Frequently Asked Questions
More Information About the Bishop's Appeal
These most commonly asked questions concerning the Bishop's Appeal will be updated on a regular basis. If you have a question, but do not find it below, please call us at 510-496-7254, or email your question to the Development Office.
- What if I have paid more toward my pledge than my reminder statement shows? - What if I am not receiving my reminder statements?
- What is the Bishop's Appeal?
- How was the Bishop’s Appeal goal of $2.1 million determined? How are parish goals determined?
- We raised the $2.1 million goal last year – why hasn't the goal gone up?
- What if my parish goes over goal? Where does the excess go?
- How much was returned to the parishes last year?
- Will any of these funds be used for items other than the defined case elements?
- How much am I expected to give?
- Where can I find out what was raised through the 2011 Appeal?
- When does the 2012 Appeal end?
- How do I make payments on my pledge?
- What is the purpose of creating a diocesan database?
1. What if I have paid more toward my pledge than my reminder statement shows? What if I am not receiving my reminder statements?
If you feel you have paid more toward your pledge than your reminder statement shows, or if you are not receiving your statement, please email the Development Office or call 510-496-7254
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2. What is the Bishop’s Appeal?
The total budget for the Diocese of Oakland is over $15 million, and of that, the budget for diocesan-wide ministries and services is $6.93 million. While income is generated to support the budget through parish assessments, rent collection on property, service fees and interest on the diocesan savings account, the income does not fully meet the budgetary needs for providing diocesan level ministries, programs and services. The Bishop’s Appeal is a direct appeal to the Catholics of the Diocese of Oakland to provide $2.1 million in supplemental income for the operating costs of diocesan-wide outreach, ministries, programs, services and parish needs. The Bishop’s Appeal is an organized effort to give every Catholic family in the Diocese of Oakland the opportunity to make a gift to the best of their financial ability.
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3. How was the Bishop’s Appeal goal of $2.1 million determined? How are parish goals determined?
For the past five years, the appeal has had a goal of $2.1 million, or 14% of the total budget for the Diocese of Oakland. In 2011, the overall goal for the appeal was achieved, and 45 parishes exceeded their individual goals. However, Bishop Cordileone has decided to keep the goal for 2012 at $2.1 million. Each parish’s goal has been established using the comparison of their net unrestricted plate collections and donations as a percentage of the total diocesan as reported to the Finance Office in 2010. Therefore, each parish’s goal is proportionate
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4. We raised the $2.1 million goal last year – why hasn't the goal gone up?
The average participation nationally in diocesan annual appeals is between 15-25% of total registered families. Last year, the Diocese of Oakland increased the number of gifts and pledges to 13,000, however, that number represents only 8% of the households in the Diocese. Imagine the amount we could raise if we saw 15, 20 or 25% of our families participate! We need to increase our participation by increasing our understanding of Diocese, diocesan ministries and services, and what donations to the appeal support.
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5. What if my parish goes over goal? Where does the excess go?
100% of all funds collected over a parish’s goal will be returned directly to the parish for their own special needs as a rebate.
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6. How much was returned to the parishes last year?
Last year, 45 out of 845 parishes and missions went over goal. They will receive over $200,000 in rebates for their own maintenance projects, plant needs, and ministry and program funding.
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7. Will any of these funds be used for items other than the defined case elements?
Absolutely NOT. The funds raised through the Bishop’s Appeal will be used exclusively for the listed elements. The Diocese has both a legal and moral obligation to restrict these funds for the stated case items. Furthermore, Bishop Cordileone has unequivocally stated that none of these funds will be used to settle any lawsuits or be used for legal fees. The courts have not allowed for donated funds to the Church to become part of the liable holdings.
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8. How much am I expected to give?
We understand that each family’s situation is different. We are asking every family in the Diocese to make an equal sacrifice to the appeal. The amount of sacrifice will be different for each family. Some families will be able to give more than others, but we ask that the sacrifice be the same.
What we ask is that all prayerfully consider a sacrificial gift to the appeal in the spirit of true Christian Stewardship. All gifts of all sizes are greatly appreciated and accepted, for no gift is too large and no gift is too small. Everyone should keep in mind that all gifts should be separate and in addition to normal weekly offertory giving to your parish.
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9. Where can I find out how much was raised through the 2011 Appeal?
Click here to see summary information for the 2011 Appeal, or email the Development Office or call 510-496-7254 to find out if your parish achieved goal.
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10. When does the 2012 Appeal end?
The Bishop's Appeal is an annual drive to raise supplemental income for the operating costs of diocesan-wide outreach, ministries, programs, services and parish needs.
The current Appeal ends on December 31st and donors should plan to complete pledges and/or make a gift by year-end.
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11. How do I make payments on my pledge?
Donors opting for a pledge versus a one-time gift will receive a reminder statement monthly from the Diocese UNLESS they have selected an automatic electronic payment method (credit card or direct debit). The mailed monthly reminder statement will include a return envelop pre-addressed to the Bishop's Appeal Office. The statement and payment should be returned via mail. If you are not receiving a pledge reminder statement, please email the Development Office or call 510-496-7254.
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12. What is the purpose of creating a Diocesan database?
Each parish is a part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland. All of their parishioners are also members of this larger Diocesan church. The 2010 Kenedy Directory shows 173,167 registered households in our Diocese, but there are currently only 40,000 households listed in the existing database.
The main purpose of the database is to enable communications to flow directly from the Bishop’s Office to the 173,167 families of our Diocese in all matters of greater importance, affirming them in their unique and essential role in the Church’s mission.
