Diocesan Catholic Appeal

What is the Diocesan Catholic Appeal (DCA)?

The Diocesan Catholic Appeal is a fundraising campaign in which each parish is asked to undertake and invite parishioners to support the operational needs of the larger Church of Lubbock.

The Diocesan Catholic Appeal impacts the faith lives of families, individuals, and communities throughout the 25 counties of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lubbock. Close to 137,000 self-identified Catholics live and worship in the diocese.
 

When was the DCA established?

The Diocesan Catholic Appeal traces its roots to 1981 when most of the diocese was part of the Diocese of Amarillo. Then called the United Catholic Appeal (UCA), the campaign replaced a per capita assessment on each parish. When the Diocese of Lubbock was established in 1983, the Diocesan Catholic Appeal was created, taking many best practices from the UCA.

Where does the diocese get its income and what is it spent on?

Now in its 33^rd year, the Diocesan Catholic Appeal is one of the largest sources of revenue for the Diocese of Lubbock, providing just more than 30 percent of its operating income. Without the DCA the diocese simply would be unable to continue the ministry of Christ.

The remaining income comes from grants from private foundations, donations from individuals and Catholic organizations, investment income and fees paid for workshops, conferences and training materials.
The charts below provide a review of the sources of income the diocese receives toward its approximate $5.07 million annual budget and how those sources are spent to build the Body of Christ throughout West Texas. 

 

Service: social services, family life, jail ministry, marriage tribunal, youth, deacon formation, retreat and conference center

Worship: priest continuing education, seminarians, vocations, worship and liturgical music, clergy

Word: Christian formation, deacon continuing education, Catholic schools, evangelization, communications

All ministries bear a pro-rata share of supporting services. 
 

How Does The DCA Change Lives?

The Diocesan Catholic Appeal changes lives by providing ministries and services to people throughout the diocese that build on the basic building blocks of our faith. All parishes benefit from the ministries of the Diocesan Catholic Appeal through:
 

• Formation and continuing education of Priests, Deacons and Seminarians; including retreats and sabbatical programs;
• Professional support of our Catechetical programs; including RCIA, Safe Environment, Lay Ecclesial Minister training, Sacramental Preparation and the annual Catechetical and Ministries Conference;
• Diocesan Retreat Centers;
• Assistance for small, struggling parishes and missions;
• Workshops to support parish finance and administration, building construction and maintenance, and other topics pertinent to parishes and pastors;
• Diocesan-wide Masses and special events, including Rite of Election, Chrism Mass; Rural Life, the Judicial Red Mass for peace and justice, the White Mass for the medical community, the Marriage Jubilee celebrating the sacrament of matrimony and the various celebrations in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, confirmations, ordinations, Week for Christian Unity and others;
• Vocations awareness and discernment opportunities, including Saint Andrew and Fiat Dinners, the Annual Altar Server Recognition Mass, events at parishes, Catholic schools and Campus Ministry, and summer discernment camps for young men and young women;
• Youth Ministry leader training, Confirmation retreats and special events like the Back-to-School Franciscan Fest and spring Youth Rally;
• Programs that strengthen marriages and families, such as Engaged Encounters, marriage retreats, Retrouvaille©, marriage and family counseling services, divorce, loss and grief support, Natural Family Planning, and summer family camps;
• Catholic communications, including the South Plains Catholic, the weekly diocesan e-newsletter, web site, video presentations, social media, mass media and others;
• Programs that protect the rights of the unborn, support Catholic schools, serve the incarcerated, advocate for the least among us, enhance our liturgical celebrations and fund the care of retired priests.

I am already giving to my parish, why should I also support the DCA?

Support of your home parish is very important; but, all parishes benefit from the ministries outlined above. Also, your parish is obligated under Canon Law to pay to the diocese the amount of their quota to support the larger Church.

Without your support of the DCA, your parish would be required to pay this amount to the diocese from its weekly collection.
 

How do parishes use DCA as an additional fundraiser?

The total amount of payments you and your fellow parishioners make to the diocese that exceeds the quota is shared equally with the parish. The term “rebate” is used to describe this process.

Twenty-nine parishes received rebates in 2014-15, totaling more than $111,000, which they used for religious education programs, construction projects, youth programs, debt retirement and many other important ministries of the parish. This serves as an additional fundraiser for parishes during the year.

These are reasons your pastor and your bishop ask that all the Catholic faithful of the diocese unite as one family in thanksgiving and generosity to the DCA to benefit the local Church in West Texas.
 

How are parish quotas determined?

Every parish is assigned a specific dollar amount as its share of the overall Diocesan Catholic Appeal goal. Parish goals are based on the average assessable income throughout the most recently completed fiscal year. Building fund, fundraisers, all second collections, net religious item sales, school tuition/income are exempt from assessable income.

May I give to the Diocesan Catholic Appeal once a year instead of making payments?

If you prefer to make your gift all at one time, you may do so; however, most people are able to make a larger total gift to the appeal by making stewardship gifts to the DCA throughout the year instead of at one time.

For example, a $750 commitment at the Bishop’s Guild level may be paid in twelve monthly payments of $62.50 each, which may be easier to budget than a one-time gift. The commitment form lists several options for monthly payment of a DCA gift, including making online payments at www.catholiclubbock.org/DCA.

Why do I receive a statement every month if I make payments by bank draft or credit card?

Regardless of the manner in which you make payments toward your stewardship gift, the Diocesan Catholic Appeal mails or emails (depending on the option you choose on your commitment form) a statement each month. Once your commitment is fulfilled, you will no longer receive a statement in that campaign year. If you remit your payments electronically and want to be sure that your statements are emailed, please check that option on your commitment form or contact the Finance Office at (806)792-3943 or .

Our Promise To You!

In 2014-15, the Diocesan Catholic Appeal raised more than $1.347 million, or 30.65 percent of the income of the Diocese of Lubbock Source: FY15 Audit

These funds were used, without exception, to support the ministries, programs and services to those in need throughout the Church in the 25 counties of the diocese.

It is our continuing commitment to you to use all the funds received during the 2016-17 Appeal to provide these services and meet the needs of the Catholic faithful throughout the 63 parishes of the Diocese of Lubbock.

What amount should I give to the Diocesan Catholic Appeal?

The amount you choose to give to the DCA is a personal decision, made after prayerful discernment. God has given each one of us gifts, graces, talents, and abilities which are to be shared responsibly and wisely with others. You are invited to join with other Catholics in the diocese in support of this appeal from your bishop. As we Proclaim the Mercy of the Father we recognize that stewardship is more than performing occasional acts of charity and service. It is a holy way of life, a commitment to giving our time, talent and treasure in thanksgiving for all the blessings we have received. 

If you did not make a pledge to the campaign, or are new to the diocese, please pick up one of the commitment forms, envelopes and brochures in your parish.

For more information, please contact 806-792-3943, .