dIOCESAN CATHOLIC APPEAL

Sample In-Pew Pledging Script

To be used on Commitment Weekend, April 21-22/May be significantly shortened if used in conjunction with video presentation and homily.

Good evening/morning. This is our Diocesan Catholic Appeal Commitment weekend, and I, as your (pastor/parish Diocesan Catholic Appeal Coordinator), am here to sincerely thank all of you who have given to the appeal in past years.

I can assure you that your donations and pledges have enabled Bishop Rodríguez to not only provide various educational, liturgical, and charitable ministries throughout our local church—the Diocese of Lubbock—but also provides seminary formation for our next generation of priests as well as helps provide pension and health care for our retired priests.

When you give to the Diocesan Catholic Appeal, you are, very directly, helping to bring the Word of God, the sacraments, and compassionate care to thousands of people on the Llano Estacado and Rolling Plains of West Texas.

Through baptism, we are all called to share our gifts in support of the church. That includes commitments to the pastor and our home church: (our parish); the bishop and our local church, the Diocese of Lubbock, and of course, the pope and our universal church.

The Diocesan Catholic Appeal is our way of directly supporting the bishop as well as indirectly helping our parish. Please let the Holy Spirit guide you as you pledge today.

If you do not already have a pre-completed commitment form with you that you received in the mail, I ask one member of each household to raise your hand so we can give you a blank form and pencil. (Make sure people have enough time to fill out their forms. Pause, and make sure everyone has received a pledge form and pencil. Once everyone has their materials, continue with the script.)

Please print your TOTAL PLEDGE in the space provided. Next to it, write any amount you are giving today. Next to that write the BALANCE DUE. If you pledge a gift today, but do not wish to enclose a donation today, the diocese sends monthly statements beginning in July with a remittance slip to send with your gift. (Pause, and wait until about half of those participating are looking back at you.)

In the spaces provided, please print your last name, and then your first name, your current mailing address, city and zip code, telephone number and email address. It is very important that you write the name of our parish on the line provided, so that we will receive the proper credit for your contributions. (Pause, and wait until about half of those participating are looking back at you.)

If you wish to fulfill your pledge using a CREDIT CARD or MONTHLY BANK DRAFT, please complete the information at the bottom of the pledge form. These contributions are processed on the 20th of each month from July through June. If you’re not using a credit card, just draw a line through that box. (Pause, and wait until about half of those participating are looking back at you.)

If you wish to fulfill your pledge with an ON-LINE CONTRIBUTION arrangement, please visit the diocesan website, www.catholiclubbock.org/DCA and look for the “On-Line Giving” link. Click on this link to be directed to the secure on-line payment center. Follow the prompts that will walk you through setting up a secure payment option using your VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS credit card or your checking account.

Your pledge activity will be reported to you monthly over the twelve months from this July through next June. There is no obligation to provide a down payment today unless you wish. If you do not wish to contribute financially, please still fill out a form and consider a pledge of your prayerful support of the campaign. (Pause five seconds)

When you have completed your pledge form, please tear off the BACK PAGE for your records. Fold the top page and place it into the envelope and seal it. These sealed envelopes will be sent directly to the diocese. The ushers and volunteers from the parish DCA committee will now collect your pledge envelopes (or you may place them in the collection basket during the Offertory).

On behalf of Bishop Rodríguez, and Father N., I thank you for your commitment to the 2012-2013 Diocesan Catholic Appeal. May God bless you as you continually Answer the Call of the Shepherd.

Roman Catholic Diocese of Lubbock • P O Box 98700 Lubbock TX 79499-8700 • Phone 806.792.3943 • Fax 806.771.7660

www.catholiclubbock.org/DCA •