July 16, 2014

By Valerie Mathews
Diocesan Bishop’s Fund director

Ogdensburg - The 2013-2014 Bishop’s Fund Appeal has raised the most funds ever in its 55 year history.
As of June 30, 2014, the Bishop’s Fund Appeal collected $1,296,023.37 from 10,513 households across the Diocese of Ogdensburg and beyond. This total surpasses the established goal of $1,275,000.   

This year, all donations that exceeded the goal will be used to supplement the Bishop’s Good Samaritan Fund.  This fund, a ministry of the annual Bishop’s Fund Appeal, assists families and individuals who are experiencing financial difficulties due to work loss, house fires, flooding, high medical expenses and heating costs, and other hardships. 

In addition to surpassing its goal, there were 78 additional contributing households compared to the 2012-2013 appeal. 

Each year, parishes are given a suggested parish goal for the appeal. This year, 53 parishes surpassed their goals.

Bishop LaValley called the Bishop’s Fund total “a remarkable expression of generous hearts!”

“With those who benefit directly from the Bishop’s Fund Appeal, I wish to express my profound gratitude to all who contributed to this year’s successful Appeal,” the bishop said. “In a very real way, over 10,000 households share in the ministries that this appeal supports.”

“I am also grateful to the pastors, as well as to Mrs. Valerie Mathews and the staff of the Bishop’s Fund Office for their key role in the appeal’s success,” he said.

Bishop’s Fund ministries
The ministries supported by the Bishop’s Fund include: education of seminarians, Family Life Office, Natural Family Planning Office, Respect Life Ministry Office, Bishop’s Good Samaritan Fund, Formation for Ministry program, Office of Evangelization, Continuing Education and Formation of Priests, priests’ graduate studies, Vocation Office, Permanent Deacons, Deacon Formation Program, Tuition Assistance program, Campus Ministry program, matching gifts to Catholic schools, Department of Christian Formation, Diocesan Center of Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry Office, Guggenheim Center and the Department of Worship.

Photo by Linda Ross
Bishop Terry R. LaValley is shown with members of the diocesan Development Office who announced that the 2013-2014 Bishop’s Fund Appeal had reached a total of $1,296,023. This is the largest amount raised in the appeal’s 55 year history. From left are Renee Grizzuto, office assistant; Bishop LaValley, Valerie Mathews,  Bishop’s Fund director; and Scott Lalone, executive director of the Development Office.