As the Archdiocesan Stewardship Appeal celebrated the success of its 2012 campaign last week in Cardinal Spellman Center at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, Cardinal Dolan had every reason to feel grateful and proud of the work that has been accomplished on behalf of the Appeal since the beginning of the year.

After all, this is the third consecutive year that the Appeal has reached a goal that was set $1 million higher than the previous year. With pledges still being collected, the totals have already exceeded $19 million.

At last week’s dinner, parish volunteers were suitably lauded for their performance in working in coordination with their pastors and with staff members of the Appeal office to advance the cause of this year’s campaign. The festive atmosphere was made even brighter by the roll call of representatives of each of the archdiocese’s 10 boroughs and counties, who enthusiastically reported the pledges recorded in each of their regions. Another set of longtime volunteers was inducted into the Appeal Hall of Fame.

Much as it is important to recognize the work of those who help to make the Appeal successful year after year, we should never lose sight of the good work and ministries that are sustained by the generosity of Appeal donors. The six objectives of the annual Appeal are to many a familiar litany, but they bear repeating just the same: support for needy parishes and schools, $7.5 million; academic and spiritual formation, $5.5 million; works of charity, $2.5 million; retired priests and religious, $1.25 million; clergy preparation, $1.25 million; and specialized services, $1 million.

Under the umbrella of its longtime theme, Sharing God’s Gifts, the annual Stewardship Appeal reaches out with the recognition that each of us has received gifts from God and we are each called to share those gifts with one another in gratitude. In addition to monetary gifts, parishioners are encouraged to volunteer their time and talents to support the evangelical mission of Jesus Christ and his Church. Sharing God’s Gifts is the essence of stewardship, and its application in the lives of so many in the archdiocese helps to make the Appeal work so well year after year.

Many parishes have already reached their Appeal goal, as the advertisements in this issue note. While that accomplishment is very laudable, it should also be noted that once a parish exceeds its goal, it receives 100 percent of every additional dollar raised.

Of course, a campaign like this would not be possible without the leadership of many, including the pastors of parishes in the archdiocese and the Appeal staff under the direction of Channon Lucas, director of the Stewardship Appeal, and Helen Lowe, executive director of the archdiocesan Development Office.

If you have not made your gift, please consider doing so today. Efforts are still being made by the Appeal staff to increase the number of donors to the campaign, another important goal.

In expressing his gratitude for the success of this year’s Stewardship Appeal campaign, Cardinal Dolan rightfully paid tribute to the generosity of the parishioners of the archdiocese who so faithfully share God’s gifts with others. Their example is an inspiration that makes many good things possible.