September 25, 2009
Analysis: CPC figures mixed, but generally positive
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
The final report on the 2009 Catholic Parishes Campaign once again shows the generosity of Catholic families and individuals, even during a time of economic downturn, according to Tim McGuire, chief operating officer of the Diocese of Evansville.
McGuire presented the final report for the year during an Aug. 26 presentation to priests and pastoral life coordinators at a presbyterate gathering.
The assessment for the year was $5,160,000, a reduction of $100,000 from the assessment in the previous year.
Pledges for the previous year totalled $4,480,000. Pledges for the year just completed totaled $4,440,000, just $40,000 less than the pledges of the previous year.
McGuire pointed out that the total pledges added up to 86 percent of the goal — the same percentage achieved in the previous year.
Percentages over a seven year period show a consistent pattern of generous giving, according to McGuire. The pledges have varied from a low of 82 percent in 2004 to a high of 90 percent in 2007.
The average pledge in 2008 was $244; the average pledge for the just-completed campaign was $238.
An analysis of the campaign shows that 72 percent of the people who made a pledge this year made an equal or greater pledge than last year.
The analysis shows that 7,528 contributors, or 40 percent of the total, pledged the same as the previous year, while 5,872 contributors, 32 percent, pledged more this year than the previous year.)
Pledging a smaller amount this year were 3,110 contributors, or 17 percent. Also, 2,130 individuals who made contributions last year, or 11 percent, made no pledge this year.
According to the diocesan treasurers’s office, 29 parishes (of 69 in the diocese) have reached or exceeded their goals for the year.
Three of the 69 parishes, St. Benedict Cathedral and St Mary Church in Evansville, and Our Lady of Hope in Washington, are using methods other than the CPC to fullfill their diocesan obligation.
Parishes that have met or exceeded their goal for 2009-10 CPC
Twenty-nine parishes in the Diocese of Evansville have met or exceeded their goals for the 2009-2010 Catholic Parishes Campaign, according to information released by the diocesan treasurer’s office.
Among them are parishes in Evansville, including Holy Trinity, Christ the King, Holy Rosary, St. Benedict, St. Mary,
Also on the list are St. John the Evangelist, Daylight; Holy Angels, New Harmony; St. Wendel, St. Wendel; St. Joseph, Vanderburgh County; St. Francis Xavier, Poseyville; St. Peter Celes-tine, Celestine; St. Raphael, Dubois, and St. Mary, Ireland.
Also, Precious Blood, Jasper; St. Martin, Chrisney; St. Rupert, Red Brush; St. John Chrysostom, New Boston; St. Bernard, Snake Run; St. James, Haubstadt; St. Joan of Arc, Jasonville; St. Thomas, Vincennes; St. Vincent de Paul, Vincennes, and Holy Name, Bloomfield.
Also, Our Lady of Hope, Washington; St. John, Loogootee; St. Joseph, Bramble; St. Martin, Whitfield; Sts. Peter and Paul, Petersburg, and St. Mary, Shoals.