By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer
The final kickoff for the Bishop’s Annual Appeal (BAA), “Because We Are Catholic,” brought supporters together April 10 in Carbon County at St. Joseph, Summit Hill.
The celebration opened with Mass celebrated by Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert. Concelebrants were Monsignor John Chizmar, pastor of St. Peter the Fisherman, Lake Harmony; Father William Campion, pastor of Sacred Heart, Palmerton; and Father Allen Hoffa, pastor of St. Joseph.
In his homily, Bishop Schlert reflected on the readings and told the faithful that it is second nature for them to consider God as their father because they are Trinitarian people.
“That wasn’t the case for Jesus. He talked about a personal relationship with God his father. And that is one of the things that was eventually held against – daring to call God his father,” he said.
“We understand that love comes from God the father. It impacts our lives. The love he showers on us spurs us to love of our neighbor and service to our neighbor. That’s what makes Christianity what it is.”
At the reception, Paul Acampora, secretary of the Diocesan Secretariat for Stewardship and Development, and Michele Mullikin, director of parish stewardship and annual giving, explained where the supporters’ financial gifts go and who benefits of their acts of love for their neighbor.
“The BAA is a trust. It is a legally binding document that describes how your money moves,” said Acampora.
“The money you give us stands apart from other diocesan money. We put the money where it belongs. Your gifts are limited to stay in the Diocese for specific charitable purposes,” he said.
Acampora also pointed out that the money does not belong to the Bishop of the Diocese and is a completely separate account that does not co-mingle with non-trust assets.
In addition, he told supporters that a 12-member board of volunteer community leaders from diocesan parishes, known as the BAA Board of Trust Advisors, monitor how and where the money is used.
“They ensure that all BAA gifts are directed to community services, education, vocations and local ministries,” he said.
Mullikin said 48 percent of last year’s appeal that exceeded $4.8 million was allocated to community service through Catholic Charities (CC), Diocese of Allentown. Some CC programs include food assistance, counseling services, housing services, older adult services, and Catholic Senior Housing and Health Care Services.
In Carbon County alone, Mullikin said, six local students receive scholarships for Catholic education and St. Joseph Regional Academy, Jim Thorpe was awarded a $22,000 grant.
In addition, she said BAA gifts served more than 30 households with counseling, case management, pregnancy support and older adult care.
Sharing their experiences with BAA were Marian Carty and Karen Yanity, trust advisors for Carbon County.
Carty, who described herself as a “cradle Catholic,” recalled being raised firmly grounded in the faith and participating in Mass and receiving confession with her family on a weekly basis.
“I even thought about becoming a nun – until I fell in love. That’s when I knew the faith was the greatest gift I have,” she said.
Due to her close relationship with the Holy Family, she said, their example of faith and love enabled her to nurture her family.
“I am blessed and I know I must share my blessings,” she said.
Yanity, who was raised in the South in the protestant faith, discussed some of the things that influenced her to enter the Catholic faith after moving to the Diocese.
While pregnant with her first child, Yanity said, Roe v. Wade was passed, legalizing abortion and causing her considerable distress.
“As time went on, I always found that the people carrying banners in support of life were Catholic. I also began watching Mother Angelica on EWTN,” she said.
“I began to see that Catholics truly had a relationship with Jesus Christ. The BAA is a wonderful way to do those wonderful works of Jesus Christ.”
Although she told the faithful they may never know who they have helped through their gifts until they stand before God, she assured them their gifts save lives and souls of people in deep agony.
“Through you and the BAA, they come to know the love of Jesus Christ,” said Yanity.
“BAA … about the people like yourselves. Most importantly, it is about the people we serve,” said Bishop Schlert.
