Supporting the Diocesan Development Drive strengthens the Church in Utah, bishop says

Courtesy DDD Office

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SALT LAKE CITY — Bishop Oscar A. Solis has launched the 2021 Diocesan Development Drive in a video posted to the diocesan website.

““It takes all of us in order to move our Church and our mission forward. It needs our unity and solidarity and faith and love to be able to accomplish anything,” the bishop said as he introduced this year’s theme: “Forward Together in Faith and Love.”

DDD funds provide support for the diocese’s nine seminarians and its diaconate program, along with all essential ministries, including funding for poor parishes and rural missions, pastoral care to Hispanic Catholics and outreach programs such as spiritual care, food and shelter to those in need.

Bishop Solis spoke warmly of the contributions of Utah Catholics during 2020.

“I know that 2020 was an unprecedented and disconcerting year for us all, but God is good,” he said. “The Catholic people of Utah have a generous heart and your generosity was felt throughout the entire diocese.”

Although some parishes did not reach their 2020 DDD goals, which were set before the pandemic paralyzed the world – initially halting in-person worship and even today limiting religious services – many people gave generously to the diocese, especially in December, said Shannon Lee, director of the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development.

“When the goals were set for each individual parish for 2020, COVID-19 wasn’t even in our vocabulary,” she said.

Because of the pandemic conditions, this year there will be no DDD in-pew solicitation. Bishop Solis is sending out a letter to all Utah Catholics asking for their support and many pastors will follow up with letters to their flocks, Lee said. The annual phone-a-thon held in April that is usually staffed by volunteers working from the diocesan offices will be conducted by a professional company due to social distancing concerns, she said.

“The one thing that all Catholics can relate to is giving to the Diocesan Development Drive – it helps to fund our seminarians who are preparing to be our pastors in our parishes,” Lee said. “That’s a huge expense and that’s what DDD helps funds.”

Utah Catholics may donate to the DDD through an online giving portal available on the diocesan website which can process credit cards. Checks may also be sent to the diocese. They also may donate by credit card during the phonation.

Lee recently returned to her position after a seven-year absence. Her predecessor, Karen Hurley, served for two years before stepping down. Lee previously had served as stewardship director for 13 years.

“It just seemed to be the right time for me to come back,” she said. “I’ve always loved this job; it was a great opportunity for me to come back and serve the diocese of Salt Lake City.”

For the past seven years, Lee worked remotely for the International Catholic Stewardship Council as director of business development. She is excited to return to working in the diocese, she said.

“With my past experience with ICSC, I feel that I can take my experience of the last seven years into 2021 and bring some new and fresh ideas to the DDD,” she said. “The people of Utah have always been very generous. They are kind and loving stewards and I hope that 2021 is going to be a much better year for all of us.”