South Texas Catholic (2024)

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Diocese of Corpus Christi
1993 Catholic Sharing Appeal
'Overgoal” returns to
parish in 1993
By John Flores
ooking forward to an improving economic situation in this country
I gives hope that the $1,000,000 goal set by the Diocesan Catholic
Sharing Appeal (CSA) committee will indeed be met or exceeded.
Parishioners throughout the diocese arc asked to prayerfully consider their
appropriate response to this appeal keeping in mind that the amount of their
pledge should relate to their means and standard of living. Each pledge should be
made in appreciation of God’s blessing.
Pledge cards will be distributed at Masses on February 7 after parishioners view
a video tape explaining in detail where and how the funds will be used. Pledges
generally arc paid over a ten month period, March through December, but may
be made on a one-time basis if this method is more financially convenient.
CSA has two purposes. It maintains services offered by the diocese to parishes
and individuals, and it promotes a level of involvement for parishioners. The
money raised, while significant, is a small part of the diocesan budget.
This year these funds will help support Priestly Formation and Education
(Vocations); the Pastoral Institute; Communications; Casa San Lucas (retirement
and rehabilitation facility for priests); Religious Education (CCD) and Youth and
Young Adult Ministry and the three diocesan retreat houses and Camp Corpus
Christi.
During the 1992 campaign, 10,551 pledges were made, totalling $820,812.66
to date. In 1991, 13,000 pledges totalled $894, 427.50. It is expected that the
return of the “overgoal” policy will encourage participation in this year’s appeal.
Ovcrgoal’ is any money received over the parish’s goal as set by the diocese. In
1991, nearly $400,000 in
“overgoal" money was re-
turned to the parishes.
This year’s goals were set
by the CSA steering com-
mittee based on a percentage
of each parish’s Sunday col-
lection. This year the total
CSA goal was reduced by
$500,000 from last year’s
goal. This lowered individual
parish goals and makes it
much easier for each parish
to not only reach their goal,
but receive all money col-
lected above that amount. "
In the case of St. Joseph’s
Church in Beeville, the
overgoal has been earmarked for the building fund, said Father John P.Killeen,
the church’s pastor.
“The overgoal has a very positive effect,” he said. “We built a new church with
it.”
Last year, the overgoal policy was not instituted, and consequently many
parishes did not even meet their goal. This hurt the diocese, Father Killeen said.
“Last year was the worst year strictly because of no overgoal coming back (to
the parish). They (the diocese) wanted $29,000 and we got $ 11,000 or $ 12,000.
The year before (when the overgoal pol icy was in e ffect) we had our goal the first
week.
“The overgoal certainly does help, no doubt in the world about it. We were in
a situation where the church was already started and we had to have money
coming in. When we weren’t going to get overgoal we had to have our own
building fund drive.”
Last year a private firm was hired to conduct the CSA drive. This year Bishop
Gracida decided to return to an “in-house” campaign strategy.
Msgr. William Thompson, pastor of Most Precious Blood Parish in Corpus
Christi, co-chairs CSA this year with Cecil Carlisle, an Alice businessman.
Gregor Scagravc, fiscal officer for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, reiterated his
enthusiasm for this year’s return to an “overgoal policy” and for the way the
appeal is being promoted.
See Overgoal, page 8
We’re looking
foward to a more
successful campaign.
Through overgoals,
the parishes and the
diocese will benefit**
Fr. Donald Critchlow (left) and Fr. Josi Solano (right) recuperated at Casa San Lucas
from Injuries.
CSA funds to benefit Casa San Lucas
Home offers care for ill and
elderly priests
By Paula Espitia
Father Damien Hayes has spent
the majority of his life bringing
Jesus to others through the sacra-
ments and his own personal wit-
ness of faith. From the coast at Port
Aransas to the border at Laredo—
and a few places in between—Fa-
ther Hayes has covered thousands
of miles travelling to and from par-
ishes and missions—ministering to
those in need.
The 80-year-old priest now finds
that he is the one in need, but says
he feels fortunate to be surrounded
by the caring people who run Casa
San Lucas, a place he has called
home for the past four years.
"They treat me very well here,"
said the retired priest, “And Lupita
is a very good cook."
Lupita Hernandez, a member of
Christ the King Parish in Corpus
Christi, is the housekeeper for Casa
San Lucas, which was dedicated by
Bishop Rene H. Gracida in Sep-
tember of 1987 for the puipose of
caring for ill, recuperating or eld-
erly priests, who may need round-
the-clock medical care.
In addition to Father Hayes, Fa-
thers Thomas Duco, 78, and
Lawrence Berger, 58, arc also resi-
dents at the home, which falls un-
der direction of Catholic Social
Services (CSS).
Casa San Lucas, located at 222
Ocean View, will be a direct ben-
eficiary of this year’s Catholic Shar-
ing Appeal (CSA). Casa’s budget
is about $100,000 and CSA offi-
cials say their goal is to give the
home $50,000.
The CSA contribution is vital to
the continuation of the home, said
Tome Guerrero, who manages the
home’s operation for Catholic So-
cial Services. She stressed the im-
portance of the CSA funds because
the remainder of the budget must
be obtained through private grants,
she added.
See Casa, page 8
 

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