ANNUAL APPEAL — Seminarians and members of the band Carried Away hold up the goal of this year’s annual appeal by the Archdiocese of Regina. (Flegel photo)
Archdiocesan annual appeal launched
By Frank Flegel
REGINA — A Sept. 20 late afternoon and early evening program filled with information, skits, music, a testimonial and humour launched the 2012 Archdiocesan Annual Appeal in Regina. The goal is $1.4 million, a slight increase over previous years. The money is used to support archdiocesan ministries as well as third-party charities supported in some degree by the archdiocese.
The program opened with development director Christina Attard introducing Rev. Sathiadis Antony as the new appeal chair. Antony is the administrator of Christ the King Parish and takes on the appeal chair as extra duty. After a few brief remarks, Attard and outgoing chair, Rev. Lorne Crozon, took part in an interview style skit in which Crozon was questioned about the need for the appeal, who and what it supported and how the money is distributed. It contained some humour and a few tougher questions about the need for an appeal in an organization that is part of a worldwide institution with what many perceive is a rather wealthy headquarters in the Vatican.
The program included short presentations by Ken Rolheiser of Canora, Sask., a member of the Archdiocesan Stewardship Committee; Gordon Stopanski, a member of the Appeal Committee; director of Pastoral Services Sister Anastasia Young, SSS, who introduced her staff who provide the various archdiocesan services; and Braden Kuntz, a 21-year-old member of the band, Carried Away, who gave a testimonial of his troubled youth following his parents’ divorce and how a youth leadership camp organized by archdiocesan youth co-ordinator Michelle Braden changed his life. A new fundraising video was shown for the first time and will be available for showing to individual parishes.
The campaign actually runs from January-December but the kick-off event is held in September just prior to the parish mailings. This is the second time a kick-off event was used to outline the campaign and explain how the money is used. Last year’s event is credited with giving the appeal the boost it needed to complete the campaign.
The appeal supports some 20 different services and programs, as well as several third party charities. Most were represented by displays arranged around Good Samaritan Hall where the event was held.
The event ended with a hilarious performance of synchronized swimming,
behind a blue tarpaulin representing a swimming pool, presented by members
of the archdiocesan Youth Leadership Team.
Attard said even though the campaign goal is slightly larger than previous
years, she is confident the $1.4 million goal will be reached. “There’s
been great momentum building in the appeal over the last few years and
I see a new energy building in our faith community as we enter Year of
the Faith. I am confident we will reach $1.4 million.”
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