In one of the parishes, the pastor told this story: A priest who was visiting a new community and wanted to send a letter to his family letting them know he had arrived safely. On his way to mail his letter, he met a young boy on the way and asked him for directions to the post office. To thank the boy’s kindness, he invited the lad to mass saying, “Just the way you helped me find the post office, I help the people find their way to heaven.” The boy looked a little surprised and said, “How can you? When you do not even know the way to a post office!” At this the congregation, who had been engaged in the priest’s story, laughed! But the intended message was sent: everyone was invited to fill their ADA envelopes and send them to the parish directly or through the post office.

At the second parish I visited, I listened to this humorous fable: Once a 100-dollar bill ran into his friend, a 20-dollar bill, in the grocery store. The 100-dollar bill was shocked at how old and tattered the 20-dollar bill looked. He asked what happened to him, and the 20-dollar bill responded that he had been all over the place: churches, schools, Walmart, and in some cases, in kids’ pockets. In response, the crisp 100-dollar bill said, “What a pity I hardly leave the banks and the wallets of the rich!” The ADA facilitator then invited the congregation to give their 100-dollar bills a change of scene and keep their overwrought $1 dollar bills safe, to prevent them from looking too old and tattered. The congregation roared!

Although making money is a serious business, we need a little sense of humor, especially where we must awaken the generosity in people who are able and willing to donate money in any amount. Stories and anecdotes that align with ADA’s goals are, indeed, an appropriate way to pitch an “ask.” In fact, adding a bit of humor to the urgency may be the right formula for inspiring generosity. From a pastoral perspective, my parish visits helped better prepare me to give my speech to my community to help us actualize my parish, St. Justin’s, ADA goal.

It is not always easy to ask for money, but it is necessary, and the ADA is an annual event that helps the diocese to run its course as the appeal helps with various ministries, alleviates the effects of poverty, and supports programs that provide tangible aid for the homeless and destitute. The bishop cannot do it alone. ADA is one of the avenues to identify helping the most fragile of our human family is a challenge, but with a little humor to inspire generosity, we may come out victorious by reaching our goals.