In Your Midst
The Church's Work in Western Washington
 April 99

Imagine a church whose finances allow it to feed the hungry, cloth and house the poor, bring hope to the downtrodden, lift the eyes and hearts of its considerable congregations toward heaven, enrich the lives of the communities in which it lives and works, and shine light into the darkest corners of the lives of members and nonmembers alike.

That is what the Catholic Church in Western Washington attempts to accomplish every year. But many needs go unmet because resources are simply not available to complete the job. Each year the church does a little more, thanks to every parish in the Archdiocese.

The Annual Catholic Appeal is about "helping the church . . . help others." It is truly a labor of love for the many involved both through the Archdiocese and the parishes. The outreach is tremendous in scope. It is needed and appreciated by recipients.

Each year the Archbishop asks parishioners to support the work of the Church in Western Washington through donations to the Annual Catholic Appeal. There are 63 programs and services supported by this vital fund drive. Following are some areas targeted for special help in 1999.

The Annual Catholic Appeal is not the same as our parish's annual sacrificial giving campaign. The Annual Catholic Appeal helps the Archdiocese of Seattle do its important work throughout Western Washington, while Sacrificial Giving (your Sunday offering) stays at St. James.

Our parish goal this year is $240,000; any money received over the Archdiocesan goal is returned to the Cathedral to provide needed funds in support of scholarships, the elderly and basic human service programs.

Rick Oldenburg is Director of Development for St. James Cathedral, a member of the Washington Planned Giving Council, the Tacoma Estate Planning Council, and co-founder of the Planned Giving Study Group of Tacoma.

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