2022 Diocesan Development Drive begins

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SALT LAKE CITY — The 2022 Diocesan Development Drive, the bishop’s annual appeal to provide operating funds for diocesan ministries, kicks off this month. The annual drive helps support more than 30 diocesan ministries such the formation of priests and deacons, the work of the Office of Marriage & Family and the Respect for Life Commission. All funds raised are used to support diocesan ministries, programs and services. “Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting,” this year’s theme, from 1 Chronicles 16:34, was chosen by Bishop Oscar A. Solis.

“The theme this year is about gratitude,” Bishop Solis said. “The pandemic has diverted our attention to the sufferings, death, and uncertainties in our midst; we lost our focus and overlooked other blessings God has given us. Our Lord has not abandoned us and continues to be with us in our struggles. DDD helps us to renew our faith and hope in the goodness and love of God and express this in a spirit of stewardship to celebrate, give back and share our blessings with others in thanksgiving by sustaining the various ministries, programs and services – especially in our poor parishes and missions such as the religious education of our children and youth, formation of our seminarians and deacons, charitable works to families, to those who are vulnerable and in need. It reminds us that we are one Church, one family, and brothers and sisters to each other.”

The Diocesan Development Drive was implemented in 1966 under Bishop Joseph L. Federal.

“They were very surprised at how well the parishioners responded to that first drive,” said Shannon Lee, director of the Office of Stewardship and Development. “We have continued throughout the years to support each bishop through the DDD so that the diocesan ministries can continue.”

With a great need in the diocese for ordained priests to minister to the faithful this support is critical, Lee said. This summer, Deacon Tristan Dillon will be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

“I believe ordaining a new priest this year is one way to remember how important it is to support the DDD,” Lee said. “Without that, we wouldn’t have seminarians; we wouldn’t be able to ordain a priest; we wouldn’t be able to have deacons in formation. We wouldn’t be able to support our marriage and family life; we wouldn’t be able to support all those 30-plus ministries. We are so very grateful to the parishioners across the state of Utah for their sacrifice, for their stewardship, to be able to give to DDD all year.”

Along with ordained priests, deacons labor throughout the diocese providing ministry and care, particularly in those areas where the pastors are stretched thin.

“In the Diocese of Salt Lake City, the cost of forming new deacons is paid by the diocese. This is not the case in many other dioceses,” said Deacon Scott Dodge, director of the Office of the Diaconate. “This opens the diaconate to many fine candidates who otherwise might not be able to either raise money or pay for their own formation. The DDD also helps my office to provide high-quality on-going formation for deacons.”

The support of Utah Catholics enables the diocesan Office of Life and Family to provide valuable resources to the diocese’s families, Director Crystal Painter said.

“With parishioner support of the DDD, the Family Life Office can continue to provide opportunities for support, formation, prayer, and enrichment to parishioners,” she said. “We will be able to continue to host workshops, events and webinars and help parishes in their efforts to serve and support their parishioners. Thank you to all of those who support the DDD, especially in these hard times. Where so many families are struggling and need support, it is so meaningful to see so many give from their hearts.”

In-church solicitation for the drive will take place the first weekend of February. The annual DDD phonation is scheduled for March and April, pandemic conditions allowing. Lee encourages volunteers to make those calls from their parishes or homes.

This year Lee’s office is launching St. Francis Circle, a way to give on an ongoing basis. Participants will be able to access the diocese’s online giving platform and set up automatic monthly donations. Along with being a convenient method for donors, doing this saves paper, time and money on postage and staff resources, Lee said.

Although in 2021, the DDD did not quite meet its $2.4 million goal, it did receive more than $2.3 million, Lee said.