Our Lady of Grace held commitment weekend in Greensboro and welcomed 146 gifts for more than $277,000. Parishioners are motivated by Our Lady of Grace’s commitment to retire the debt on their new Parish Life Center. Father Eric Kowalski is grateful for the generosity of parishioners.
Fr. Patrick Winslow hosted Kick-off Weekend at St. Thomas Aquinas in Charlotte. Families responded with gifts totaling $191,495. Fr. Winslow reminded parishioners that unlike their recent parish capital campaign, Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love is about people more than bricks & mortar.
St. Joseph in Charlotte surpassed its target, raising $424,850 from 291 families! St. Joseph will now receive 50% of all additional pledges towards the parish’s new columbarium. Fr. Tri Truong has been humbled by the generosity of all the parish families and thanks them for their support.
*Please note that St. Joseph’s first commitment weekend raised $274,000. It was incorrectly indicated at $174,000 in last week’s newsletter.
Fr. Mark Lawlor hosted Kick-Off weekend at St. Vincent de Paul in Charlotte to offer families a first opportunity to make a decision regarding their participation in Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love. St. Vincent de Paul raised more than $172,000 from 70 generous families, which will help retire the debt on the new Ministry Center.
Fr. Roger Arnsparger hosted the final week of St. Mark receptions in Huntersville to provide families an additional opportunity to learn about the important aspects of Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love. While parish families heard Fr. Arnsparger detail the aspects of the effort, attendees also shared their own vision for the future. One family thanked Catholic Charities for assisting in the adoption of their child while another acknowledged her participation was motivated by the impact of the Priest Retirement fund has on our dedicated leaders.
During the second commitment weekend, Fr. Frank Seabo and parish families at Holy Infant in Reidsville concluded the Forward in Faith effort, raising an additional $40,000, which is 81% of its goal. Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love will provide Holy Infant with the additional funding necessary to fulfill its dream of a new parish center.
Our Lady of the Annunciation in Albemarle received a generous gift of $50,000 from a family foundation. Families understand the importance of supporting the great works of Catholic Charities, assisting in clergy retirement and formation, creating a vibrant Catholic education system and addressing the direct needs of Our Lady of the Annunciation.
Fr. Michael Buttner and Fr. Stephen Hoyt at Holy Family in Clemmons celebrated the success of Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love with a lay testimonial from the Campaign Chair at all Masses. Holy Family has secured more than $425,000 in the past four weeks!
Fr. Larry Heiney at Holy Angels in Mt. Airy offered all families an opportunity to participate in Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love during the first and second Commitment Weekend. Seventy-four families responded to Fr. Larry’s appeal that highlighted the initiative’s support of Catholic Charities and Faith Formation. Families pledged more than $228,000.
Fr. Anthony Forte at St. Benedict the Moor (Winston-Salem) and Good Shepherd (King) completed both campaigns securing $159,000 and $150,000, respectively, through personal visits, a campaign mailer, and two commitment weekends. One hundred and eleven families responded to Fr. Forte’s appeal that will help both churches make a number of upgrades to their parish campuses.
Msgr. John McSweeney hosted the final Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love reception for the effort at St. Matthew in Charlotte. Parishioners recognized the importance of expanding the Faith Formation Endowments to support the hundreds of students enrolled in the St. Matthew faith formation programs. These programs present children with rich opportunities to grow closer to God and deepen their spiritual lives, both on an individual basis and as a community of faith. All parish households will be invited to make their decision at Commitment Weekend on July 19/20.
In a recent testimonial to Fr. Vince Curtin at St. Therese in Mooresville, an Ambassador shared his inspiration for participating in the campaign and the need to ensure a strong Church for future generations. “Our diocese was only established 40 years ago in response to the growing number of Catholic families moving to western North Carolina. As such, this small number of families provided for their local parish and some of the diocesan-wide ministries. Today we are being asked to look forward and assist in building a stronger foundation for our parish and diocese.Forward in Faith, Hope and Love seeks to build this foundation for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.”
