Because the faith community is a campus ministry that CSA helps support, he emphasizes that their generosity is an expression of gratitude.

“The way I draw attention to it is that this is a diocese-wide effort — this is not unique to St. Peter,” Father Finch said. “And one of the ways that we can show our appreciation for the fact that so many folks around the diocese are giving money that’s going to come back to a campus ministry is by participating ourselves.”

St. Peter is one of many parishes that has helped increase CSA participation in the Diocese of Austin. According to Lisa Rosenberger, associate director of the annual appeal, participation increased 11% during the 2025-2026 annual appeal — and 65% over the last three years.

The CSA funds more than 100 ministries and programs, including seminarian formation, retired priests, Catholic schools, religious education, campus ministry, Catholic Charities, and life, peace, and justice initiatives.

“When many families participate, it demonstrates that these ministries are supported by the whole community, not just a small group of major donors,” Rosenberger said.

For Father Finch, it is also helpful that eight of the diocese’s 50 seminarians hail from St. Peter, which serves students at Baylor University. “So, it’s people that they know and people that they spend time in college with,” he said.

One of those seminarians is Patrick Boyle, a seminarian in the Discipleship II stage studying at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving. He is thankful for all who support his journey to the priesthood, which can take as long as 10 years.

“Through your magnanimous support, you become a vessel of God’s grace for the faithful in our diocese by equipping the seminarians and priests of the diocese in their mission to inflame hearts with the love of God through the Word and the sacraments, to witness to his tender love, and to welcome new members into his mission, bearing great fruit for the kingdom,” Boyle said.

Thanks to the CSA, Matthew Perez, a seminarian from St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin who is studying at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, has the resources necessary for seminary classes, spiritual retreats and many other life-changing encounters with the Lord.

“As I study to become the priest God is calling me to be, programs like the CSA never cease to make me marvel at the profound love that dwells in the hearts of those who truly believe in the mission of the church and the future of the priesthood,” Perez said.

Father Mark Hamlet, a senior priest who retired in 2023, also benefited from the annual appeal when he was a permanent deacon, before he decided to pursue ordination to the priesthood after his wife passed away.

As pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Austin from 2012 to 2023, Father Hamlet invited participation while also encouraging inclusivity.

“Early on, I realized that my parish needed to build community — sacramental community,” he said. “As the parish community responded to lessons about participation, everything increased, not just money. Mass attendance increased, Communion lines grew longer, confessions increased. Couples came to get their secular marriages blessed in the church. Parish religious education expanded. Parish community and retreat programs expanded.”

Father Hamlet said, “Participation is much, much more productive than asking for money.”

During the last CSA, 16% of the diocese’s 150,000 families participated by either making a gift or praying for success of the annual appeal. Together, they raised over $9.2 million, far exceeding the $7 million goal.

“No gift is too small, and prayers count for families who cannot afford to participate financially,” Rosenberger said.

Her ultimate goal is to have 100% of families participate with a pledge, prayer or both.

“Just think about the good we could do to help people throughout our diocese if more people would participate and be a part of the mission!” she said.

Visit www.austindiocese.org/give to contribute to this year’s Catholic Services Appeal.