You Will Be My Witnesses Campaign
A Campaign for the Rockford Diocese
From The Pastor
Our parish is participating in the Diocese of Rockford’s
“You Will Be My Witnesses” Capital Campaign, a diocesan-wide effort to strengthen our parishes and support important ministries throughout Northern Illinois.
This campaign is more than a fundraising initiative. It is a call for all of us to renew our mission as disciples of Jesus Christ and to strengthen the future of the Church in our diocese.
Through the “You Will Be My Witnesses” Capital Campaign, funds will support:
• Parish renewal and local parish projects
• Evangelization and ministry throughout the diocese
• Support for parishes in need
• Important diocesan ministries and facilities
You can learn more about the vision and goals of this campaign by watching the campaign video.
Dear Parish Family,
At the heart of Christian life is gratitude. Everything we have is a gift from God, and our giving is a response to His generosity. In the Church, we typically speak of three distinct ways we are invited to give. First, there is our regular offertory giving. This is our primary and ongoing support of the parish. It sustains everything we do week to week—the celebration of the Mass, the sacraments, the formation of our children, our outreach to those in need, and the daily life of the parish and school. This is foundational. For many, this is guided by the biblical principle of tithing—giving a percentage of our income back to God. Second, there is the diocesan appeal, which takes place each year. Commitment weekend is May 2/3, 2026, and the theme is I Will Come to You. This supports the mission of the Church beyond our parish— seminarian formation, Catholic Charities, diocesan ministries, and assistance to parishes in need. This, too, is an important part of our responsibility
as members of the wider Church.
Finally, there is the capital campaign. This is different. A capital campaign is not part of our ordinary yearly giving. It is an extraordinary invitation,
for a limited period of time, to make a sacrificial gift to address significant needs both here in our parish and across the diocese.
It is about strengthening the Church not just for today, but for the future.
A gift to the capital campaign should not replace your regular offertory or your support of the diocesan appeal. Rather, it is an invitation to give
above and beyond these commitments, each according to one’s means.
Let me offer an example. A family striving to tithe 10% of their income might already be giving regularly to the parish and contributing to the diocesan appeal. During the campaign, they might prayerfully consider an additional gift often structured in a manageable way, such as a monthly amount over three years. For some, this may mean redirecting other charitable giving for a time. For others, it may mean stretching beyond their current level of giving as an act of sacrifice and trust in God’s providence. What matters most is not the amount, but the spirit in which the gift is made. The Lord does not ask the same thing of everyone,
but He does invite each of us to respond generously.
An example based on the biblical tithe of 10% on $100,000 income:
• Parish offertory 5% - $5,000 (unchanged)
• Diocesan appeal 1% - $1,000 (unchanged)
• Capital campaign 4% - $4,000/year (from other charitable giving)
• Other charities - reduced/redirected temporarily to Capital campaign
This campaign is an opportunity for all of us to participate in something larger than ourselves to strengthen our parish, support the mission of the diocese,
and help ensure that the faith is passed on to future generations. I ask you to begin praying now. Ask the Lord what He is inviting you to do.
And trust that whatever you offer, given with love and faith, will bear fruit. Be assured of my prayers for you and your families.
If you have any questions as we approach the Diocesan Appeal and Capital Campaign, feel free to reach out.
In Gratitude,
Fr. Ryan Browning
Our Goal:$2,016,878
Forty percent of the funds raised will remain here at St. Peter Parish to support our own parish priorities and strengthen our mission for years to come.
If we reach and exceed our goal, that is over $800,000 coming back to our parish!
FAQs
How much will I be expected to give to the campaign?
Each of us will be invited to prayerfully consider making a sacrificial gift to the campaign. What that looks like will be different for every family. I encourage you to reflect on the many blessings God has given you and to respond in gratitude. Our giving is not simply financial—it is spiritual. It is an act of trust in God and a way we grow in holiness as we return a portion of what He first gave us.
How will we stay informed about the campaign’s progress?
We are committed to keeping you informed throughout the campaign. You will receive regular updates on our progress, goals, and projects through our parish bulletin, Flocknote emails, social media, The Observer, and the campaign website. Transparency and communication will be
important every step of the way.
