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	Bishop's Fund Donation Pace Is Not on Par with Year Ago By Max R. Mitchell Watertown Daily Times December 16, 2008 http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20081216/NEWS05/312164468/ Bishop+s+Fund+donation+pace+is+not+on+par+with+year+ago OGDENSBURG — The 50th Bishop's Fund Appeal for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg has not seen the success for which many had hoped. By mid-December last year, the $1.15 million goal was nearly reached, but this year's fundraiser is about 10 percent under its $1.2 million goal, said Valerie A. Mathews, assistant director of development. "We're always hopeful we will reach our goal," Mrs. Mathews said. The number of donors also is down by about 500 from the 10,500 people who donated last year, Mrs. Mathews said. The appeal is held annually in 120 parishes and missions and supports 20 programs and services throughout the diocese. It is the largest fundraiser for the diocese and is the main source of income for many agencies. "Anyone can still make a year-end gift. Donations can be made anytime," Mrs. Mathews said. The appeal is always launched in September, but donations can be made year-round. Any money raised beyond the goal will go toward the education of seminarians. Last year, the appeal surpassed its goal and raised more than $1.2 million. Extra money went to the Good Samaritan Fund, which helps needy members of the community. The last time the appeal did not reach its goal was in the 2003-04 fiscal year. If the goal is not reached this year, the agencies will review their budgets for cutbacks, Mrs. Mathews said. The diocese has seen an increase in the number of families needing assistance from the Good Samaritan Fund, she said. The agencies and programs the appeal supports: education of seminarians, $80,000; continuing education and formation of clergy, $16,478; priest graduate studies, $2,500; vocation office, $27,243; permanent deacons, $1,000; deacon formation $31,071; formation for ministry program, $40,320; tuition assistance program, $159,906; campus ministry program, $88,495; matching gifts to Catholic schools, $11,000; Department of Christian Formation, $262,551; Diocesan Center of Youth Ministry, $65,000 and Young Adult Ministry, $22,554. Also, Guggenheim Center, $31,860; Office of Evangelization, $10,400; Department of Worship, $20,631; Family Life Office, $71,500; Natural Family Planning Office, $13,274; Respect Life Ministry, $15,928; Bishop's Good Samaritan Fund, $59,299, and Bishop's Fund Administration, $144,000. The appeal also budgeted $25,000 as unfulfilled pledges. Donations may be mailed to Bishop's Fund Appeal, P.O. Box 369, Ogdensburg, N.Y. 13669, or be made through the diocesan Web site, www.dioogdens
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