Diocesan Development Drive Office launches a new website

Courtesy photo/DDD Office

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Holy Family parishioners Denny and Michael Joseph give to the DDD because they want to give back and say the DDD is one of the most important investments after our own parishes.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Diocesan Development Drive (DDD) Office has launched a new website with video testimonials about why people give.

"Our website went live Jan. 12 and we are really excited about it," said Shannon Lee, DDD director. "The testimonials from folks throughout the diocese are in both English and Spanish, as is the bishop’s message."

The people featured in the website are from throughout the diocese, from Holy Family Parish in Ogden to Our Lady of the Light Mission in Beaver and Christ the King Parish in Cedar City. All Catholics in the diocese are encouraged to go online to record their own testimonials.

"I encourage you to participate this year and make a gift to the DDD," said the Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City, in his online message. "After you make your gift, I invite you to share with us why you were inspired to give."

The testimonials reflect the theme for this year’s drive, "Why I Give." The inspiration for this theme comes from the Biblical verse in 2 Cor. 9:7, "Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Norita Kay Sheehan, a member of Christ the King Parish has seen tremendous growth and "the opportunities that have come as a result of the DDD and of the people of southern Utah," she said in her testimonial.

Denny and Michael Joseph from Holy Family Parish were inspired to give because they appreciate all that the diocese has to offer and want to give back, according to their testimonial.

"The DDD is one of the most important investments after our own parishes," said Michael Joseph. "We started giving before we even realized how much it meant to have all that the diocese does for us. The DDD reaches into so many areas and helps so many different kinds of people in so many ministries."

The DDD is a parish-based diocesan appeal designated for operating funds for the bishop’s ministries. There are 22 ministries, some of which include Catholic Community Services, Diaconate Formation and Training, Hispanic Ministry, Liturgical Training, Persons with Disabilities, Prison and Detention Ministry, Rural Outreach and Vocations and Seminarian Training.

"We reached our goal of $2 million in 2010 and our goal for 2011 is again $2 million," said Lee. "There are several ways to make a pledge or gift. A donation can be made online through your checking or savings account or debit or credit card, by mailing it to the DDD office or as a gift of stock through the Diocesan Catholic Foundation Office."

Deacon John Thaeler and his wife, Marcy, from Holy Family Parish, can’t see a future in the diocese without the DDD.

"DDD is the foundation of the Church in Utah," said Marcy Thaeler in her online testimonial. "It funds the formation of priests and deacons, encourages religious education and supports the Hispanic ministries."

"This program helped me in my education for the priesthood," said Father Javier Virgen, Diocese of Salt Lake City Vicar for Hispanic Affairs. "I’m so grateful for this program and the opportunity it gave me to become a priest."

Sue Scheuer of Our Lady of the Light Mission, enjoys giving to the DDD, according to her testimonial. "When I give my small amount, it is such a wonderful feeling," she said. "I always say, today for them, tomorrow for my children. It’s like planting a little seed, and when I see the fruits of it, it’s an amazing feeling."

One woman raised her DDD pledge from $5 to $7 a month, which does make a difference, Lee said "It’s nice to have large donations, but the small donations add up and that is how we reached $2 million."

The DDD website is dioslcddd.org. Adding a comment or reading the testimonials may be done by following the online instructions.