2009 may have been a down year for the economy, but the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Annual Catholic Appeal weathered the storm without major disruptions. As of Dec. 23, the appeal had generated $13.8 million in paid donations, up $200,000 from 2008. A total of $15.6 million had been pledged, also up $200,000 from the prior year, said Barbara Shea Collins, director of development services. There was still time for those donations to come in, she said, as many donors — especially those who give large gifts — make them at the end of the year. The number of donors who stayed steady at roughly 92,000, Collins said, while estate gifts — money willed to the annual appeal – more than doubled to $1.1 million. The appeal, in which the archdiocese asks parishioners to pledge donations to support everything from Catholic schools in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods to the Respect Life Office, generally runs from early February through the end of the year. Donors can spread their gifts out over that time or make a single contribution. The campaign offers all Catholics a way to support the ministries of the archdiocese as a whole and to help their own parishes at the same time. Each parish is asked to discuss the appeal for three consecutive weekends — an introduction weekend, at which a homily recorded by Cardinal George is played; a commitment weekend, at which people are asked to fill out a pledge form during Mass (even if they choose to pledge nothing); and a follow up weekend, for people who may have missed the opportunity to pledge. If parishioners meet their parish's target for the Annual Catholic Appeal, any gifts in excess of the target remain in the parishes. In 2010, the appeal will have a theme of “They left everything and followed him,” (Lk 5:11) and focus on the theme of discipleship. “That haunting phrase describes a full and completely generous commitment,” Cardinal George wrote in a brochure promoting the 2010 appeal, asking Catholics to continue that commitment to help the church welcome, serve and support God’s people.