2015 Diocesan Annual Appeal
Manual for Parishes
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Introduction
Messageto Pastors, Parish Life Coordinators, Parish Staff & Representatives- New for 2015
A variety of new features have been added to the 2015 Campaign in an on-going effort to improve the Diocesan Annual Appeal experience. We hope you’ll find these additions helpful in conducting your parish campaign and in progressing toward your parish goal. New features include additional “Action Events”at the Parish level, and even new ways to donate.
You’ll note a new emphasis on Pre-Campaign Activities to orient our Regional Chairs and Parish Representatives, as well as requests that you engage your Parish Leadership (Finance and Pastoral Council members, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, etc.) early in the campaign. Some of these parishioners may not be previous Appeal donors.
The In-Pew Commitment Weekendhas been scheduled to follow more closely after the Kick-off than in past years. In addition to making an Appeal pledge, at this time parishioners will also have the opportunity to submit a prayer intention, whether or not they make a pledge. To help encourage first-time donors to the Appeal, we’re also planning to add a Text to Give Weekend where parishioners will be asked to take out their smart phones and text a pledge or gift.
A Mass of Thanksgiving will be offered by Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera on Sunday, November 22, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Cathedral, at which time Bishop Bambera will pray for all intentions received during In-Pew Weekend. The Mass of Thanksgiving will be followed by aReception in the Diocesan Pastoral Center. Advance promotion of this Mass may be yet another encouragement for parishioners to consider a pledge.
These changes are listed on the Parish Appeal Timeline in this Parish Manual. Detailed explanations can be found in the Parish Manual and on the Diocesan website.
Accessing the Parish Manual Online
For your convenience, this year the Parish Annual Appeal Manual, including Bulletins Announcements, can be found in the formats of WORD, PDF and JPEG on our Diocese of Scranton website through a special portal accessible by password only to pastors, parish life coordinators, parish staffs, regional chairs and Appeal parish representative (see instructions below).
1) Visit . 3) At the Drop Down menu, click PARISH RESOURCES.
2) Click the horizontal TAB – GIVING 4) Enter the PASSWORD: Appeal2015
The Diocesan Development Office
Secretary for DevelopmentDirector of Stewardship& Donor Relations
Jim Bebla Marilouise Agnone Ruane
Phone: 570-207-2250, Cell: 570-862-7762 Phone: 570-207-2250 ext. 1016, Cell: 570-677-5040
Development Operations Management
Barbara Clewell Ann McLane
Phone: 570-207-2250 ext. 1051 Phone: 570-207-2250 ext. 1050
Administrative Assistant
Claire Davis
Phone: 570-207-2250 ext. 1003
Table of Contents______
Appeal Timeline – Action Events………………………………………………………………..…………4
Regional Lay and Clergy Chairs Listing……………………………………………………….….…………5
Parish Campaign Structure
- Parish Representative Responsibilities……………………………………….….……..…….6
Bishop Bambera’s Appeal Message………………………………………………………….….…….…….7
Sample “Major Donor” Letter……………………………………………………………….….…….……8
Successful Appeal “Best Practices”………………………………………………………….…….….…….9
Parish Appeal Materials………………………………………………………………………….…….….10
Action Event Summaries – Mass Instructions…………………………………………………….…….....11
-Kick-Off Weekend – September 12-13………………………………………………….………….12
-In-Pew Promotion Weekend – October 10 - 11………………………………….……...... 13
-In-Pew Commitment Weekend – October 24 – 25……………………………….………………...14
-The Pledge Envelope……………………………………………………………………..…..…….15
-Text-to-Give Weekend – November 14 – 15………………………………………………....…….16
In-Pew Procedures and Office Instructions………………………….………………………….….……..17
Pastor’s Section – Suggested Messages………………………………….……………………….…..…….19
Bulletin Announcements and Prayers of the Faithful…………………………………………….…...…....24
Linking the Diocesan Website to Your Parish Website – Graphic and Code……………….………...……31
Graphics for Your Parish Bulletin…………………………………………………………………....……32
2015 Parish Appeal Timeline – Action Events
Pre-campaignPastors Submit Parish Representatives’ Names
Representatives to be invited by Diocese to attend Regional Meetings
Pre-campaignPastors Personally Invite Parish Leadership to Give
August 18 – September 11 Send letter to Parish staff, Finance and Pastoral Council members, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, etc., requesting Annual Appeal support. (response envelopes available through the Diocesan Development Office)
September - OctoberRegional Meetings for Parish Representatives
Conducted by Diocesan Development Office - dates and locations TBA.
Week 1 Kick-off Weekend –Showing of Annual Appeal Video
September 12 - 13Pulpit Announcement & Bulletin Message; Prayer of the Faithful
September 14 - Bishop Bambera’s First Letter to Previous Appeal Donors
Week 2“Catholic Light” Sept. 17th Issue delivered to Parishes
September 19-20Complimentary copies of The Catholic Light available for parishioners who are not donors to the Diocesan Annual Appeal to inform everyone that
a gift to the Appeal entitles donors to receive The Catholic Light for a year.
Week Week5 Promote In-Pew Commitment Weekend on Oct.24-25
October 10-11Pastor, Parish Representative or Catholic Social Services Staff or Volunteer speak about the ministries supported by gifts to the Appeal and encourage participation on In-Pew Commitment Weekend on October 24 & 25.
October 19 - Bishop Bambera’s Second Letter to past donors who have not yet donated
WWeek 7IN-PEW Commitment Weekend
October 24-25Solicitation introduced by Pastor and/or Parish Representatives.
