From Fr. Mike

 

Bishop's Annual Appeal 2010

 

All registered parishioners will have received by now a letter from Bishop John Steinbock regarding the Bishop's Annual Appeal, held every year to assist the bishop in his responsibilities to care for the needs of the diocese.  The funds raised help with the costs of seminarians, purchase of new properties for new parishes, the Priest Retirement Fund, Catholic Schools assistance, and other   urgent needs.  The diocesan goal this year is to raise $850,000.  Each parish is assessed a certain amount based on their annual plate collection.  The goal set for Our Lady of the Sierra Parish for 2010 is $7,365.00.  Each parishioner is asked to contribute directly to the appeal, with the envelope supplied by the   diocese in the mailing.  Whatever amount is not raised by the direct appeal from parishioners must be made up by the parish itself.  This affects our budget, since we will not know what the parish will have to contribute at the end of the budget year in June.  In the 2009 Bishop's Annual Appeal, the parish was responsible for over $4,000 at the end of June.  We ask for your help  and generosity in this matter.