Diocesan Development Drive raises $1.6 plus in '06

Intermountain Catholic

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Father Omar Ontiveros introduces a presentation on vocations he produced with the assistance of Christopher Gray of the Intermountain Catholic. The annual Diocesan Development Drive supports men studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Salt Lake City. IC photos by Barbara S. Lee

SANDY — The social hall at St. Thomas More Parish in Sandy was filled Oct. 17 with good music, good food, gratified pastors and diocesan representatives, and the good news that the 2006 Diocesan Development Drive (DDD), winding down now, has received pledges and payments above this year’s set quota of $1.742,445.

The annual drive raises funds for the continued work of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, including the support of men studying for the priesthood, the purchase of land for future missions and churches, and the financial support of the diocesan offices that provide services to parishes throughout the diocese.

Begun in 1966 by then-Bishop Joseph Lennox Federal, the DDD celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. DDD Director Shannon Lee said this year’s drive theme: "40 Years of DDD: What We’ve Accomplished Together" reflected the history of the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s move from its dependence on Eastern dioceses for support. "In 1966, Bishop Federal decided it was time for the Catholic people in Utah to take care of themselves..."

Lee said over the past 40 years, the annual drive has raised more than $35 million for the ministries, programs, and services which benefit the Catholic community in Utah.

The quota set for the 2006 drive, $1,742,445, has been surpassed by pledges of $1,963,143. With 11 weeks left in the drive, payments received on those pledges have totaled $1,645,078, leaving $318,066 in payments outstanding.

"This year we have been overwhelmed with the number of credit and debit card transactions," Lee said of the 2006 drive. "It is important to give our Catholic community the opportunity to give in a way that is most convenient to them. It is a benefit for our office as well."

Since the 2006 drive, the diocese has welcomed one new mission, San Juan Diego Mission in Gunnison, and a new parish, St. Andrew Parish in Riverton, Lee said.

Noting that the number for overall diocesan participation has dropped, Lee said, "Although our Bishop’s Leadership Society donors are a central part of the drive, we need to reach out to the parishioners who feel their $5 or $50 donations won’t make a difference."

She said the 2007 campaign will reach out to those parishioners with a "no gift is too small" message.

The theme of the 2007 drive, "Light the Way," was introduced with an accompanying poster. Lee said the Bishop’s Leadership Society event will take place in January. The in-church solicitation phase of the drive will begin the first week in February, and the phonations will take place in March and April.

"Light the Way" reflects the new beginning the diocese will experience with the upcoming naming of the diocese’s ninth bishop, Lee said. "The 2007 drive will also light the way for a new beginning in the history of the Diocesan Development Drive."

Father Omar Ontiveros, associate vicar of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, presented a brief movie on vocations to the priesthood and the role the DDD plays in supporting men studying for the priesthood. Produced by Fr. Ontiveros and Christopher Gray of the Intermountain Catholic, the movie featured diocesan priests, some of them newly ordained, speaking about the roads they took to the priesthood and how DDD funds assisted them with seminary tuition, living expenses, and books. They also mentioned with gratitude the individual parishioners and members of the Knights of Columbus who also contributed financial and moral support to the seminarians.

Diocesan Administrator Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald said last year saw four men ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Salt Lake City. "Two more are slated to be ordained this May. We are excited to have their youth and their enthusiasm at work in the diocese."

Msgr. Fitzgerald also spoke of strategic plans for the future of the diocese, including the purchase of land for future mission and parish churches, rectories, and schools.

"We are walking on the shoulders of the giants who came before us," Msgr. Fitzgerald said. "How did they do it? How did Catholics worldwide and here help build the diocese we have today? Every year we have to give. We have to go where God wants us to go in the future."