Seventeen parishes underway to receive DPAA rebates, more to go

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

The 2025 Diocesan Parish Annual Appeal (DPAA) is well underway, with a recent mailing encouraging parishioners from across the Diocese to dedicate their contributions if they have not already.

As of the end of April, the DPAA has raised more than $2.6 million which will be used to help fund the ministries of the diocese. This is just short of the $2.7 million goal of the whole campaign — but, more than that, there are goals for the individual parishes that are yet to be met for the campaign.

In July, money collected over the goal amount for any specific parish is returned to the parish as a rebate. This money is used towards parish construction projects and ministries. However, with only 17 parishes having exceeded their goal so far, there is still a long way to go in terms of raising money for diocesan parishes.

St. Henry Parish, Elsmere, has successfully exceeded its DPAA goal this year — and has been setting aside rebates since 2022 for the pavement and restriping of the parish’s parking lot this year, according to Kris Staverman, a parishioner. “The lot was last resurfaced with new asphalt in 1989,” said Ms. Staverman, who notes that additional funds will be put towards a new sound system for the church.

Other parishes who have exceeded their goals include St. Therese Parish, Southgate, whose pastor, Father Michael Grady, hopes to put the money towards tuition assistance for St. Therese’s school. “We see a need there and we try to fill that need so that our families can afford a Catholic education,” said Father Grady.

Holy Spirit Parish has also exceeded its goal, and will be putting their 2025 DPAA rebate into a “transformative project,” according to parishioner Alex Bramel. These projects include a new limestone retaining wall, new landscaping and an irrigation system.

However, with these parishes on track to receive funds towards their projects — many other parishes are still working together to meet those goals.

Giving for the 2025 DPAA is still open — and pledges and contributions are needed to assist not just the parishes of the Diocese of Covington, but the ministries and people, as well. More information, including giving, can be found online at https://covdio.org/ stewardship-missions/.