TAO: Appeal benefits ministries, parishes

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
Later this month, the colorful mailers with the Together As One (TAO) logo and photos of activities from around the diocese will arrive in the mailboxes of all parishioners. The official kickoff for TAO – Our Diocesan Annual Appeal will be the weekend of Sept. 13 and 14.
 
The comprehensive fundraising goal for entire Diocese of Sioux City is $1,018,723, according to Heidi Probasco, diocesan director of stewardship and development. Each parish has an individual goal set for them based upon net parish ordinary income.

 Some diocesan parishes strive to raise more than their assigned goals in order to benefit ministries, projects and even endowments in their own church community.
 
“We encourage each parish to increase the ‘public’ goal they share with their parishioners to promote giving for their own parish projects as 100% of funds raised above and beyond their TAO goal goes back to their respective parish,” Probasco explained.
 

The Faith Formation Office staff offers training, resources and onsite support for parish faith formation staff, including DREs.

Last year’s TAO appeal raised just $60,000 shy of the overall goal. However, most parishes received a kickback on the funds raised. 

“While the overall goal was short, $276,610 went back to the 29 parishes that exceeded their goal,” stressed Lexa Hawkins, manager of donor relations for the diocese.
 
In addition to funding directed back to parishes raising contributions above their designated goal, parishes and schools benefit from the programs and services provided by the Diocese of Sioux City, Hawkins added.

 

Hawkins

“Funds raised help provide youth and adult ministry support and resources for your parish and school,” she pointed out. “TAO also funds multilingual communication efforts in the diocese, multi-cultural ministries and the Welcome immigration law program through Catholic Charities.”
 
 As of July 2024, all content provided by Lumen Media including news, social media and the Illuminating Catholics podcast are partially funded by contributions to TAO.
 
When the TAO mailers arrive next week, most participating parishioners drop their contribution into the collection basket at their local parish. Other ways to contribute include:

1. Mailing a check via U.S. Mail to: Diocese of Sioux City, P.O. Box 3379, Sioux City, IA 51102.
2. Donating online at www.scdiocese.org/together-as-one.
3. Gifting grain or appreciated stock by calling (712) 255-7933 to work with diocesan staff to complete the gift.
   Probasco
    

The Office of Stewardship and Development staff points out that each donor’s contribution amount from last year in the 2024 campaign will not be listed on the pledge card as in the past.

 “We want each household to have the opportunity to prayerfully consider their support each year,” Probasco said. “Everyone’s circumstances can change and gifts should reflect our parishioners’ current situation. Instead, we are providing a suggested giving amount as a guide. Our hope is that each household will participate at the level they are able so that together, we can continue the important ministries of our church.”
 

The Welcome program, operating out of Catholic Charities, is funded in part by gifts to TAO. Welcome provides case management, mental health access and immigration legal services in northwest Iowa. 

Both Probasco and Hawkins pointed out that they are grateful for the history of generosity of parishioners supporting the TAO as each gift is important to the campaign. They encourage those who have not participated in recent years to consider making an investment in TAO. 

“When each of us participates in Together as One, our individual gifts join to do what no parish could do alone, strengthen ministries, serve those in need and build up our church.  Thank you for your generosity and for sharing in this important work of the overall church,” Probasco said.