New approach for UCA intention weekend ‘will help with engagement’

By Natalie Hoefer

Catholics can look for certain things to happen each year at this time. Clocks fall back, leaves fall down, and the annual United Catholic Appeal: Christ Our Hope intention card arrives in the mail.

This year, the clocks still fell back an hour, the leaves are still dropping in a colorful cadence—but there are changes in the air in terms of the United Catholic Appeal (UCA).

“We looked at best practices [for requesting donations] … and this approach is a best practice across the board,” said Jolinda Moore, archdiocesan director of stewardship and development.

The approach she referred to is called an “in-pew” approach.

“It’s not a concept that’s new,” she said. “It’s a concept that we’re intentionally focusing on because we feel it will help with engagement.

“One of the statements that Archbishop [Joseph W.] Tobin has made is that he wants to increase participation in the United Catholic Appeal. The in-pew appeal is a way to address the decreasing participation.”

Moore described the in-pew process.

“Step one is the pastor proceeding into Mass with the opening song and greeting, and at that point the Office of Worship recommends that they invite everyone to be seated to learn about the United Catholic Appeal,” she explained.

“The priest then shares some broad examples of how the appeal benefits the entire archdiocese. This is an opportunity to showcase how UCA makes a difference in each parish.”

If the parish has the ability, Moore said, a four-minute video will be shown, highlighting many concrete examples of how people are helped by the annual appeal.

After allowing for a few moments of reflection as to how much one feels called to donate, parishioners will be asked to pull out the intention card they received in the mail. Ushers or volunteers will be on hand to distribute cards to those without an intention card.

The pastor will then walk parishioners through completing the card.

“This way, [folks can] consciously decide whether or not they are called to give a gift which benefits the greater Church,” said Moore. “We get so much mail at home. This gives every household that’s at Mass the opportunity to really think about their level of support to the United Catholic Appeal.”

The cards will then be collected with a word of thanks for the generosity, and the Mass will proceed.

“The feedback that I’ve received at our deanery meetings has been extremely positive and supportive,” said Moore. “At most deanery meetings, there was at least one pastor who said, ‘This works. I do this now.’ ”

In addition to the new intentional focus on the in-pew process, the pledge cards have been modified.

“One of the things we heard loud and clear from pastors and UCA volunteers is that they wanted the pledge card simplified,” Moore said.

In addition to simplifying and decreasing the size of the card, she said, the mailed card will also “include what you gave last year to use as a reference.”

Along with the newly designed card, the archdiocesan Office of Stewardship and Development launched new promotional material for parishes to use, and revamped their United Catholic Appeal webpage. It can be found at www.archindy.org/uca.

“Now you can easily see examples of how gifts to the United Catholic Appeal benefit the three different ministries across the archdiocese: proclaiming the word of God, celebrating the sacraments, and exercising charity,” Moore said.

The page provides short videos explaining how various ministries rely on UCA funds, and also offers podcasts and information on planned giving.

The banner of the United Catholic Appeal page bears a definition Archbishop Tobin uses to describe stewardship: “What you do, with what you have, when you believe in God.”

Another quote from the archbishop is highlighted on the page, describing the behavior of Christian stewards:

“The life of a Christian steward models the life of Jesus. It is challenging and even difficult. Yet intense joy comes to those who take the risk to live as Christian stewards.”

(For more information on the United Catholic Appeal or to view the videos highlighting the impact that financial support has on ministry, log on to www.archindy.org/uca . For questions, contact the Office of Stewardship and Development at 317-236-1415 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1415 or e-mail uca@archindy.org.) †