By ETC staff
It was a milestone May 20 – that’s the day the Together for God’s Good Work capital campaign hit $20 million.
“Reaching this point shows that Catholic faithful realize how important the needs are that this campaign will address,” Bishop
Curtis Guillory, SVD, said. “It also shows their deep commitment to and love for the church.”
Funds raised in the capital campaign go toward a number of projects including endowments for the Infirm Priests’ Fund, youth and Catholic Charities, construction at the Catholic Pastoral Center and the Catholic Student Center at Lamar, and a development fund for Holy Family Retreat Center. Also in the $25 million target is $4 million for support of the local parishes.
“I am grateful to God and the faithful of the diocese for the generous response we have had thus far,” Bishop Guillory said. “I am confident that we will meet our goal so we can fulfill these needs.”
Another of the items the campaign will fund is the annual support of the diocesan ministries. Of the $25 million, $2 million of that will go to the 2010 Bishop’s Faith Appeal – the annual appeal that raises money to fund the operational expenses of the diocesan ministries.
Annually Bishop’s Faith Appeal helps fund 18 diocesan ministries and Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas. Instead of running two appeals this year, the BFA was combined with the capital campaign.
“The people of Southeast Texas are always so good to us in supporting the Bishop’s Faith Appeal,” said Letty Lanza, director of Stewardship and Communications. “All of our ministries are grateful to them for their gifts of time, talent and treasure.”
These ministries include Permanent Diaconate Formation, Office of Worship, ministry to African Americans, Hispanic, families, seafarers, those imprisoned and to the sick, and Communications Ministry.
“We know the people who usually support our annual appeal have a deep understanding of how important their donations are to these vital ministries,” Lanza said.
“And I think there are still some of our usual Bishop’s Faith Appeal donors who have not yet pledged to the capital campaign,” she said. “We are counting on them to come through. I know they will.”
All the parishes are currently active in their follow-up stage. The pastors and committees are trying to contact those who may not have had a chance to respond to the Together for God’s Good Work appeal. As of May 20, five of the churches in Southeast Texas had met their capital campaign parish target, with seven edging close. And as the ETC went to print, the total pledged has reached more than $20.7 million.
A form can be found on Page 10 for those who have not yet submitted their pledge to the capital campaign. You can also go online to the diocesan website at www.dioceseofbmt.org and make a gift.
