Finishing Strong

Published
FFHL Logo

June 16, 2014

Issue 36

Finishing Strong

“It’s not how you start, but how you finish,” the old saying goes, and it certainly applies to some Block II parishes that have completed campaigns over the past few weeks. For the fifth straight week the Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love effort has seen increases of more than $1,000,000. For parishes that continue to campaign, and especially the six parishes which will host their first Commitment Weekend this coming weekend, here are some tips to maximize your success:

 

*    Personally visit with as many families as possible, even if the campaign has been publicly announced at Mass;

 

*    Drive attendance to receptions with RSVP phone calls;

*        Follow up on mailed literature, to answer questions and receive decisions;

*    Stress the importance of participation to your parishioners at Commitment Weekends;

*        Encourage gifts of equal sacrifice, not equal gifts; and

*    Emphasize the success of the overall campaign, and your parish’s opportunity to demonstrate leadership as well.

Remember we’re not asking for ourselves but for a higher purpose – the work of the Church.

Campaign Statistics

  

*A portion of the Leadership Gifts Phase total raised is shared with parishes, therefore the overall total is less than the sum of the individual phases.

Individual parishes were offered the opportunity to set a challenge goal over and above their FFHL goal. In addition, parishes receive a benefit from surpassing their regular FFHL goal. All dollars raised are included in these totals.

* Retired, but pastor when campaign was conducted.

Good News
 

Block Two

Thank you to the generous families at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Charlotte, Fr. Vincent Finnerty, and the campaign team for their hard work on the Forward in Faith, Hope and Love campaign. At the final Commitment Weekend, families committed more than $50,000, increasing the total raised to $1,594,450, or 229% of the campaign target.

Fr. Larry Heiney at Holy Angels in Mt. Airy held the first Commitment Weekend, securing more than $50,000 towards the campaign goal. The growth of the diocese is paralleled at Holy Angels, and the parish looks forward to using its share of funds for the construction of a new Church.

Msgr. John McSweeney and the Leadership Team at St. Matthew in Charlotte hosted a special reception to share details of the Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love effort. Msgr. McSweeney spoke about the “phenomenal growth going on throughout the diocese.” He reminded families about rising costs for seminarians and pointed out that “our young seminarians are the future.”

Fr. John Hanic at St. John Baptist de La Salle (North Wilkesboro) and St. Stephen (Elkin) hosted the first Commitment Weekend for both the parish and mission. Families committed more than $80,000 and appreciated hearing about Fr. Hanic’s experience in the diocese, witnessing the growth in recent decades, and the urgent need to provide a strong future for the Catholic family.

Families at Holy Family in Clemmons continue to provide overwhelming support for this important effort. Families committed more than $120,000, recognizing the importance of strengthening not only Holy Family’s parish life, but also the broader ministries that impact our Catholic community: Catholic Charities, Catholic Education, and Clergy Support.

Fr. Pat Cahill at St. Eugene in Asheville welcomed a special gift from a parishioner who is passionate about the local case of building seven new classrooms at Asheville Catholic.  While St. Eugene is still welcoming gifts of all sizes to their campaign, this parishioner has committed to pledge “whatever remains to reach our goal of $2,100,000.”

Fr. Christopher Gober at St. Lucien in Spruce Pine completed the campaign with a successful Commitment Weekend propelling the parish campaign to $119,720 of their $115,000 goal. Congratulations to the campaign efforts at St. Lucien!

More than fifty families joined Fr. Carmen Malacari at Holy Spirit in Denver. Fr. Carmen shared his excitement to witness the continuous growth of their parish and of the diocese; he shared, “we now look forward to responding to the needs of our future faith family.” The campaign at Holy Spirit has achieved more than 140% of the $740,000 goal and will now receive every additional pledged dollar!