You Will Be My Witnesses Capital Campaign

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