By Fr. Greg Schlarb | May 21, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

Last month, I wrote about the upcoming Charity and Development Appeal efforts of our diocese’s Catholic schools. Each school received a CDA Chapel, allowing students and faculty an opportunity to practice their stewardship and social justice in a tangible way through their participation in the CDA.

I was interested in receiving a preliminary report on their progress. I asked the principals to send me some information regarding how the CDA Chapel was utilized and how the participation has been at this point. So far, nine schools reported back to the Office of Stewardship.

I want to thank Notre Dame Preparatory, St. Louis the King School, St. Mary-Basha School, St. Mary’s High School, St. Matthew School, St. Peter Mission School, St. Theresa School, St. Thomas Aquinas School and Xavier College Preparatory. Their efforts and participation with their CDA Chapels have today brought in more than $12,000 to assist the 70 services and ministries funded by the Charity and Development Appeal.

You may be asking yourself, but that is only nine schools out of 28 elementary schools and six high schools or 26 percent of our schools who have reported so far. Is that low? Unfortunately, the participation within our diocese is at 25 percent. Our children learn by example. The example that we have set for them is our current 25 percent diocesan participation. At present, students have met and surpassed our percentage.

In a world where our existence is now measured in a carbon footprint (the mark we leave in the world by how we live), we may ask ourselves, what is the “footprint” we are leaving in our parish and in our diocese? Are we making a difference by our participation? Are we faithful worshippers at Sunday Masses? Are we sharing our talents by serving others? Are we offering our “first fruits” to God?

As we offer an example to our students, let us question ourselves. Can I honestly answer “yes” to the questions listed above? Do I fall within the 25 percent of the Diocese of Phoenix, the “usual suspects,” and continue to step forward and leave my “footprint” on the parish and the diocese? Or do I fall within the 75 percent? What am I waiting for?

Will today be the day that I make a difference and change the world?

--

Fr. Greg Schlarb is the vicar of stewardship and the pastor of St. Anne Parish in Gilbert.