The Annual Diocesan Appeal of the Diocese of San Jose has provided annual operating expenses for diocesan programs for many years. Every year each parish is assigned a goal amount, based on a series of considerations, and parishioners volunteer to lead the drive.
This year’s overall diocesan goal was $5,489,484 and parishes which exceed their individual goals are granted rebates. During the ADA’s active phase, $6,250,000 was raised with $840,000 to be rebated.
An ADA Appreciation Reception was held May 15 at St. William Parish in Los Altos. Bishop Patrick J. McGrath gave special thanks and several awards to parishes which have continued to meet their goals.
Sustaining parishes which received the 10-year Sustaining Award include Church of the Ascension, Church of the Resurrection, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Santa Teresa Parish, St. Brother Albert Chmielowski Polish Mission, St. Elizabeth Parish, St. Frances Cabrini Parish, St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, St. Simon Parish and St. William Parish.
The Bishop’s Award

is presented to the parish which has the greatest increase in participation from the previous year and has reached its parish goal by the end of the active phase of the ADA. Bishop McGrath presented the 2010 award to St. Julie Billiart Parish.
Bishop McGrath and the ADA Office present the Stewardship Award to the parish that has gone above and beyond to ensure timely and accurate pledge record keeping. The 2010 award was given to St. Nicholas Parish.
Bishop McGrath thanked pastors and parish ADA chairpersons, gift processors and follow-up administrators for their efforts for the successful campaign along with the ADA Steering Committee and ADA staff.
The Annual Diocesan Appeal Steering Committee is chaired by Eugene Toomey. The ADA office is headed by Director of Stewardship and Development Bill Matthews, and his staff includes Christine Dindia, Melanie Lara, Evan Linick and Pilar Mateos.
Although the active phase of the ADA is now complete, donations are still being accepted for this year’s Appeal, Matthews said.