| Pilot Parishes St. Pius in Greensboro surpassed its initial campaign target, raising more than $2,100,000. Msgr. Anthony Marcaccio and the parish are now working on a challenge goal of $7,500,000 to fund the next phase of the development of the parish campus, which includes a Parish Life Center and a new Primary Education Center. With the unprecedented growth of the parish, doubling in size since 2005 and a projected growth of 30% by 2020, the parish is working to ensure its facilities and infrastructure can meet future needs of its parishioners.
Block I Parishes
Our Lady of the Highways in Thomasville surpassed its campaign goal of $255,000! Fr. Jim Turner is pleased with the enthusiasm his parishioners have shown thus far and is looking forward to finishing the final few weeks of their campaign above goal.
An Ambassador at Immaculate Heart of Mary in High Point shared a personal testimony with Fr. Vince Smith on the campaign:
“All in all, this experience has been an enriching one for me. Face to face meetings with families has proven to be a blessing for me. Indeed, there is much more involved with this campaign than money. I think the emphasis is on love. In my case, it is; I love God! Moreover, I am so grateful to God for all the many, many miraculous blessings in my life, I couldn’t say no to the request to serve in this way. I took myself out of my comfort zone, and God has surprised me by comforting and blessing me with energy, enthusiasm, and joy! Praise God!” – Anne Carr, Parishioner
At Holy Cross in Kernersville, Fr. Paul Dechant and the dedicated team of Ambassadors have been educating families on the pillars of this exciting endeavor. Ambassadors are enjoying their visits and the opportunities to “meet and reconnect with people in the parish.” One Ambassador recounted her experiences, “I feel proud when I hear the results growing each week and know I have been a small part of this success. In the end, I know I will take away something more than reaching a goal; I will take away new friendships – who could ask for anything more?”
Fr. Bob Ferris and his team of volunteers at St. Aloysius in Hickory held their first campaign reception this week. Seventy-four families came out to learn more about the Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love effort. Fr. Bob and volunteers recruited two additional Ambassadors who will make visits. At a recent meeting, a volunteer told the team that he “really likes visiting and talking to parishioners….I’ve really had a blast doing that.”
St. Matthew in Charlotte received more than $100,000 in commitments this week. The Leadership team is excited to begin meeting with parish families to share the Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love message. Parishioners recognize this effort provides them with a great opportunity to help their brothers and sisters in Christ throughout western North Carolina.
This week Fr. Larry LoMonaco and his team of volunteers at St. John the Evangelist in Waynesville surpassed their initial campaign target of $370,000, raising a total of $387,050 from 79 families! This weekend the parish will conduct its final in-pew appeal.
Friar Bill Robinson at Our Lady of Mercy in Winston-Salem has recruited a special task force from the parish’s Hispanic ministries to launch a major outreach effort that will include personal visits and two receptions. The response from early visits with the Hispanic community has been fantastic – volunteers have met with over 12 families and have raised significant funds from these visits.
Fr. Ken Whittington at St. Charles Borromeo in Morganton shared the Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love message with more than 50 parishioners at a special reception. Impressed by the good works accomplished by the effort, families contributed over $52,000 at the event.
Christ The King in High Point welcomed its first gifts to the campaign! During a special reception, Fr. Gnanapragasam Mariasoosai shared how investing in multicultural ministries is important to families at Christ the King. While families have just begun learning about the initiative, they are excited to support their parish.
Fr. Kottar and Ambassadors at St. Mary, Help of Christians in Shelby have been actively meeting with parishioners for the past three weeks. They have been covering in detail the plans for Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love, and the plans to expand the parish parking lot and install stained glass windows throughout the parish. Last week, Fr. Kottar received over $100,000 in commitments through personal visits.
Fr. Fred Werth, pastor at St. Andrew the Apostle in Mars Hill and Sacred Heart Mission in Burnsville, launched his campaign alongside his leadership team. This effort offers a chance for parishioners from both the parish and mission to grow together to strengthen the Catholic presence in the western part of the state.
Fr. Julio Dominguez at St. Francis of Assisi in Lenoir welcomed two new Ambassadors to his team after their recruitment reception. Eighteen gifts were received this week from families, almost tripling the total that had been received. Fr. Julio and his parishioners care deeply about strengthening Catholic Charities, as it supports more families throughout the Diocese. |
