News

Personal challenge leads teen to Crozier gift

Eighth in a series on Bishop's Appeal

	YOUNGEST ONE: Katie Vincent, a junior at Notre Dame Academy, Green Bay, is the youngest member of the Crozier Society and is active in Ss. Peter & Paul Parish, Green Bay. (Rick Evans photo)

Editor's note: The annual Bishop's Appeal supports numerous services to help parishes, individuals and families.

High school junior Katie Vincent of Green Bay recalls a bit of advice she once received.

"Someone told me, 'The only way to learn more about your faith is to challenge it,'" she said.

Vincent took those words to heart, evident by her participation in the Bishop's Appeal. She not only made a gift to the Appeal, she joined the Crozier Society--for persons who give $500 or more.

"I challenged myself to reach my goal and in the process I learned so much about myself," she said. "I learned that if I put my mind to something I can do it. I was so excited to achieve my goal."

Why would a teenager give such a large gift to the Appeal? Why didn't she save the money for college?

Stepping Together in Faith 2003 Bishop's Appeal
Related articles ... from March 14, 2003 issue: • Students find another way ... service project beckons them from March 7, 2003 issue: • Youth urged: Dive into life, faith and trust in Jesus' help from Feb. 28, 2003 issue: • Helping parishes to build House of the Lord from Feb. 21, 2003 issue: • Theology talks tap into young adult interests from Feb. 14, 2003 issue: • Appeal helps couple make adoption possible from Feb. 7, 2003 issue: • Weekend helps couples avoid marital rocks • An Appeal based on the Gospel from Jan. 31, 2003 issue: • Stop and consider all the people Appeal helps • Pie chart showing how contributions to Bishop's Appeal are divided • TEC enriches and plants seeds

"It was something I talked over with my parents, and they were very supportive," said Vincent. "It's a big chunk of money, but I wanted to make a true commitment. I've been so lucky growing up with my family, friends and the opportunities I've had. I wanted to give something back. I wanted to use the money for something other than myself. It was a way to do something for my church and to support my bishop."

"The Bishop's Appeal helps so many people," she continued. "I've gotten to know many people from the diocese. The work of Sue Perrault (Ministry for Persons with Disabilities) touches many families. I'm thankful for everything Mr. (Lee) Nagel does for education. Diann Wimmer (diocesan director of Worship) helped my dad become a deacon. These people are like extended family. They've helped me discover my faith, so I wanted to do something to help them."

"Katie is a delightful young woman with an amazingly well developed sense of discipleship and community far beyond her years," said Perrault. "It's reflected in the choices she makes and the leadership she exhibits. Her understanding of stewardship as a way of life is a wonderful model, not only for her peers, but for all of us."

Made a pledge gift

Vincent made a pledge gift to the Appeal. That way she was able to spread out her donation over a period of time. Saving the money was not easy.

"I had to make some sacrifices," she said. "I had to save my pennies. There were times where friends would call to see if I could go to the movies or to the mall, and I would have loved to go, but I didn't because the Bishop's Appeal is a commitment. I was not going to just give some pocket change."

Vincent views her gift to the Appeal as an extension of her service hours. She volunteers at her parish, Ss. Peter & Paul, working at major fund-raisers including the Gourmet Meal and Mardi Gras, participating in the parish Care & Share program, a food drive for the needy and homebound, assisting with religious education, and cooking and serving meals at Room at the Inn, a homeless shelter. She is also active at Notre Dame Academy volunteering in the development office and serving as a member of the yearbook staff.

"I wanted to expand my service projects," said Vincent. "I'm becoming more involved with the Red Cross. I would like to volunteer at the Cerebral Palsy Center. Giving to the Bishop's Appeal was another way to help a larger group of people."

A year of journey

This year has been a journey in faith, said Vincent, who plans to attend a Catholic college to become a teacher. She will be confirmed in late April. Confirmation has helped her gain perspective on her commitment to service.

Vincent has been involved in service projects for as long as she can remember. Her parents, Dcn. Mike Vincent, director of religious education at Ss. Peter & Paul, and her mother, Doris, pastoral associate at St. John the Evangelist and St. Francis Xavier Cathedral parishes in Green Bay, have encouraged and supported her involvement.

"Mary Patterson, my Confirmation sponsor, asked me an important question," said Vincent. "She asked me if my service was something I wanted to do or was something I did because my parents wanted me to. I've realized that this is something that I love to do and something that I want to do."

Bishop's Appeal What: Bishop's Appeal, the Green Bay Diocese's annual fund-raiser to support diocesan programs and services offered to parishes and individuals. Where: All parishes in the diocese. When: Right now. How: Making a cash, check, credit card (Mastercard, Visa and Discover) or pledge donation. Materials have been sent to homes and also are available through parishes. Some employers offer matching gift programs, for which Catholic Charities may qualify, since it serves the general public; additional information is available through Human Resources departments. Theme: Stepping Together in Faith. Target: $4.8 million.

Vincent attended last year's Crozier Society Dinner with her parents. The experience was initially a bit intimidating, she said.

Enjoyed Crozier Dinner

"I kept thinking that people were probably wondering 'what is she doing here?'" she said. "Once they saw me with my parents and I was able to talk to a lot of them, they opened up to me. I had the opportunity to speak to all three bishops, which was wonderful. I also really liked the Bishop's Appeal video. It really touched me to see the work done to help so many children and families. I really didn't know that much about the Bishop's Appeal. The video was a good resource."

Vincent would like to continue her commitment to the Appeal, but at her age, she realizes the future brings some uncertainty.

"I'm not sure what will happen with college," she said. "I'm hoping I can get a very good scholarship. I really wanted to be a part of the Crozier Society, and I was able to do it. It's been very fulfilling. I've learned that I can draw happiness from other things than materialistic items. Life is much more than the materialistic things you own."