In Pew Script
COMMITMENT WEEKEND - January 23rd – 24th
Good morning. I want to first thank all of you who may have already given generously to Together in Mission in response to the letters you may have received at home. Or perhaps those of you that may have gone online to make a pledge this year.
I can assure you that these funds will literally help not only to provide ministry, but also to keep the doors open at so many of our parishes & schools throughout the Archdiocese supported by this campaign.
This morning, I would like to take a few moments to allow everyone the opportunity of making a pledge, or to give a gift. I hope to be able to count on ALL of you to help us reach our Parish’s goal of $ _________ for this year. A goal that that can be achieved with ALL of your help.
In 1993, when this campaign began, the funds were restricted to assist in maintaining a Catholic presence in the areas of the Archdiocese where the parishes and schools were not able to survive on their own. Today – this remains the same!
This annual appeal is the only one of its kind in the United States, a restricted appeal where the proceeds can only be used to assist those parishes and schools in dire financial need. It is NOT used for deferring any costs of the Archdiocese’s operations, any of its liabilities, or litigation – neither past nor present.
When you give to Together in Mission, you are providing for ministry, education and services in 80 of OUR parishes and 63 of OUR parish schools. You are, very directly, helping to bring the Good News, the Word of God, to hundreds of thousands of people.
You are enabling our Catholic brethren to share our faith with us. You are acting as stewards of your Church.
Each of us is called to share his or her gifts in support of the Church. We must first support our own parish, then our Archdiocese, and then our Church throughout the country and world. Together in Mission is the most effective way to support ministry throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles - outside of our parish boundaries.
In the pews today, there are brochures sharing the story that have a gift pouch inside. I would ask that EACH family take one at this time.
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You will see, on the inside, there is an area at the bottom inviting you to consider making a pledge, where it says “My Gift for 2016”. Please know, these are ONLY suggested gift amounts. Should you wish to give at a level that is either more, or less, you are welcome to do so. This decision is entirely yours.
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Please also be aware, you do NOT have to pay anything today. You have the ability to simply make a pledge at this time. You can also determine how to pay your gift. In fact, you can also decide the frequency that best suits your household if you would like to make payments throughout the year.
If you prefer to make a pledge by credit card, you can do so, and choose to pay it today, or to divide your total pledge into monthly payments if it is easier.
You can make a pledge today, and enclose a partial or down payment if you will, and the Together in Mission office will send you monthly reminders through December if that much time is needed to pay your pledge.
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Now that you have decided the level of your giving this year, we ask that you continue with the next few lines – filling in your personal contact information. Again, these lines are for the Archdiocese to properly account for your gifts. If you are making a pledge, for your convenience they will send you reminders, and if you are making a one-time gift, this will allow them to acknowledge your gift properly.
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I do want to repeat, if you are not prepared to do so at this time, there is NOT a need to include payment at this time. If you are prepared to, that is great. You are welcome do so!
You will also see there is a QR code this year in the lower right hand corner on the pledge form. For those of you wishing to make your gift online /electronically, please, this will be one of the ONLY times I can imagine saying this in Church, feel free to pull out your smart phones to make your pledge at this time.
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On behalf of the more than 12,000 students, and their families attending the schools this campaign supports, as well as the approximate 500,000 parishioners living in the 80 parish communities that will benefit from your generosity, we would like to thank you for your support.
For those of you who need more time, we encourage you to take these materials with you, and bring them back. Visit their website if you need more information. Look at the bulletin inserts today. Your consideration is all we can ask.