Question and Answers
Q: What does “One Campaign: Two - Appeals” mean?
For the best use of our time and parish resources, it was determined that we conduct an annual appeal concurrently with a capital appeal.
Q: What is an annual appeal?
The annual appeal is a yearly request for parishioners to make a commitment of time, talent and treasure to support the work and ministries of the parish for the coming fiscal year (July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012). We need volunteers to share their time and talent with the parish in many different ways. It could be assisting the school of religion program, visiting the sick, reading at the Masses or just offering to assist in the parish office. We will also be asking parishioners to make a commitment of treasure to support the regular operating budget of the parish.
Q: What is a capital appeal?
The capital appeal is a five-year effort to raise money to pay off our parish debt. This is an extra sacrifice asked of parishioners and is in addition to the annual appeal commitment. It is critical that the capital appeal does not negatively impact the annual appeal since the annual appeal funds the parish ministries and programs.
Q: Why are we doing a campaign at this time?
Through the One Campaign - Two Appeals effort, we will:
Encourage parishioners to commit a portion of their time, talent and treasure to support our parish ministries Raise the necessary funds to retire our parish debt and to finish Ledwidge Hall
Provide opportunities for members to build a stronger bond with the larger parish community
Increase parishioner’s understanding of stewardship and encourage everyone to become more generous with their time, talent and treasure
Q: What is stewardship?
Stewardship is a two step process starting with the recognition that all that we have, including our total being, have been given to us by our loving God. The second step involves the question, what are we to do with our gifts from God? The answer found in the Gospels is build the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Q: Who is Church Development?
Church Development has successfully worked with nearly 200 churches throughout the Midwest. They emphasize prayer, parishioner involvement and communication in their fundraising campaigns. Bill Cordaro is our primary consultant. He has 25 years of experience as a professional lay minister within the Catholic Church. He has led over 25 campaigns for Church Development in the last 6 years.
Q: What is the cost of the outside consultant?
We have agreed to pay Church Development $53,000 or no more than 8% of what is committed to the campaign. The Parish Council, after looking at the amount of time involved in conducting a campaign, did not believe Msgr. Murphy, Tim Long or our parish volunteers had the time or the expertise to manage a successful campaign. We have been very happy with the work of Church Development thus far and believe it is a good investment for our church.
Q: When will we be asked to make a commitment to the campaign?
June 4-5 is commitment weekend. We ask that parishioners bring their commitment cards with them to Mass on this weekend, or mail the cards to the church offices.
Q: What can we expect from the campaign leading up to Commitment Weekend, June 4-5?
We know making a commitment to the campaign will be a sacrifice for our parishioners. We are encouraging members to begin praying now, asking God to guide you in your decision. The different campaign teams will be assisting you with your decision by providing newsletters, speakers, informational events and opportunities to pray individually and collectively. Campaign leaders want parishioners to make this a spiritual journey. We will reflect on what it means to be good stewards of God’s gifts, knowing that these gifts are to be used to build God’s Kingdom on earth. You are asked to do your part:
ü Start praying now
ü Volunteer on one of the teams
ü Read the newsletters
ü Speak with fellow parishioners
ü Attend the informational events
ü Complete and turn in your commitment card on Commitment Sunday.
Q: How can we involve our children in the Campaign?
An old teaching adage says:
Tell me, I forget.
Show me, I remember.
Involve me, I understand.
If children are going to understand stewardship, it is important to involve them both in the Campaign activities and in the decision-making process that leads to a family’s commitment to the Campaign. Here are some suggestions for involving children in stewardship.
Hold a family meeting to discuss what commitment the family will make to the Campaign and how it will affect the family. Encourage the children to express their feelings. Have the children help determine ways the family can cut back on other expenses to fulfill their commitment. One family suggested giving up cable TV for the campaign. Children will take greater interest and ownership in the action if they are involved in the decision.
Invite the children to give up something or to do something special to raise money for the Campaign. Connect their sacrifice and work to the vision of having a more welcoming church and sharing Jesus’ story with more children.
Teach children that taking the time to pray is good stewardship. Prayer is giving time to God. Prayer is also a gift we can give to someone else when we pray for them.
Coordinate with the religious education classes as they study stewardship. After class, ask your child what they learned and tell them what you are doing to be good stewards.
