By Michael F. Flach
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 4/28/05)

The 2005 Bishop’s Lenten Appeal (BLA) has received more than $5.2 million in pledges and is well on its way toward the $5.5 million goal established by Bishop Paul S. Loverde.

The annual appeal is the primary source of funding for important diocesan ministries such as Youth Ministry, the Diocesan Mission in Banica, Catholic schools, Family Life, campus ministry, the hospital chaplaincy program at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, seminarian education, Catholic Charities and the Spanish Apostolate. This year’s theme is "United through the Eucharist, We Pray and Serve."

“'Profoundly grateful' hardly begins to describe how moved I am by the nearly 25,000 Bishop’s Lenten Appeal (BLA) gifts received to date," said Bishop Loverde. "To those of you who have chosen to partner or will soon join in support of the mission and ministries of our diocesan family of faith, I extend a heartfelt word of gratitude on behalf of the countless people impacted for the better through the BLA, including our priests, seminarians, children learning our faith, and the needy in our midst. This outpouring of support will allow us to continue meeting concrete needs and carrying out the mission of our diocesan Church."

Nearly 25,000 pledges have been received as of April 25, which equals the total number of pledges received in 2004. More than 7,000 people who contributed to last year’s effort have not yet given to the 2005 appeal.

This year’s BLA has benefited at the parish level from the assistance of lay chair people, as well as pastors and parish secretaries. Parishioners have responded quickly this year in making a gift or pledge, including 2,000 new donors.

St. Mary Parish in Alexandria leads the way among the 66 diocesan parishes with pledges totaling $228,254. Running a close second is St. Bernadette Parish in Springfield with $214,794. Holy Spirit Parish in Annandale ($207,535), All Saints Parish in Manassas ($182,065) and St. Louis Parish in Alexandria ($176,915) round out the top five.

St. Bridget of Ireland Mission in Berryville has achieved the highest percentage of donations (253 percent) over its goal. St. Joseph Parish in Alexandria (172 percent) was second, while St. Raymond of Penafort Parish in Fairfax Station (165 percent) was third.

Our Lady of the Shenandoah Mission in Basye has the highest percentage of participation with 51 percent. St. Peter Mission in Washington (45 percent), Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Parish in Arlington (44 percent), St. Paul Mission in Hague (40 percent) and the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington (40 percent) also achieved solid participation from their parishioners.

For additional information about this year’s campaign, visit the diocesan Web site at: www.arlingtondiocese.org.