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Fr. Christopher is always thrilled to bring new friends to the studio to be part of the radio program.
Today’s guest is Ian Rangel. He is the Director of the Diocese of Orange Pastoral Services Appeal and Fund Development.
Give a listen to this very informative program; and, share it with a friend!
Originally broadcast on 3/20/21
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There’s a saying about thinking globally and acting locally. At the Diocese of Orange you can do both when it comes to supporting the Pastoral Services Appeal, the “PSA”. Now more than ever, in light of the great need that has resulted during the COVID-19 global pandemic, donations and pledges are ever-more important.
Contributing to the annual fundraising effort allows parishioners the opportunity to benefit the Diocese at large and the local Churches, which receive money back from the appeal.
“What makes it unique is there is really an opportunity to have an impact on a micro and a macro level,” said Ian Rangel, fund development manager for the Diocese. “Not only are we providing an opportunity to support the missions and ministries at the parish level, we’re also giving our parishioners the opportunity for greater membership in the diocesan Church through the spirituality of stewardship.”
Think of it as a kind of “omnigiving.”
Parishioners may know the individual needs of their local Church. However, they are probably less likely to know the top priorities of the Diocesan Bishop, or what programs serve the neediest in the Diocese and/or have an impact on all Catholics in our community.
In addition to helping individual parishes, donors help the larger community in an array of ways, ranging from tuition assistance for families in need seeking the benefit of a Catholic education, to outreach and services by groups such as Catholic Charities.
In order to take advantage of organizational efficiencies and to align the PSA with the strategic priorities of the Bishop, the Diocese made the decision to administer the PSA through the Bishop’s administrative offices beginning in 2020.
According to Rangel, “The primary goal is to benefit our parishes through a reduction in the costs of administering the appeal.” Administrative costs for the 2020 PSA were set at 4 percent, approximately less than half the cost from previous years.”
The goal of the 2020 PSA is to better align its priorities with the Bishop’s goals, which were outlined in December 2018 in the first-ever Diocesan Strategic Plan.
The purpose of the strategic plan is to provide the Bishop the framework to establish and prioritize organizational systems, structures and resources in six areas: evangelization and faith formation; governance and leadership; clergy formation; stewardship and finance; Catholic schools; and the Christ Cathedral Campus.
As Rangel describes it, “The programs and services designated as Bishop Vann’s priorities provide training, formation, education and outreach that reinforces the mission of each individual parish and reaches out to those in the wider community.”
Elizabeth Jensen, Chief Financial Officer for the Diocese, said leadership worked with pastors on the appeal to “make it more local. And while it still benefits the Diocesan ministries, there will be huge benefits to local parish ministries.”
About 45 percent of the funds raised are earmarked for Catholic education, seminarian formation, and ongoing education for priests and deacons.
Another 42 percent goes back to parishes as rebates, which can be utilized by the parish on specific projects, or as needed in their community.
“Each parish conducts their own PSA campaign and has an assigned fair share goal,” Rangel said. “The PSA provides an opportunity for parishes to earn significant capital funds to support important parish projects after their goal is reached each year. One hundred percent of all funds received over the parish’s goal are returned to the parish as a surplus, while all appeal marketing, processing and pledge redemption costs are covered for every parish and center by the Bishops Administrative Offices.”
Rangel said in past years some more affluent parishes have designated their refunds to help parishes in struggling communities, which proved particularly popular, not to mention in the true spirit of Catholic giving.
Another important aspect of the Pastoral Services Appeal this year is transparency.
In a video promoting the PSA and the Diocesan Strategic Plan, Father Angelos Sebastian of St. Kilian’s Church said, “When we spend money, the parish knows where we spend the money, they know how we spend the money and why we spend the money. And when they see how we are transparent with them, they believe us, they trust us and they’re very generous.”
About 10 percent goes to outreach programs for the poor, vulnerable and others on the margins in our community. These include support services to more than 330,000 families through Catholic Charities and 31,000 served through the detention ministry and restorative justice programs. Each year, funding is also set aside for the deaf community in the Catholic Church.
Summing up the Pastoral Services Appeal, Rangel said, “I can’t think of any other effort that allows Catholics the opportunity to help the people close to them, those they sit next to in the pews, and those we may have never met but whom we share this larger Catholic community within the Diocese of Orange.”
From the Bishop:
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Friends in the Lord all,
As we enter the grace and blessing of a new year, we reflect with gratitude to God on the many opportunities to live our faith anew with the talents and gifts that the Lord has given to all of us.
The local Church of Orange has a reputation nationally and beyond as a place of vibrant Faith, enthusiasm and service to those who are “the least among us.” Thank you for your generosity, which is part of this great portrait of God’s love among us. This generosity is truly a sign of your love of God that draws us all together. It is a reflection of the word “catholic,” which means universal – a sign for all to see of gratitude to God for the blessings that we have received and to be seen by the entire world.
In that light, thank you over the years for your participation in the Pastoral Services Appeal – or as it is known in shorter form – the “PSA”. The Pastoral Services Appeal helps to support the ministries of our diocesan Church and strengthens the mission of the Church in all of our parishes and centers, and helps to strengthen our bonds of communion and family in our local Church.
