MERRILLVILLE – There are many support programs that impact people all over the Diocese of Gary. These important acts of stewardship are funded out of the Catholic Services Appeal.
“We give back because God has been generous with us,” said Judy Holicky, coordinator of stewardship and development for the Diocese of Gary.
Funding goes to support Catholic Charities, which provides financial education and food, along with rent assistance and counseling. CSA funds the diocesan vocational ministries: seminarians, diaconate, and lay minister training, scholarships to support Catholic school families and services such as the tribunal, marriage and family life ministries and Youth and Young Adult ministries.
“The Church is made of God’s people,” said Holicky. “Our CSA gifts strengthen the Church with the ministries that they provide. We are part of the Body of Christ, We are not alone. We never know when we or someone we love might be on the receiving end of the services provided by the CSA ministries.”
“Your CSA dollars provide the funds so that the Church can provide the services that we, as individual persons or individual parishes, cannot provide,” she added.
Holicky explained that stewardship is about returning a portion of God’s blessings, and gave a reminder that Jesus taught people to care for one another. CSA, she stated, is one way of being the Good Samaritan, giving instead of turning our heads and walking away.
Holicky also referenced the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) letter titled “Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response.”
“It’s a short read but it outlines how we can develop our giving culture through stewardship,” she said. “Stewardship is biblical and it goes back to the book of Genesis. When we share our blessings with others, God increases those blessings.”
Holicky shared that a priest's mission is to provide spiritual direction, the sacraments, and spiritual support, pointing out that asking for financial support is not always taught in the seminary and is difficult for some pastors. As parishioners, she said, we need to give generously because “the need is great and because God continues to bless us.”
A CSA Training Day for parishes will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville.
Last year, the Office of Stewardship introduced a resource portion to the CSA web page referred to as mission support at its training day. This year, the office is expanding the training to include videos and social media to help pastors create and send effective parish letters and messages.
“We put together lots of media tools in 2024,” said Holicky. “This year, we will be focusing on teaching our parishes how to access that media and use it wisely. We are also creating handouts for those of us who like to read off a printed page. I love our media resources, but I also like to hold information in my own hands, not always see it on the screen.”
In 2022, the diocese’s CSA focused on priestly vocations with Father Nate Edquist. In 2023 it focused on the vocation of marriage and how family life communicates our beliefs and how lay people can serve in the community through the sacrament of marriage.
“Vocations and family life are closely interconnected,” said Holicky. “I wanted to bring that message to our parishioners.”
Helping to deliver CSA messages though short diocesan videos in 2025 are Rose and Tom Ross, a couple very involved in parish ministry. They created a faith-filled home and their sons, Father Benjamin Ross and Father Robert Ross, although having experienced very different vocation paths, were both drawn to the priesthood.
“My advice to families (is to) live according to your Catholic Church, not according to the American Dream,” said Father Robert Ross. “Fully invest in the Catholic faith. I learned I did not need to keep up with other people. The Catholic Church says be humble, be holy.”
To give to CSA or for more information, visit dcgary.org/stewardship-and-development.