From the Pastor:

Aaaah . . . Autumn! That wonderful season when leaves turn to gorgeous colors, young people return to school, and football games abound. Fall also is a season of giving, of sharing our time, talent and treasure. As we embrace the season, we are mindful of different ways we can support Risen Savior, and the larger Church, with our contributions of funding, resources and volunteerism. As we prepare for our annual stewardship appeal in October, it is a good opportunity to clarify the purpose and scope of different opportunities we have for giving at our parish:

Annual Pledge Drive (Operational support): Often referred to as “Stewardship Sunday,” this pledge campaign asks for regular giving from registered parishioners. These pledges, whether they are from envelopes or electronic giving, fund the overall operating expenses of the parish. Parish expenses include utilities, salaries, insurance, educational programming, and other resources required to make church life happen. For 2024, our operational expenses were budgeted at $2,138,765.00. In 2023, pledged envelope/electronic giving was $1,290,021.00 which was 76% of the overall collection.

Weekly Mass Collections (Operational support): These include pledge envelopes submitted by parishioners and monies given during collection time at mass. These “plate donations” also include cash donations made in person. In 2023, the cash donations accounted for $187,471 approximately 11% of parish operational revenue.

Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) (Corporate support): This annual appeal by Archbishop Hebda supports the ministries of our Archdiocese, benefitting all area Catholics. Programs supported by this appeal include funding for seminarians, Latino ministry programming, marriage and family life programming, all of which are vital for parishioners. Each parish in the Diocese is assigned a goal based on their overall income. For 2024, our goal is $85,761. Your generosity has helped us reach 52% of this goal. Significantly, the parish receives directly back 50% of what it raises in excess of the goal. These funds help the parish offset unexpected expenses. So, contributing to this annual appeal is a “win-win.”

Unified Appeal (Charitable support): At Church of the Risen Savior, we utilize a “unified appeal” approach for donations to charitable giving that supports the Catholic Church both locally and globally. Instead of receiving multiple envelopes or appeals, this approach consolidates them into one. Our unified appeal supports Operation Rice Bowl, Retirement Fund for the Religious, Archdiocese Military Chaplains, Catholic Home Mission, Global Solidarity Sunday, Peter’s Pence, World Mission Sunday, and Holy Land. Last year this program raised $18,753.88.

Capital Campaigns (Building projects-renovations): Whenever a parish builds new structures, renovates existing property, or replaces “big-ticket” items, a capital campaign is created. These campaigns require Archdiocesan approval and often financing all or part of the goal through the Archdiocese. These campaigns can involve pledges and/or specific donations. Examples at Risen Savior include the expansion of the sanctuary in 1989. Our parish is not engaged in a capital campaign at this time but may need these to cover the cost of a replacement elevator ($150.000.00) and a new roof ($1 million). Likewise, the Archdiocese has its own capital campaigns.

Missionary Appeals (Charity): Each summer, Church of the Risen Savior hosts a missionary priest or lay person who seeks donations for a particular Catholic service or cause. This summer we hosted Father MBiche on behalf of a project in Nigeria. Additionally, Risen Savior has received appeals from Cross Catholic Outreach, a non-profit Catholic organization that funds projects for the poorest of the poor in 28 different countries. These appeals are vital, as they expand our outreach and our awareness of Church on a global basis.

Planned Giving (Various purposes): Parishioners can elect to bequeath assets to Risen Savior in their will and through their estate planning. These can be specified for a specific purpose, or left to the discretion of parish leadership. Some are structured settlements that happen over a period, while others are a one-time gift. Our Parish Administrator, Sherwin Pasillos, can give you more information on these, as can an attorney, financial professional, or estate planner.

Other Opportunities (Charity): Church of the Risen Savior has fundraising weekends for our Sister Parish, St. Rose of Lima, in Gris Gris, Haiti. For over twenty years the funds collected have helped that parish to develop a vibrant school and sustainable sources of water. Risen Savior is also a generous supporter of 360 Communities, an interfaith non-profit organization that provides real-time assistance to people needing food, clothing, rental assistance, and other services. Our support includes both cash and food collections. Other examples include our annual Habitat for Humanity building project. Risen Savior contributes both labor and funds to make a house a reality.

 

Fr. Matthew Malek, OFM Conv, Pastor, Church of the Risen Savior, [email protected]