Pilot Parish Phase Ends with $34.5 Million Pledged

By Linda Busetti
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 8/22/02)

On the diocese’s 28th anniversary, Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde praised the generosity of those already supporting the first diocesan capital and endowment campaign, "Rooted in Faith — Forward in Hope," and expressed confidence in its overall success, "not for ourselves, but for all who come after."

Bishop Loverde thanked six "pilot parishes" for a job well done and encouraged 33 parishes embarking on the Bloc I phase during a luncheon last week at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish’s festively decorated parish hall in Lake Ridge.

With the pilot parish phase concluding and the "quiet phase" of Bloc I parish efforts underway, more than $34.5 million has been pledged toward the campaign’s minimum goal of $75 million, said John O’Gorman of Community Counseling Services, fundraising advisers.

Amid blue, green and yellow campaign banners and balloons, parish volunteers Bill and Sherri Herlihy of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Winchester came to learn how to run a successful campaign. "You have to go at it knowing you can reach your goal," Sherri Herlihy said.

Father Anthony Tien Minh Dinh, pastor of Holy Martyrs Parish in Arlington, as well as Andrew and Amy Mendoza, volunteers from St. Timothy Parish in Chantilly, came to find out how other parishes had reached and surpassed their goals.

A video presentation outlined five areas the capital campaign will benefit: education including two new Catholic high schools, an endowment for low-income students, catechesis and youth ministry; Catholic Charities; a retirement home for priests; a diocesan spirituality center and individual parish needs. Parishes receive back 20 percent of money raised up to their goals and 50 percent of what is raised over goal.

Together, the six pilot parishes — Precious Blood in Culpeper, St. John in McLean, St. John the Baptist in Front Royal, St. Raymond of Penafort in Fairfax Station, St. Veronica of Herndon and Our Lady of Lourdes in Arlington — have received pledges for $9,425,330 — 190.2 percent of their collective goals. Two parishes, St. Raymond and Precious Blood, surpassed 200 percent of their goals and St. Veronica exceeded 406 percent of its goal.

At the luncheon, Father Marcus A. Pollard shared the secrets of St. Veronica’s success with pastors and campaign volunteers active in the Bloc I phase through December 2002.

The remaining Bloc II parishes and missions will conduct their campaign efforts from January-June 2003.

"I was continuously stunned by the generosity of parishioners," Father Pollard said. He advised fellow pastors to look at the campaign as an "opportunity" to connect with parishioners through personal visits. "Be straightforward about the needs of the diocese and your parish," Father Pollard said. "Follow the playbook [for the campaign]. It works."

He advised them to listen carefully as parishioners express concerns and dreams for their parish.

Father Edward Hathaway, pastor of St. John Parish and co-chair of the priests’ advisory committee to the campaign, reported on the early success of some Bloc I parishes.

Holy Trinity Parish in Gainesville, which is hoping to fund construction of a new church, has already reached 33 percent of its goal. Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, already at 25 percent of its goal, plans to use campaign funds to expand classroom space at Sacred Heart Academy. With plans for church renovations, Sacred Heart Parish in Manassas has reached 21 percent of its goal. Holy Martyrs Parish, which has reached 19 percent of its goal, will use funds returned to the parish for "urgently needed" parking facilities.

In outlining a timetable for Bloc I efforts, O’Gorman recognized Bishop Loverde, who has visited many families himself, as one of the campaign’s best fundraisers.

In concluding the luncheon, Bishop Loverde recited the campaign prayer, which begins, "God and Father of Our Lord Jesus, as we enter into a new millennium, we face new needs and challenges. We seek the resources necessary to build your kingdom more effectively and we proclaim everywhere your Good News of Salvation." 

Copyright ©2002 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.