2014 Diocesan Development Drive begins Feb. 1; theme is 'Follow Me'

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The 2014 Diocesan Development Drive theme is drawn from Matthew 9:9; it also is Pope Francis' motto. Courtesy of the DDD

SALT LAKE CITY — With a new theme, a new director and a new emphasis on stewardship, the 2014 Diocesan Development Drive gets underway Feb. 1 in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

Donations from the annual appeal fund 30 diocesan ministries, from the archives to seminarians to the Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

While the benefits of some of these ministries are obvious on their face, others might require some explanation of their value, said Karin Hurley, who began as DDD director in October (see related story, "Karin Hurley," on the home page). For example, the Office of Marriage and Family Life fosters families, and families, among other important duties, foster vocations to the Church.

"That’s where the love for Jesus is born," Hurley said. "That’s where it’s cultivated. … And no priest, no Eucharist. That’s a reality for us as Catholics."

Contributing to the DDD "is a way of relating to God and to one another," said the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City. "I would like people to see this not only as a development drive, but to place it in a much larger context: We’re seeking to be faithful stewards and to give back to God, to thank God for all he’s given us. This really is a very beautiful way to make a return to God for his gifts."

Acknowledging that in the Diocese of Salt Lake City "we have a very generous, very giving Body of Christ," Hurley said that nonetheless she would like to see increased participation in the DDD, particularly from those who may believe that the amount they could give would be insignificant.

This is a mistaken belief, Hurley said, giving the example that Catholic Community Services’ Saint Vincent de Paul dining hall can feed 56 people two meals a day on $50, combined with the food donations they receive.

"We would love for more people to appreciate that any and every gift makes a difference," Hurley said. "People think if it’s not a grand gesture, it’s not good enough, but that’s not true. Every gift is significant. I think once people see the effect of their gift, they’re likely to continue."

Two new processes this year have been implemented to simplify donations to the DDD. First, the new bilingual (English/Spanish) pledge form contains a perforated portion at the bottom that can be sent in. These pledges and the following payments will be processed by Wells Fargo Bank; the donor’s parish still will be credited with the pledges.

"By doing this we eliminate the necessity of our DDD parish leaders … from having to be secondary or tertiary accountants," Hurley said. "They’re no longer going to be processing any kind of pledges or payments within their parish."

Secondly, the DDD forms also have a QR code, so pledges may be made with a smartphone.

The letters announcing the beginning of the 2014 Diocese Development Drive will be mailed the last week of January; the drive begins Feb. 1.