By Michael F. Flach
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 7/10/03)

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde has identified three "priority" areas to which he would like the Central Administrative Offices of the diocese to expand their focus in the fiscal year which began July 1, according to Father Daniel Maher, diocesan Episcopal Vicar for Finance.

The first area follows a mandate from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) that each diocese establish an Office for the Protection of Children and Young People. The diocese will hire an office director in the coming months to further guide the diocese in its implementation of the plan proposed by the bishops at their June 2002 meeting in Dallas.

The diocese expects the audit team from the USCCB’s Office for the Protection of Children and Young People, led by Kathleen McChesney, to arrive the week of Sept. 22. McChesney’s office will present its national study to the bishops by the end of the year.

The diocese has been conducting an Information Technology (IT) Study for several months to determine specific areas of communication and technology that need to be enhanced. Kimberly Murphy has spearheaded this effort, with the cooperation of six pilot parishes. An investment of equipment, training and staff to permit the effective completion of this technological enhancement is the second priority identified by Bishop Loverde, Father Maher said.

Finally, the diocesan Capital Campaign, "Rooted in Faith — Forward in Hope," is drawing toward the conclusion of phase two with pledges exceeding $110 million. The total earmarked for diocesan projects at present is $67 million, while the parish total stands at $43 million. Two new diocesan high schools, a priest’s retirement home, a Catholic Charities operated homeless shelter and a spirituality center are among the campaign’s main objectives.

The diocese plans to hire a chief financial officer to coordinate the management of the more complex financial landscape faced by the diocese in the wake of the capital campaign. This additional key staff person would also help structure the ordinary fiscal operations of the diocese to be responsive to the careful budget planning and cash flow management which will be required by the anticipated growth of the diocese in the coming years, Father Maher said.

In addition, several other diocesan offices are expected to expand this fiscal year. The Spanish Apostolate Office recently added Father Richard Mullins as a part-time member of its staff to provide additional support to the spiritual needs of the Hispanic community.

The Office of Youth Activities will hire an assistant director in an effort to expand its current offering of programs for youth. The Office of Stewardship and Development will also seek to hire an assistant director to permit additional focus on stewardship and planned giving programs. The Employee Benefits Office also will hire an additional staff person to assist in its benefits administration for the growing pool of employees in the diocese’s parishes and schools.

Father Maher outlined the bishop’s priorities during a July 1 supervisors’ meeting at the Chancery.