By Brian T. Olszewski, Catholic Herald Staff

ST. FRANCIS — Due to the generosity of those supporting the 2004 Catholic Stewardship Appeal, parishes, schools, and organizations will have an opportunity to provide even more service to their constituents.

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan is making available more than $200,000 in the form of grants. This represents the amount by which the goal of the CSA was surpassed. The grants, ranging from $500 to $10,000, are available to parishes, schools and organizations listed for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in the 2005 Official Catholic Directory.

In an e-mail to diocesan, parish and school administrators and staff, Archbishop Dolan stated, “Rather than absorb this money into the general revenues of the archdiocese, I asked our staff members to create a grant program that would put this money into our Catholic parishes, schools and agencies where so much meaningful work is happening.”

That “staff” will come from the office for development services, which is directed by Joan Feiereisen.

“We’re best set up to do it,” she said, noting that she and her staff had helped with the organization of the Catholic Community Foundation in 2001.

The request for a grant begins with submitting a one-page application and requested attachments no later than Monday, April 11. The application must be signed by a person authorized by the entity to make such requests, i.e., pastor, principal, executive director.

Archbishop Dolan has appointed a review board that will make the grant awards. Among board members are the archbishop’s advisory board for Catholic education; a member of the Catholic Charities’ board of directors; and a representative from the 2004 CSA leadership.

Decisions on the grant awards will be made and communicated by Wednesday, June 1, and awards will be disbursed by Friday, July 1. Every entity receiving a grant will be required to submit a report as to how it used the funds. This will be due Saturday, April 1, 2006.

Feiereisen noted that the archbishop had considered the possibility of establishing an endowment, but opted for the grant program.

“He said that we could distribute the cash right now and have a greater impact,” she said.

Feiereisen said that she is excited about being able to make this happen.

“It shows partnership. We are helping each other,” she said.

Further information about the grant program is available by calling (414) 769-3457.

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