I invite you to become familiar with the vital ministries and services that support and serve thousands in our community and learn about the impact these ministries have on the life and mission of the local Church. You can learn more by visiting orangecatholicfoundation.org.
Thank you once again for your generosity in ways great and small to the Body of Christ over all of these years. As I once learned in Cursillo many years ago: “Christ is counting on us.”
Gratefully yours in the Lord,
Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, J.C.D., D.D.
Bishop of Orange
2015 Highlighted Ministries in Focus
Catholic Schools Tuition Assistance
In 2014, more than 2,400 children were given the gift of a Catholic education where it may not have been possible without tuition assistance. With the assistance of the school principal, these funds are granted directly to the family in need and do not go to the school’s operating fund.
“A total of 99 percent of the Santa Ana Catholic school students go on to high school, and 90 percent of those students go on to college compared to 42 percent of students in public schools who graduate high school. The students are being given the tools that they need to succeed. They bring those tools to their own new families so they have a huge impact in the local community and our Church…”
—Sr. Theresa Lynch, CSJ, Principal, St. Anne School, Santa Ana
“The teachers and staff all reiterate our message as parents. It’s not only the common core subjects of reading, writing and science…, but also the religion, integrity, character and morals. With tuition assistance, I feel that no single socio-economic class is over-represented. This diversity is great for the children’s education…”
—Cuong Nguyen, parent, St. Columban School, Garden Grove
Catholic Deaf Community
The religious and social support offered to Catholic deaf adults and children allows them to grow in their understanding of their giftedness and empowers them to become all they can be in our Catholic community and the world. Each year, religious education, sacramental preparation and liturgy are provided to hundreds of people in American Sign Language.
“Every week the Catholic Deaf Community provides full communication in American Sign Language for religious education classes and Mass with families of deaf children, giving them knowledge and hope about God. The parents are happy to see that their children are being involved in the faith and are able to sign, and the family is learning together. I believe this is very important because the deaf children are able to identify who they are and they feel welcome and belong as part of the faith community. It is important to teach them and to continue to help them grow in their faith in God, and this is all made possible by a community that supports them.”
—Kathy Ivankay, pastoral worker, Catholic Deaf Community
Permanent Deacon Formation and Support
Your gifts support men in their formation to become permanent deacons and continues to support them through ordination and beyond into their ministry. There are currently 120 active deacons serving a unique role in our diocese, including their primary charism of service to the poor.
“The permanent deacons connect people and help to bridge Gospel values with the family lived experience. They are a powerful connection to God’s grace in the moment that people need that grace of God’s presence with them.”
—Father Steve Sallot, Vicar General, Diocese of Orange
“One of my favorite parts of being a Deacon is helping young people to develop a better way of living and knowing more about their faith.”
—Deacon Ben Flores, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Delhi, Santa Ana
You’re invited
You are invited to join hands with all Catholics in Orange County and embody the values of Jesus’ teachings by making a sacrificial gift to our 2015 “Proud to be Catholic—Living Our Faith” Pastoral Services Appeal (PSA).
In making a charitable gift to the PSA, you are assured that 93 percent of every dollar is used directly to support the coming year’s operation of the ministries and services listed in the PSA brochure and on the Orange Catholic Foundation website at orangecatholicfoundation.org and your parish directly through parish rebates. Each year, up to 50 percent of the total dollars raised are returned to the parishes for their own important projects through monthly rebates once the parish share goal is fulfilled.
Pledge envelopes are available at your parish or center for your convenience in making your pledge. You are encouraged to make a ten-month pledge using the convenient payment options available, including monthly, quarterly, electronic funds transfer and credit card. You may also go online at www.orangecatholicfoundation.org and make your pledge directly on the secure online giving page. All pledges made on this site will be credited to the parish of your choice.
Together in Faith, we are…
The PSA is a program of the Orange Catholic Foundation that annually conducts the PSA on behalf of Bishop Kevin Vann for the benefit of the Diocese of Orange. www.orangecatholicfoundation.org or (714) 282-3021
2015 Ministries and Services Funded:
Growing Our Faith:
Scholarships for Catholic Schools Tuition Assistance $1,025,000
Scholarships for Lay Ministry Formation $ 160,000
Parish Stewardship Education.. $ 143,284
Orange Catholic Foundation ….. $ 788,461
Sharing Our Faith
Catholic Charities of Orange County $ 622,000
Catholic Deaf Community………. $ 173,400
Catholic Restorative Justice and Detention Ministry $ 448,800
Serving in Faith:
Diaconate Formation and Support $ 218,000
Priest Continuing Education…… $ 415,000
Vocations………………………………. $ 219,000
Seminarian Education…………. $ 1,128,500
PSA Administrative Costs (7.5 percent of total campaign
including parish rebates)………… $ 800,555
Parish Incentives and Parish Contingency Fund $ 80,000
Total 2015 Ministries and Services Funded $6,222,000
Potential Parish Rebates……… $4,500,000
Projected 2015 PSA Campaign Results: $10,722,000
