ATLANTA--Eight parishes in the Archdiocese of Atlanta will appeal to their parishioners this fall not only for a renewal of stewardship but for a pledge toward the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal.

The parishes with the combined pilot program are the Cathedral of Christ the King, Holy Spirit Parish, Immaculate Heart of May Parish, Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, all in Atlanta, and All Saints Parish, Dunwoody, St. Andrew’s Parish, Roswell, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Smyrna and St. Marguerite d’Youville, Lawrenceville.

Traditionally stewardship, with its emphasis on time, talent and treasure, is conducted in parishes in early fall. Then in February and March the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal is conducted throughout the archdiocese with a stated goal of several million dollars to assist the major programs and needs of the wider North Georgia Church. This includes support for seminarian’s education, for new mission formation in the archdiocese, for Catholic Charities and other programs.

However, stewardship embraces the Annual Appeal, since it recommends the giving of a planned charitable donation over the year of 5 percent to the parish, 1 percent to the Appeal and 4 percent to other charities.

Msgr. Edward Dillon, vicar general, said that the pilot program hopes to strengthen the connection between the Appeal and stewardship.

Right now the total offertory annually from all parishes and missions of the archdiocese combined is about $40 million, he said. If people proportionately were giving 1 percent to the Annual Appeal, it would be about $8 million. In fact, last year the Appeal raised about $3.3 million.

“The Appeal participation rate is not bad from a national average basis. But it is poor when you consider (it with) the percentage of participation in stewardship,” Msgr. Dillon said.

As parishioners in these eight parishes reflect upon their gifts of time, talent and treasure this fall, they will also receive a letter from Archbishop John Donoghue explaining the needs of the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. Their Commitment Sunday will be Nov. 5. They will also receive a two-piece pledge card containing one pledge for the parish offertory and another pledge card for the 1996 Annual Appeal.

“We want parishioners to see the diocese as an integral part of their giving, because they are an integral part of the diocese,” Msgr. Dillon said.