*Standard campaign expenses, such as printing, postage, mailing and design costs, will run through the VCCF. If the campaign reaches goal, at least 90% of every dollar will go to program delivery. Parishes and VCCF share the fixed campaign fees of $1 million paid from campaign income. The expense for each parish is 4.8% of its average ordinary income for one year paid from campaign income; VCCF pays 3.2% of expenses for each parish’s average ordinary income. Parish expenses will be deducted from the parish’s first disbursement.
The Catholic Church in Vermont is now a missionary church.
A missionary call demands a plan of action. To fulfill our pastoral priorities, our diocese looks to Christ Our Hopeto guide our activity and continue His earthly ministries of preaching, teaching and healing.
“And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.”
■ Matthew 4:23
VIBRANT PARISHES
Our parishes are the heart of the church. They provide the foundation upon which our greater faith community is built. Addressing individual parish needs is a paramount goal of the Christ Our Hope campaign, especially in light of the pandemic. At least *60% of the dollars raised at each parish will fund priorities such as a parish reserve fund, new initiatives, capital improvements, etc. The pastor and parish leadership teams will work together to identify these needs. Vibrant parishes will be the catalyst and hope for advancing the mission of the Church in Vermont. The specifics of your parish goal and need(s) to be addressed through the Christ Our Hope campaign will be mailed to each household.
FAITH FORMATION
Twenty percent of funds raised will support endowments for:
The future of our faith depends on solid formation for children and adults alike. During the pandemic, our ministries and schools quickly adapted to create new remote learning opportunities. Twenty percent (*20%) of funds raised in this campaign will support an endowment that allows for flexibility to be creative during times of crisis and support catholic schools, youth ministry and evangelization – no matter the circumstance. Funding in this campaign will strengthen initiatives that are having success and invigorate the faith of Catholics in Vermont.
Serving the Poor
Twenty percent of funds raised in this campaign will fund an endowment for Catholic Charities Emergency Services. Serving people experiencing poverty, especially at times of greatest need, is integral in sharing and communicating the love and compassion of Christ. Funding an endowment for Catholic Charities emergency services will help bridge the gap for the most vulnerable people in our Vermont communities, especially those families impacted by COVID-19. Catholic Charities is only able to cover about 20% of the amount clients need in emergency aid each month. Given the limited financial resources, it is unable to serve, on average, 70 families per month. That is 280 individuals every month, over 3,300 people every year, that we are currently unable to help. Funding in this campaign is critical to meet our neighbors' immediate needs and help put them in a better position to cover future living expenses.
The success of this vision depends on every parish and every parishioner making a commitment to building a vibrant Church in Vermont. With Christ as our hope, we are confident that your prayers, advocacy and investment will make this a successful campaign. Please prayerfully consider helping in the following ways:
We are beginning this capital campaign
with a spiritual campaign. Join us in praying for the success of this effort.
Please join in praying a novena October 25 thru November 2, leading up to the day of eternal rest granted to Bishop deGoesbraind on November 3. Please offer your novena by praying the following campaign prayer each day with the following intentions:
Campaign Prayer
Almighty and eternal God,
we place our hope in You
to guide the Catholic Church in Vermont
to renew our parishes,
and engage our youth;
to form lay leaders,
and serve the most vulnerable among us.
In the power of the Holy Spirit,
help us build a vibrant church
in this time and place
and for generations to come.
Seeking the intercession of our
first bishop, Louis deGoesbriand.
We pray this through Christ Our Lord,
Amen.
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Your investment in this first-ever capital campaign for the Catholic Church in Vermont will pay dividends for generations to come. By making your gift today you will help ensure the vibrancy of your parish, sustain faith formation efforts in our diocese to deepen the faith, and provide for the most vulnerable in Vermont during their times of need.
*90% of all funds will go directly to program delivery (among the lowest expense ratios for campaigns).