Annual solicitors luncheon kicks off phase one of the DPAA

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The Diocesan Parish Annual Appeal, DPAA, is fast approaching as phase one officially commenced with the solicitors luncheon, Feb. 12. The luncheon is used to thank the solicitors who volunteer to call the top DPAA donors.

In years past, the number of donors contacted has stayed consistent at 200, with approximately 30 solicitors making calls. This year however, there were over 60 solicitors, allowing for the top 300 donors of previous DPAA efforts to be contacted.

Jeff Jehn, general gifts chair for the DPAA, said “Due to the fact that we had such good recruitment of adding new people, we’ve increased the number to 300 and because of that, we are going to see, I believe, some very good results for what we are trying to accomplish.”

By the time the DPAA is launched in parishes in late March, thanks to the work of the solicitors the campaign will be closer than ever to its goal of $2,700,000.

At the luncheon, solicitors peruse cards containing the names of 300 top donors, finding people they may know.

“The dollar figure of the number of gifts that are represented by that table … will be over $1,600,000. That will take us over 50 percent of the total goal of the DPAA. I think that is pretty incredible, that our top 300 donors are a little over $1,600,000. I’m so happy that we are doing this process, I think it is a real strength of our Diocese and of the DPAA,” said Jim Hess, director of the Office of Stewardship and Mission.

Lisa Knochelmann, leadership gifts chair, quoted Bishop John Iffert saying, “‘As we begin this Jubilee year inspired by Pope Francis’ call to mercy, our DPAA theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope, Missionaries of Mercy,’ invites us to find the heart of Christ by sharing our spiritual and material gifts. We can extend God’s love, compassion and hope to those who suffer.’”

As solicitors were enjoying lunch, Bishop Iffert spoke to them about what giving to the mission of the DPAA truly means.

“All of life is a return to the Lord what he has given to us, that is what we’re here for. The Lord reveals himself to us, reveals his loving nature, reveals his redemptive purpose, reveals his desire that we are all to be saved and to spend eternity in his divine company … We respond with a grateful return into the Lord. Not just a percentage of who we are, but we respond with our whole being,” Bishop Iffert said.

Part of that whole being, Bishop Iffert said, is the way we live your economic, financial life. That is not to say that one should begin selling off assets.

“How much you give does not make you a member or not member,” said Bishop Iffert, “All we ask people to do is enter into a relationship with the Lord and do what God asks us to do. That’s how we’re judged. God judges us by our conscience, some people will only be able to give a very small gift.”

Bishop Iffert ended his talk in gratitude for the solicitors. “Thank you for joining us … thank you for saying yes to that invitation,” said Bishop Iffert.