Soon we will be launching the 2017 CSA campaign. By way of review, CSA stands for the Catholic Services Appeal. Through the collecting of pledges, CSA generates support for ministries, services, and departments, some of which are local, some national, and some even international. For example, your CSA pledge helps to fund the local Catholic Human Services agency here in Grand Traverse County. Your pledge provides assistance for various Native American missions across the United States. When you read about Catholic Relief Services (CRS) responding to a disaster somewhere around the world, this means that your pledge is also having an impact on the global level. And furthermore, many important departments within the diocese are maintained through CSA funding. As a pastor, I find myself depending upon these departments almost continually. I regularly call upon the Tribunal so that annulment cases can be processed in a timely and graceful manner. I have called upon the Catholic Schools Superintendent’s office on many occasions. And there have been times when I’ve sought direction from the Diocesan Human Resources Department. Additionally, we all appreciate having a Vocations Department, through which seminarians can receive direction and be nurtured along in the path to priesthood.  
 
Speaking in practical terms, we need everybody to play a part. On average, if every household could pledge between $12 to $15 per month, we would safely reach our target. That’s roughly $3.50 per week. Even though our parish target may sound unreachable ($123,125), it ends up being very reachable...as long as everybody plays a part. Some households will be able to pledge more than $15 per month, while some others will have to do less. But for the sake of the cause and for the sake of your parish, I ask that you each do something . When parishes suffer a shortfall, is it because the pledges were too meager? No, it’s because of the pledges that never get made. So please commit yourself to making the 2017 CSA campaign a success for this parish. We plan to have volunteers available after the Masses, ready to assist you in making a pledge. This will happen on the weekends of May 6th/7th, May 20th/21st, and possibly June 3rd/4th. Remember that you do not have to pay anything up front. You can spread your pledge out over the course of the following months. Furthermore, you have the option of pledging through the mail or through the diocesan website ( www.dioceseofgaylord.org). I thank you for your past, present, and future generosity. May you enjoy the Lord’s continued blessings.