BAA Launches With High Hopes

Days before the 2021-22 Bishop’s Annual Appeal launched, optimism was evident in the Stewardship Department of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. 

For the past two years the BAA has topped the ambitious bar of $1 million, no small accomplishment this past year when Louisiana and much of the country spent several months in lockdown as the tentacles of COVID-19 spread. 

“We still collected the same amount (last year) as prior to the pandemic,” administrative assistant Sheryl Richard said, also acknowledging that Hurricane Ida presents an added challenge for 2021-22.

“I’m always optimistic that people want to give and want to be a part of the greater good,” stewardship director Gwen Fairchild said. “We raised more than $1 million last year and we did not expect that.

“This is (Bishop Michael G. Duca’s) annual appeal and where he is able to support ministries.” 

Under the theme “Caring for Our Families In the Spirit of St. Joseph,” which pays homage to the Year of St. Joseph, the appeal launched Oct. 4 and extends through June 15. 

In his BAA message, Bishop Duca said the past 18 months have been a “roller coaster of emotions as we have grappled with the many challenges the global pandemic has ushered into our lives. 

“As we look to the future, our ‘new normal’ may seem unclear but it is comforting to know that we do not have to face it alone. A crisis that aimed to divide us, drew many of us closer together.”

He said the BAA presents the diocese with an opportunity to “do good unto others.”  

According to Tamika Edwards-Raby, coordinator of Stewardship Services, ministries receiving BAA funding include Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Respect for Life, campus ministry, Catholic education and vocations.

A year ago, campus ministry received $305,000, seminarian education $300,000, Catholic education $200,000 and CCDBR $203,000.

Fairchild said she meets with Bishop Duca and chief financial officer Glenn Landry to discuss disbursement but the final decision rests with the bishop. 

“This is how he reaches out for help is through his appeal. He’s very hands on and I’m excited to have a bishop that cares and wants to see everything and know everything,” Richard said. “He knows this is his appeal.”

Perhaps one of the biggest changes for 2021-22 is a separate prayer card for donors or for even those who are unable to donate. Previously, the prayer card was a part of the donation form.

Fairchild said the separate prayer card will allow Bishop Duca to collect the cards and read them and pray over them at (daily) Mass. She said the bishop will never know if someone gave or not but he can pray over that person’s prayer request.

“A person and (Bishop Duca) can take the prayer card and not worry about anything else,” Fairchild said, noting the bishop also blessed the cards.

“To be able to hand him the prayers is good,” she added. “He has the prayers of the people and sees where they hurt and their needs.”

Since its establishment by the late Bishop Stanley Joseph Ott, the Bishop’s Annual Appeal has been instrumental in the growth of programs and projects of special good works within the diocese. 

Fairchild said she is also hoping for the BAA to have more of an online presence so as to be able to reach others. 

Richard said a printed brochure outlining the details of the BAA and who benefits is available and the same brochure is also available online.

Fairchild invited everyone to participate and encourages parishioners to send a prayer request.

For more information or to donate to the BAA, contact Fairchild at 225-336-8790 or visit office ofstewardship.com.