Parroquia San Francisco de Sales

CSA Catholic Services Appeal 

We have now received 410 pledges for the 2011 CSA, putting our pledge total at $119,694 which is $6,310 over this year’s goal.  Though our participation rate (about 34%) shows room for improvement, our pledge total is amazing.  Thank you to all who have contributed to  this  campaign.   Now  we need to concentrate on ensuring  that pledges are fulfilled.  According to an August 31 report from the diocese, our CSA payments total $71,571, leaving $48,124 still to be collected.

To  all  who have responded to our 2011 Catholic Services  Appeal, thank you.  We  have  now received  391  pledges,  putting us  just  $108 short of our 2011  obligation!  This is exciting news indeed.  The success of our CSA campaign now depends primarily on our parishioners’ faithful payments  of their  pledges.   June  was  the first  month  in  which  CSA  installment payments were due, so parishioners should have started paying their installments by now.  Also, keep in mind that if our total CSA payments exceed our parish obligation, the difference comes right back here to St. Francis. 

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that He is the light of the world, and in the second reading,  Paul reminds us that we are called to be children of the light.  Our support of diocesan programs is a means of giving light  to  the  world.    The Catholic Services Appeal is the primary funding source for our diocese.   Activities of the diocese include many services that benefit our parish and many  ministries that are beyond the scope of individual parishes. 

One’s CSA pledge is one’s “treasure commitment” to the diocese.  So, just as we normally fulfill our treasure commitment to St. Francis by contributing to the offertory throughout the year, spreading out our CSA payments may be appropriate also.  The CSA pledge cards provide convenient options for paying a pledge over time.  Households can pay quarterly (starting in June) or in ten monthly installments (also starting in June).  If you have not yet received a pledge card, please pick one up from the kiosk in the gathering space.     CSA flyers are also available from the kiosk. This year our 2011 CSA goal is $113,914.