Catholics donate $1 million to missions

by Jordan McMorrough
Today's Catholic

Archbishop Patrick F. Flores and Msgr. Balty Janacek, archdiocesan director of the Old Spanish Missions, look over the check for $1 million at the press conference.
Photo by Jordan McMorrough

SAN ANTONIO • Archbishop Patrick F. Flores presented a $1 million check to the Las Misiones capital campaign on Oct. 28. The $1 million commitment is made possible by the Archbishop’s Appeal, which Catholics throughout the archdiocese support annually.
“I am most grateful to our archdiocese community and their recognition of the importance of the annual Archbishop’s Appeal. Their financial gifts help many organizations that serve the people throughout the archdiocese,” said Archbishop Patrick F. Flores. “Because of their generosity, the mission churches will continue to serve the San Antonio community for many generations.”

    He added, “The church buildings at Mission San José, Mission Espada, Mission San Juan and Mission Concepción are delicate, and are the only links we have to the times and culture of our ancestors.”
    During a press conference at the chancery, Archbishop Flores and Auxiliary Bishop Patrick Zurek announced the financial support toward the restoration and preservation of the four mission churches, with the presentation of a check in the amount of $1 million from the Archbishop’s Appeal. The donation will be paid in $100,000 increments over the next 10 years.
    The Archbishop’s Appeal underwrites a wide range of priestly ministries, social ministries, pastoral outreach, evangelization outreach and educational causes throughout the San Antonio community. The goal for the 2004-2005 Archbishop’s Appeal is $1.75 million.
    This year, the appeal adds The Border Organization, Catholic Charities, San Antonio Food Bank, St. Peter/St. Joseph Children’s Home, Seton Home, Pilgrim Center of Hope, Assumption Seminary, the Priest’s Pension Fund and the Las Misiones capital campaign for the restoration of the old Spanish missions, to the nearly two dozen entities it has supported in the past.
    “I am humbled by the generosity of the Catholic community,” said Msgr. Balty Janacek, arch-diocesan director of the Old Spanish Missions, Inc. “Thank you for your support of the Archbishop’s Appeal and the mission churches.”