How is our parish goal determined, and how much will St. Peter receive?
Each parish’s goal is based on its average offertory over the past three fiscal years. This helps ensure that the goal is both fair and reflective of the parish’s capacity. For every gift made by our parishioners, 40% will come directly back to St. Peter Parish to support our local projects. Even more encouraging, once we reach our goal, 60% of any additional funds raised will remain here at St.
Peter, allowing us to do even more for our parish community.
What happens if we do not reach our goal?
There is no penalty to the parish if we do not reach the full goal. The expectation is simply that we make a sincere and faithful effort, following the guidance provided by the diocese and the Steier Group. This campaign is not about pressure—it is about participation, prayer, and generosity according to each family’s ability.
Why This Campaign?
You may be wondering how this campaign differs from other collections you see during the year. The Diocesan Appeal is an annual appeal that supports the ongoing ministries and operations of the Diocese of Rockford, including seminarian education, Catholic Charities, and diocesan programs. Other special collections throughout the year support particular needs of the Church at the national or international level.
A capital campaign, however, occurs only occasionally and focuses on major, long-term initiatives for the future of the Church. In fact, it has been nearly twenty-five years since the Diocese of Rockford last conducted a diocesan-wide capital campaign, the “United in Faith” Campaign of
2000–2001, which established important endowments for Catholic education, seminarian formation, assistance for parishes in need, and the care of retired priests.
OUR PROJECTS
Establish an Evangelization Endowment
Cost: $300,000
An evangelization endowment fund will assist St. Peter Parish in sharing the Catholic faith more effectively. By providing
ongoing financial support, we’ll be able to offer faith formation workshops, host outreach events for families and youth, provide sacramental preparation programs and retreats, and offer adult education opportunities centered on the Gospel. The endowment will enable us to expand our community outreach, nurture the spiritual growth of our parishioners, and warmly welcome new members into our
faith family.
Improve Campus Door Security
Cost: $150,000
The safety and security of our parish and school community are paramount. Upgrading locks and installing advanced surveillance cameras at all campus entrances will modernize exterior access points by improving control systems and enhancing camera coverage. These enhancements will support a safe space for worship, learning and fellowship.
Renovate the Adoration Chapel
Cost: $150,000
The Adoration Chapel serves as the spiritual center of our parish, providing a dedicated environment for prayer, reflection, and encounters with Christ. By updating the flooring, improving lighting, and introducing new devotional artwork, we will enhance the chapel’s atmosphere, enrich parishioners’ experiences, and strengthen their connection to the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Establish a Major Repair Endowment
Cost: $206,751
A Major Repair Endowment will ensure perpetual funding for the essential preservation and restoration of our sacred
spaces. This endowment will support significant future undertakings, including HVAC systems, masonry, stained-glass windows, and other vital projects that maintain the beauty and integrity of our parish buildings. Our church and school buildings are priceless links to our heritage,
inspiring those here today and those who will come after us.
Why Pledging?
One of the most effective ways to participate in the You Will Be My Witnesses Campaign is through a pledge made over time. A pledge allows you to make a meaningful, even sacrificial gift, while still being attentive to your family’s financial responsibilities. By spreading your gift over three years, what might seem difficult at first often becomes very manageable.
For example, a family might initially consider a one-time gift of $1,000—which is already generous. But with a little reflection and planning, that same family may realize they can offer $1,000 each year for three years. That simple shift transforms a good gift into a truly impactful one—tripling its effect to $3,000 in support of the Church’s mission
This is how pledges strengthen the entire campaign. They allow us, together, to reach our goal and to do so in a way that is both generous and sustainable. It is also important to remember that 40% of what we raise will directly support our own parish project, making your gift not only an investment in the wider Church, but in our parish family as well.
A pledge is not a legal contract, but a good-faith intention—an offering made prayerfully and responsibly. It can be fulfilled in a way that best fits your situation: monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. In some cases, your generosity may even be increased through an employer matching gift. Additionally, your contribution may be taxdeductible, and the diocese will provide the necessary documentation each year. Above all, this is an invitation—
to prayerfully consider how the Lord is calling you and your family to respond with generosity, trust, and faith.