'How grateful are you?' Bishop Wester asks as Diocesan Development Drive begins

Friday, Feb. 06, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Sunday marked the beginning of the 2015 Diocesan Development Drive, the annual appeal that funds the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s many ministries, programs and services.

“I am grateful to all of the faithful of the Diocese of Salt Lake City for their generous response, year in and year out, to this important appeal that allows all of us to support these great works of our Catholic Church; works that run the gamut of so many wonderful things, including supporting our seminarians and the ongoing formation of priests,” said the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City.

The DDD also funds formation programs for deacons and lay ecclesial ministers, programs for youth and young adults, ministry to persons with disabilities and those in the hospital or in detention, outreach to rural missions, support of Catholic Community Services and Utah Catholic Schools, among other ministries and services.

“There is just so much work that is supported through the work of the DDD,” Bishop Wester said. “I’m extremely grateful to all the people whose generosity makes all this work possible, and I pray that they will continue that so that our local Church can continue to thrive and spread the good news of Christ’s Gospel and be a real support to people who are in need of help.”

Supporting the DDD is a way to respond to the Gospel call to be good stewards, Bishop Wester said. “God is the giver of every good gift, and we are called to be good stewards of God’s gifts. Sometimes people ask me, ‘How much should I give?’ and I respond, ‘I don’t know. How grateful are you?’ It’s important for us to recognize the gifts that God has given us, and this is one way to return to God what he has given us as a sign of our gratitude.”

The stewardship call is for management of time, talent and treasure; with the DDD, “the emphasis is obviously on treasure, and to highlight the many wonderful things that DDD does,” said John Kaloudis, director of the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development. 

For example, seven seminarians for the diocese are currently studying for the priesthood; supporting each one costs about $45,000 a year, Kaloudis said.  

For the past few years, the people of the diocese have given DDD gifts totaling just over $2 million. This year, Kaloudis hopes to surpass that mark. 

“As we raise consciousness of the concept of stewardship, as we encourage people to be faithful stewards, we believe that we can raise that amount so that therefore the diocese can provide more services,” Kaloudis said.  “I don’t think you can separate DDD from stewardship because they’re one and the same.”

The drive, which will continue through the end of the year, has the theme of “Go forth,” which echoes not only the command that Jesus gave to his disciples but also the message that Pope Francis has given on many occasions.

“Go forth and do the work of the Gospel, and the work of the Gospel is reflected in what the DDD does,” Kaloudis said. “It’s not payment, it’s not an obligation, it’s a gift to support God’s work.”