Remarkable Results, California Catholic Daily, February 17, 2009

"Remarkable Results"

California Catholic Daily
February 17, 2009

http://calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=fbc2d3f6-77c2-476d-a7c2-174f989edc8f

Stockton diocese says fund-raising going well amid ‘time of great economic uncertainty’

Despite “the current economic climate,” the Diocese of Stockton reports that Bishop Stephen Blair’s “Church for Tomorrow” campaign to raise more than $30 million by the end of May “has achieved remarkable results.”

According to a statement released by the diocese and published on its web site, “this campaign has raised more than $22 million in five-year pledges from over 5,000 families in the midst of this challenging economic climate.” So far, said the diocesan statement, 17 of the diocese’s 34 parishes “have completed successful campaigns.”

In the meantime, the diocese reported, “Bishop Blaire is personally approaching key leaders in the community for support. The rest of the parishes are preparing for their campaign efforts that will conclude at the end of May. In a time of great economic uncertainty, this display of generosity is an inspirational example of the human spirit and a testament to peoples’ faith in the Church. The commitments made to this program during this financial crisis are the essence of charity and compassion. Parishioners throughout the Diocese are responding to this historic effort that will provide for the spiritual, educational, and charitable ministries necessary for the expansion of Stockton’s Catholic population.”

Money raised from the campaign “will be directed solely to the parishes, ministries, and school” and “will remain separate and distinct from current Diocesan funds. Campaign funds will be deposited as part of the “Church for Tomorrow Fund” separate 501 (c) (3) charitable organization.”

Bishop Blair launched the effort in response to the rapidly increasing number of Catholics in the diocese. According to the diocesan statement, the Catholic population of the region “has increased an estimated 40% in the last ten years.”

The funds will be used, said the diocese, to “provide a direct infusion of financial assistance to existing parishes, establish a fund to develop new parishes, and assist poor parishes. The campaign will provide tuition assistance for elementary and secondary school students who wish to receive a Catholic education and fund the formation of lay leaders, training of catechists and deacons, and the continued education of ordained priests. The campaign will also allocate money to the recruitment and training of ministers who will develop the Diocese youth and young adult ministries. The effort will also allow the Diocese to provide counseling services for families through Catholic Charities and restore the Cathedral of the Annunciation. Finally, the campaign will provide for ongoing Diocesan Ministries funded by the Bishop’s Ministry Appeal in 2008 and 2009.”