Appeal chair couple, Lisa and Steve Gott, to serve second consecutive year stumping for a mission they strongly support

Lisa and Steve Gott, chair couple of the Catholic Services Appeal, are members of St. Michael in Stillwater and have four children: Tyler, 22; Ryan, 19; Adam, 17; and Rachel, 15. Adam and Rachel attend Hill-Murray School in Maplewood.

Q How did you end up as the chair couple for the Catholic Services Appeal for the second consecutive year?

Lisa - We loved doing the work last year and believe so strongly in the Catholic Services Appeal and all of the programs that it supports that we were very honored to be asked [by the Development and Stewardship Office] to act as chair couple again this year.

Q What did you learn last year that may help you this year?

Steve - Last year, the participation rate was in the 30 percent range, in terms of the households out there. We’re looking to try to double that this year if we can.

Lisa - The participation rate stayed the same last year (as in previous Appeal years), but we had many more parishes reach their goal and go over their goal than in previous years. . . . Because of the economic challenges we’ve had, I think overall people were pleased with the results. Of course, we desperately need more of our parishioners to join in this mission. We strongly believe that the more volunteers within each parish that can be involved, then the more likely there’s going to be more people truly understanding the scope of what this Appeal is for and all the programs that it supports.

The more that people understand the purpose of the Appeal, we’re hoping more conversations will come up at parish meetings, doughnut Sundays, in the atriums after Masses. The more it is talked about within the parish community, we’re hoping that more people will see the need to participate.

Steve - We’re hoping that each parish priest will designate a chairperson or chair couple to help him with the campaign this year by coordinating follow-up phone calls, making sure that brochures are put in the bulletins, that announcements are made, keeping the parish updated on the progress of the parish in meeting its goal.

Q Are there any special ministries supported by the Appeal that you find especially compelling?

Lisa - We’ve liked how the Appeal supports Catholic education, which is near and dear to our hearts. Our children have had the privilege and opportunity to spend most of their grade school and high school years in Catholic education. Knowing that this Appeal helps Catholic education — helps all children of all walks of life — that’s really important to us.

Also, we all see the need of more priests in our archdiocese, within the country. . . . We need to help our priests any way we can and encourage more young men to enter the seminaries, knowing they can get financial help.

Q Is there anything you would like to add?

Steve - We’re looking forward to a successful 2010 Catholic Services Appeal. Hopefully, with the economy changing a bit, we can implement a few different ideas on how to increase participation and we can reach our goal and exceed it this year.

Lisa - We would like to encourage all parishioners to look for the video that should be shown at all the Masses the weekend of Feb. 6-7. This video is a wonderful overview of what the Catholic Services Appeal is all about and what a worthy organization this is and how much we need everybody’s participation.

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