people of the diocese achieving the annual DSA goal every year since 2015.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter