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Since the establishment of our diocese, we have had a rich tradition of faith. Though different in culture, we have grown united in the Mystical Body of Christ. Now we begin a new effort to provide for the needs of this generation and future generations.
Infirm Priests’ Fund Endowment - $4,000,000
Our diocesan priests spend years in service to the faithful. Historically, an annual  collection provided about $55,000 for the Infirm Priests’ Fund each year to support infirm diocesan priests. After funding the medical costs of several priests during severe illnesses, the Infirm Priests’ Fund went bankrupt. Other diocesan funds had to be moved to take care of this need. An infusion of $4,000,000 to an endowment will help stabilize the fund. Generated income should provide additional assistance for the foreseeable future.
Endowment for Parish Youth Ministry, Parish Religious Education & Catholic School Scholarships - $7,000,000
Catholic School Scholarships - $2,333,333
Statistics show that lay leadership and vocations come in greater
numbers from those who attend Catholic schools. We have 1,321 students in our Catholic grade schools and 469 students in our high school.
Increasing costs present challenges to making Catholic schools affordable for moderate and low-income families. This endowment will generate monies for additional scholarships to assist students.
Parish Youth Ministry - $2,333,333
Many of our teenagers are attending non-Catholic youth activities because of their parish’s limited resources. There is only one paid Catholic youth minister in the 18 rural parishes and missions. Many inner city parishes are facing similar situations. Funds generated from this endowment will provide grants to needy parishes and missions for youth ministers.
Parish Religious Education - $2,333,333
Presently 9,674 children are in parish religious education programs in the diocese. Only 12 Parish Catechetical Leaders (PCL) are full-time and 11 are part-time. Many of these positions are at the larger parishes with paid staff. The remaining parishes have either part-time persons or volunteers. An endowment for religious education will generate funds for grants to assist parishes and missions that are in need of a paid PCL.
Campus Ministry at Lamar University - $1,000,000
The Catholic Student Center at Lamar University has not been renovated in 30 years. The chapel and recreational spaces are not as inviting as those provided by the campus ministries of other faiths. The rest rooms are not handicapped accessible. Approximately 10,500 students attend L.U. Many are Catholic. Aggressively focusing time and resources on the faith formation of these young people is an investment for the future of our Church since studies show vocations frequently come from active campus ministry. This fund will help provide monies for Campus Ministry’s physical and program needs.
Catholic Charities Endowment - $1,000,000
 Following Hurricane Rita, Southeast Texas learned that the needs of the most vulnerable were not being served in ways that would change their life situation. Catholic Charities discovered that many individuals were returning again and again to social service agencies. In response, Catholic Charities set up a project to assist clients on becoming less dependent on social services. Funds generated from this endowment would give Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, the social service arm of the local Church, a source of revenue that would enable it to identify and then respond to new needs in the future.
New Catholic Pastoral Center - $4,250,000
Our current Pastoral Center is aging, inefficient, not handicapped accessible and does not provide adequate space for ministries or storage of records. The building has not had a major renovation in at least 30 years. Offices and staircases are difficult to maneuver. Because space is at a premium, some ministries have been relocated to portable buildings. A new simple but tasteful Pastoral Center will provide efficient and safe housing for our ministries as well as meeting space for Catholics in our diocese.
2010 Bishop’s Faith Appeal - $2,000,000
 The Bishop’s Faith Appeal provides an annual source of funds for 18 diocesan ministries and Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas. These ministries touch the lives of 110,000 individuals in Southeast Texas. Funds raised through our parishes demonstrate the generous support of our people for the larger Church. This campaign allocates $2,000,000 toward the 2010 BFA. The return of the usual BFA is slated for 2011.
Holy Family Retreat Center - $1,750,000
 Currently, there are two challenges in meeting the retreat needs of our people. First, there are diocesan and parish groups that would like to use the Center but are unable to afford the fees. Second, sometimes more than one event or program needs to use the Retreat Center at the same time. Several diocesan ministries have had to use other public facilities.
In order to make Holy Family Retreat Center more accessible, $500,000 will be set aside to help subsidize the cost for diocesan and parish groups that would otherwise be financially unable to use the Retreat Center. We are also in the process of evaluating what plan of action will best meet our current and future space needs. Therefore, $1,250,000 will be set aside to meet the determined expansion priorities.
Support of Our Local Parishes & Missions - $4,000,000
We most deeply experience the presence of Jesus through the sacraments, community and faith formation of our parishes and missions. Each faces its own challenges and goals. In this campaign, each will have a target that will include its portion of the 2010 BFA. Once a parish surpasses its 2010 BFA target, 20% of the net funds collected up to its campaign target will return to the parish. When a parish exceeds its campaign target, it will receive 80% of funds raised. This funding will be used in ways the parish deems appropriate.
To see more on the ministries that will be supported by the campaign click here (pdf)
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