TIM BLYDENBURGH
Observer-Dispatch

Cutbacks in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse won't have a major impact on Catholic Charities of Oneida-Madison Counties, officials said this week.

Catholic Charities agencies in six counties covered by the Syracuse diocese were asked to make suggestions of where they could cut budgets, in some cases in the 18 percent range, diocese spokeswoman Danielle Cummings said.

The diocese is also cutting 20 jobs, adjusting 13 others and making cuts including closing the eastern region Catholic schools office located in North Utica and moving its operations to Syracuse. The Utica area's Catholic schools, however, will remain open.

The underlying cause is a shortfall in the Hope Appeal last year of about $700,000, Cummings said.

Local Catholic Charities Executive Director Kathleen Eichenlaub said Tuesday that funding from the diocese makes up only a fraction of the agency's $7.5 million budget. Catholic Charities is part of the diocese but acts in a standalone fashion and receives significant funding from sources including government agencies and the United Way, Eichenlaub said.

In existence since 1926, the local Catholic Charities provides counseling, emergency services, parenting services, mental health services and job placement.

"We're holding our own right now," Eichenlaub said, adding that the agency fared OK in this year's state budget.

Camp Nazareth, located in the northern Oneida County community of Woodgate, is not expected to be affected, Cummings said. Travel and postage are among the expenses that will be cut, she said.

Income from the diocese's investments, which backs up shortfalls in the Hope Appeal was significantly down, she said. A portion of the Hope Appeal goes to Catholic schools.

The current Hope Appeal, which began in May, has passed the $2 million mark. The goal this year is $4.2 million, and officials are more optimistic, she said. Though the positions won't be restored, it is hoped that the staff cuts won't continue "year to year," she said.

The Rev. Richard Dellos, pastor of St. Joseph and St. Patrick Church and St. George's Lithuanian Catholic Church, said the Hope Appeal there has reached $11,000 of its $20,000 goal so far. Making that goal will be tough, "things being the way they are," he said. "It's pretty tough, we'll do the best we can," he said.