ADA Parish Manual Resources

September 2023

Dear Pastor, ADA Coordinator and Friends, 

First - we would like to THANK YOU for the time and efforts you put into the Annual Diocesan Appeal each year! 

This year we have aligned our focus “To Support Welcoming and Foster Belonging,” to coincide with year one of “Building on the Synod," in the Diocese of Davenport. We are all called “To Meet, To Seek, To Follow.” The Diocese strives to serve you as you integrate these efforts within your parish community.  

You will see some changes in the ADA this year. To align with the Diocese’s Laudato Si Action Plan to be responsible stewards of the earth’s resources, more of the ADA offerings and resources will be available digitally on the diocesan website within the Stewardship pages. Additionally, the ADA will launch with digital information and donation access a few weeks before contribution flyers are mailed. Finally, to provide some separation between the end of the Upon this Rock capital campaign and the start of the ADA, the ADA will start a bit later than in past years. September 30-October 1 will be the digital launch, giving parishioners the option to forgo receiving paper mailers which will be sent for Appeal Weekend on October 7-8, 2023. Not only is this good for the environment, but it also provides cost savings and assists in improving the diocesan and parish databases for more accurate mailings. 

As always, we have provided you some helpful tools to guide you through a successful campaign. We have included several talking points addressing such things as: 
•    Why is the ADA so important?
•    What is the impact of the ADA?
•    Where does the Diocese receive funding and how does my gift help?
•    How is the ADA different from the Upon This Rock capital campaign?
•    What are the Educational Savings Accounts (ESA) created by the Student’s First Act?
•    How to set up recurring and planned giving?

It is our hope and desire for each of the 74 parishes to have a successful Annual Diocesan Appeal, engaging all congregations to advance stewardship and generosity within our diocesan community demonstrating the commitment To Support Welcoming and Foster Belonging in the Diocese of Davenport. All of the resources are available on the website.

Jennifer Praet
Director of Stewardship