Together we did it. Together we reached the goal and then surpassed the goal. The Together for God’s Good Work capital campaign now has more than $25 million in pledges surpassing its goal in pledges by more than $9,000. Nearly 66 percent of that money on those pledges has already been paid.
Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, called the achievement a visible sign of the faithful’s commitment to the mission of Jesus and their “willingness to provide for their children’s spiritual needs and the future of the Church in Southeast Texas.”“I know how much they sacrificed to accomplish this and how some of them are struggling financially right now because of the slowed economy. I am so grateful to our people for their gifts of time and treasure and humbled not only by their generosity but by their faith and trust in Our Lord. And I am very grateful to Our Lord for guiding us and sustaining us with His Grace. He has also blessed us all with priests, not only in this endeavor but in their entire ministry who provide excellent leadership,” Bishop Guillory said.
“Thanks be to God,” was the first exuberant reaction of campaign chairpersons, Linda and John Duplissey, to the news.
“We are so thankful for everyone who worked so hard on this campaign. We are grateful for the tireless efforts of all the pastors and also the other clergy and especially for the vision and leadership of Bishop Guillory,” said John Duplissey.
The diocese is not alone in being over its campaign target in pledges. Eight of the parishes have also surpassed their individual parish targets in pledges: St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Beaumont; St. Anne, Beaumont; Cristo Rey, Beaumont; St. Michael, Jasper; Infant Jesus, Lumberton; Holy Trinity, Mont Belvieu; St. Mark the Evangelist, Silsbee; and Our Lady of the Pines, Woodville.
But the work of the faithful does not end here. The campaign is a legacy for future generations – especially with $8 million directly impacting young people
through youth ministry, religious education, Catholic schools and the Catholic Student Center at Lamar. That $8 million is planned to fund endowments for parish youth ministry, parish religious education, Catholic school tuition assistance and also to fund renovations at the Student Center.
An endowment for Catholic Charities will help those in need during future trying times. The construction projects for the Catholic Pastoral Center and the Catholic Student Center at Lamar are planning for the future by providing the space necessary for the ministries to operate. These two construction projects are well underway with the dedication of the new Pastoral Center tentatively scheduled for April.
The target also includes plans for an endowment for the Infirm Priests’ Fund that will provide monies to take care of diocesan priests who have taken care of the faithful through the years and monies for Holy Family Retreat Center.
The campaign has already helped fund operating expenses for diocesan ministries and Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas. Of the more than $16 million that has already been realized, $2 million of that went to the 2010 Bishop’s Faith Appeal, the appeal funds 18 diocesan ministries such as African American Ministry, Communications and Hispanic Ministry.
Parishes also share in the benefits of the campaign. Four million dollars of the funds received will benefit a number of goals for parishes for everything from parking lots to a spiritual garden and many items in between.
Once parishes reach their 2010 BFA goal, parishes receive 20 percent of all monies paid. When they surpass their individual parish capital campaign target, they receive 80 percent of all monies paid.