Q: What does “One Campaign: Two - Appeals” mean?
For the best use of our time and parish resources, it was determined that we conduct an annual appeal concurrently with a capital appeal.
Q: What is an annual appeal?
The annual appeal is a yearly request for parishioners to make a commitment of time, talent and treasure to support the work and ministries of the parish for the coming fiscal year (July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012). We need volunteers to share their time and talent with the parish in many different ways. It could be assisting the school of religion program, visiting the sick, reading at the Masses or just offering to assist in the parish office. We will also be asking parishioners to make a commitment of treasure to support the regular operating budget of the parish.
Q: What is a capital appeal?
The capital appeal is a five-year effort to raise money to pay off our parish debt. This is an extra sacrifice asked of parishioners and is in addition to the annual appeal commitment. It is critical that the capital appeal does not negatively impact the annual appeal since the annual appeal funds the parish ministries and programs.
Q: Why are we doing a campaign at this time?
Through the One Campaign - Two Appeals effort, we will:
Encourage parishioners to commit a portion of their time, talent and treasure to support our parish ministries Raise the necessary funds to retire our parish debt and to finish Ledwidge Hall
Provide opportunities for members to build a stronger bond with the larger parish community
Increase parishioner’s understanding of stewardship and encourage everyone to become more generous with their time, talent and treasure
Q: What is stewardship?
Stewardship is a two step process starting with the recognition that all that we have, including our total being, have been given to us by our loving God. The second step involves the question, what are we to do with our gifts from God? The answer found in the Gospels is build the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Q: Who is Church Development?
Church Development has successfully worked with nearly 200 churches throughout the Midwest. They emphasize prayer, parishioner involvement and communication in their fundraising campaigns. Bill Cordaro is our primary consultant. He has 25 years of experience as a professional lay minister within the Catholic Church. He has led over 25 campaigns for Church Development in the last 6 years.
Q: What is the cost of the outside consultant?
We have agreed to pay Church Development $53,000 or no more than 8% of what is committed to the campaign. The Parish Council, after looking at the amount of time involved in conducting a campaign, did not believe Msgr. Murphy, Tim Long or our parish volunteers had the time or the expertise to manage a successful campaign. We have been very happy with the work of Church Development thus far and believe it is a good investment for our church.
Q: When will we be asked to make a commitment to the campaign?
June 4-5 is commitment weekend. We ask that parishioners bring their commitment cards with them to Mass on this weekend, or mail the cards to the church offices.
Q: What can we expect from the campaign leading up to Commitment Weekend, June 4-5?
We know making a commitment to the campaign will be a sacrifice for our parishioners. We are encouraging members to begin praying now, asking God to guide you in your decision. The different campaign teams will be assisting you with your decision by providing newsletters, speakers, informational events and opportunities to pray individually and collectively. Campaign leaders want parishioners to make this a spiritual journey. We will reflect on what it means to be good stewards of God’s gifts, knowing that these gifts are to be used to build God’s Kingdom on earth. You are asked to do your part:
ü Start praying now
ü Volunteer on one of the teams
ü Read the newsletters
ü Speak with fellow parishioners
ü Attend the informational events
ü Complete and turn in your commitment card on Commitment Sunday.
Q: How can we involve our children in the Campaign?
An old teaching adage says:
Tell me, I forget.
Show me, I remember.
Involve me, I understand.
If children are going to understand stewardship, it is important to involve them both in the Campaign activities and in the decision-making process that leads to a family’s commitment to the Campaign. Here are some suggestions for involving children in stewardship.
Hold a family meeting to discuss what commitment the family will make to the Campaign and how it will affect the family. Encourage the children to express their feelings. Have the children help determine ways the family can cut back on other expenses to fulfill their commitment. One family suggested giving up cable TV for the campaign. Children will take greater interest and ownership in the action if they are involved in the decision.
Invite the children to give up something or to do something special to raise money for the Campaign. Connect their sacrifice and work to the vision of having a more welcoming church and sharing Jesus’ story with more children.
Teach children that taking the time to pray is good stewardship. Prayer is giving time to God. Prayer is also a gift we can give to someone else when we pray for them.
Coordinate with the religious education classes as they study stewardship. After class, ask your child what they learned and tell them what you are doing to be good stewards.
