Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

From the

Official News Magazine of the Diocese of Spokane

(From the Dec. 1, 2005 edition of the Inland Register)

“Catholic Charities is a bright light in the lives of the Catholic community, and of the broader Spokane community as well,” said Bishop William S. Skylstad at the Catholic Charities Christmas Collection kick-off, held in Spokane at the House of Charity Nov. 21.

This is the 64th year of Catholic Charities’ Christmas Collection, a once-a-year campaign that helps people all year long through people’s one-time gifts.

“Our goal for 2005 is $675,000,” said Bishop Skylstad.

The funds received from this campaign make up 12 percent of Catholic Charities’ annual budget. The funds are undesignated, going to where they are most needed.

Every dollar contributed will be used to help vulnerable people in Eastern Washington.

One such person who was helped through Catholic Charities spoke fervently about her experience with the agency.

“I wouldn’t have a life if it weren’t for them,” Deb said. “I left a domestic violence situation, and then through Catholic Charities I learned how to live without one. Now I’m a benefited employee for the first time in my life, working at St. Margaret (Shelter). The homeless mothers there are trying to figure out how to get a life, and they just need a little assistance to do it. I love it that I get to give back to the women who live there.”

Catholic Charities’ Executive Director, Rob McCann, said that some 11 percent of Charities’ funding comes from individual donations, while the rest is made up of a combination of public monies, including city, county, and federal grants.

At the kickoff event, McCann affirmed the spiritual solidarity of Catholic Charities with the Diocese while underlining the separate finances of the two entities.

“Catholic Charities is a separate 501 (c)(3) corporation from the Diocese,” he said. “No funds donated to Catholic Charities will go to the Diocese. Rather, they’ll be used solely to help vulnerable seniors, disabled people, and low-income families through our 15 programs in Eastern Washington.”

• Gifts can be given online at: www.catholiccharitiesspokane.org; or
• by mailing a check to Catholic Charities, P.O. Box 1453, Spokane, WA 99210-1453; or
• at Christmas Mass at any of the parishes in Eastern Washington.

“This is a time of great faith, a moment of grace,” said McCann. “We try to raise all the money in one month that we’ll need for the rest of the year. And we do believe.”