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Charity and Development Appeal (CDA)
The CDA supports more than 70 charitable organizations connected to the Diocese of Phoenix.
Info: dphx.org/cda
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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]imothy and JoAnn Holland, this year’s co-chairs for the annual diocesan Charity and Development Appeal (CDA), have a simple message: if every Catholic gave one dollar more than they did last year, the campaign would raise an extra $700,000.
JoAnn said when the two visit parishes, they plan to encourage “if you would consider giving one more dollar than last year’s campaign. If you didn’t contribute last year, if you’d consider giving just one dollar.”
The annual campaign, which kicks off the weekend of Feb. 6-7, hopes to raise $8.5 million this year to support more than 70 charitable organizations connected to the diocese. The theme of this year’s campaign is the Year of Mercy, corresponding with the Jubilee Year declared by Pope Francis.
“In the Year of Mercy, these organizations are how the diocese lives out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy,” said CDA Director Carrie Aranda.
In a promotional video that will be shown in parishes throughout the diocese, children from four diocesan schools that receive support from the CDA read aloud Pope Francis’ Bull of Indicition declaring the Year of Mercy. Parishioners will then be invited to fill out a pledge card.
Aranda said the CDA has a new website and online giving portal where donors can create accounts and see their payment history.
“Donors can have more control over their giving,” she said.
The Hollands, who are parishioners at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Tempe, say that donating to the campaign is a way to participate in the Year of Mercy.
“The money is used to make a difference in so many people’s lives: food, shelter, transportation, programming, it’s all so highly impactful,” said JoAnn. “Every gift makes a difference.”
The Hollands have taken the Gospel call to give of time, talent and treasure to heart. JoAnn has been a catechist for 15 years and is a founding member of the diocesan Stewardship Council, and together with Timothy, was involved in an “Evenings with the Engaged” program at their parish.
“The whole CDA, especially when you look at the charitable organizations and who they cater to, they help people in general, without looking at what religion or race they are, just people in need,” said Timothy. “That goes with the theme of mercy.”
Recalling the excitement generated by Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to the U.S. in September of last year, the Hollands said they felt he encouraged people to look at their faith more deeply, especially in asking everybody to pray for him at each of his stops and in greeting the prisoners and poor before greeting dignitaries. This provided an example of living out the works of mercy, they said.
“He shook every single prisoner’s hand before he went to the dignitaries. It’s an example of what we all should be doing and it goes back to the works of mercy,” said JoAnn.
“You can feel and be a part of these works of mercy,” added Timothy. “Just one dollar [more] brings in $700,000. To me, that’s what Pope Francis is asking
of us.”
