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	Diocese Meets Annual Appeal Goal after Twice Falling Short By Laura Legere The Times-Tribune May 27, 2011 http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/diocese-meets-annual-appeal-goal-after-twice-falling-short-1.1153172#axzz1NXyEWQ41 The Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton surpassed its annual fundraising goal for the first time in three years, the diocese announced on Thursday. The fiscal 2010 Annual Appeal has raised $5.5 million, exceeding a $5.4 million goal that was already $100,000 more ambitious than the goals set for 2008 and 2009, when the campaigns fell short. In a marker of the drive's success after two years of struggle, the 2010 appeal raised the second-highest amount in the annual fundraiser's 21-year history. The diocese raised $4.7 million in 2009 and $5 million in 2008, the first year in its history it did not reach its goal. In the diocesan Catholic Light newspaper on Thursday, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera said parishioners responded to the appeal's theme of togetherness. "We live in challenging economic times - the needs are great and at the same time many of those who gave to the appeal are sacrificing to do so," he said. Diocesan spokesman William Genello said the diocese cannot point to any specific factors to explain the success of the drive. But he said, "It is certainly gratifying that so many people have responded to the appeal and contributed to the best of their abilities." The diocese noted that the current appeal has drawn more pledges and more donors than last year. Funds from the Annual Appeal support clergy recruitment, education and retirement as well as social services, religious education, parish life programs and Catholic media. The diocese's 2008 and 2009 campaigns were hurt by the recession. They also came during a time of transition in the diocese after the announcement of widespread church closures and Bishop Joseph F. Martino's early retirement. The 2010 appeal has been the first full campaign since Bishop Bambera's installation last spring. Contact the writer: llegere@timesshamrock.comCity native to be ordained Saturday A Scranton native will be ordained a priest in the Diocese of Scranton on Saturday. Gregory F. Loughney will become the diocese's newest priest during a 10 a.m. Mass at St. Peter's Cathedral. The ceremony also will include the ordination of seminarian Jeffrey D. Tudgay Jr. as a transitional deacon, a step toward priesthood. The ceremony will be the first priestly ordination by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, bishop of Scranton.
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