Prayer Intentions collected for Mass of Thanksgiving, November 22.
Week 9Promote Text to Give Weekend on November 14-15
November 7-8Parish Representative organize volunteers to help on November 14-15
Week 10Text to Give Weekend Using Cell Phones
November 14-15Promote Mass of Thanksgiving & Reception on Nov. 22
Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral and reception at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.
Week 11 Mass of Thanksgiving & Appeal Reception
November 22 10:00 a.m. Mass St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton, celebrated by Bishop Joseph Bambera followed by a Reception at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.
December 7- Diocesan Mailing to past donors who have not yet donated
January – March 2016Wrap-up Activities in Parishes Not Yet at Goal
Parish ChoiceParish-led initiatives by pastor & representatives (eg., letters, mini-phonathon, personal contacts, a 2nd In-Pew Commitment Weekend
February 27-28, 2016Annual Appeal Special Collection Parish Envelope
2015 Regional Lay and Clergy Chairs
1. Monroe County
Chair:Rosemary Driebe Olofsson, St. Luke’s Parish, Stroudsburg
Clergy Chair: Fr. Michael Quinnan, Pastor, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Brodheadsville
2. Wayne & Pike Counties
Chairs:Bill and Gerrie Lovejoy, St. Patrick’s Parish, Milford
Clergy Chair: Fr. Richard Beck, Pastor, Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of Peace Parish, Hawley
3. Lycoming & Tioga Counties
Chairs:Pete and Carol Sides, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Montoursville
Clergy Chair: – Fr. John Manno, Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Montoursville
4.Luzerne County
Chairs:Gene and Patricia Klimash, Holy Family Parish, Luzene
Clergy Chair: Fr. Brian J. W. Clarke, Pastor, Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton
5. Bradford, SullivanSusquehanna Counties
Chairs:Atty. Frank and Sharon O’Connor, St. Lawrence Parish, Great Bend
Clergy Chair: Fr. Edward Michelini, Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul Parish, Towanda
6. Lackawanna& Wyoming Counties
Chairs:Atty. Larry and Kathy Moran, Christ the King Parish, Archbald
Clergy Chair: Msgr. Michael Delaney, Pastor, Holy Cross Parish, Olyphant
Parish Campaign Structure
Parish Leadership
Pastors play a significant role in promotingthe Diocesan Annual Appeal. You set the tone for the effort in your parish with your endorsement and public support. Four years ago, to assist with the Annual Appeal, the Diocese invited parishioners and clergy to serve as Regional Chairs, representing the six regions of the Diocese: 1) Bradford, Sullivan and Susquehanna Counties, 2) Wayne & Pike Counties, 3) Monroe County, 4) Luzerne County, 5) Lackawanna and Wyoming Counties, and 5) Lycoming and Tioga Counties.
Last year, the campaign structure was expanded and pastors were invited to designate Parish Representatives to work with the Development Office and the Regional Chairs, and to ultimately assist their pastors in conducting the Annual Appeal at the parish level. These Parish Representatives also serve as delegates to a Regional Annual Appeal Committee which meets two or three times during the length of the campaign. During Regional Meetings, Parish Representatives share experiences with others to arrive at best practices for conducting successful parish campaigns..
Parish Representative Responsibilities
Main Responsibilities
- Attend two to three Regional Committee meetings between September and January.
- Make an Annual Appeal gift.
- Work with pastor and parish staff to coordinate Diocesan Annual Appeal efforts in your parish to include showing the video on weekend of Sept. 12 and 13, overseeing In-Pew Commitment Weekendon October 24-25, updating of the goal thermometer poster and publishing Appeal announcement in your parish bulletin.
- Offer campaign suggestions at committee meetings and in your parish throughout Annual Appeal.
- Serve as a primary contact in your parish to provide updates on Annual Appeal activities and progress toward goal and to answer any questions.
Optional Activities
- Personally contact a small number of friends or potential donors (perhaps six to 10 people – the number of contacts is determined by the committee member) from September to December to ask them to join you with a gift to the Diocesan Annual Appeal.
- With assistance from the Diocesan Development Office, coordinate a parish Phonathon to call parishioners or a select group of parishioners (eg, parishioners who are involved in leadership positions – finance or pastoral council members, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, choir members) who have not yet given to the Appeal.
- Speak at Masses (or recruit volunteers to speak) on one or two weekends during the Campaign, perhaps on In-Pew Weekend, to encourage parishioners to make a gift to the Appeal.
- Help Diocesan Development Office communicate to their respective parishes progress toward the Annual Appeal Regional goal and Parish goal
In the words of Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L, Bishop of Scranton
Not too long ago Pope Francis offered these thoughts: “Lord,make my heart open to goodness, make my heart open to the beauty of God everyday.”In just a few weeks, Pope Francis will visit the United States. In his historic trip to these shores, what will he see? What will his experience be? If he were to look at the Church of Scranton, he would see people whose lives are deeply committed to God. He’d see vibrant parishes like St. John the Evangelist, Parish, Pittston, that not too long ago took an empty school and turned it into a free health clinic for adults and children: doctors who care for individuals in physical ways, nursing opportunities, a clothes closet where those in need can find gentled used and new clothing for themselves and their children.
One of most significantly ways in which we offer service to our brothers and sister who are in need
is through the incredibly good work of Catholic Social Services. We respond to individuals in many ways – we offer counseling services. We feed hundreds of individuals who are hungry. We provide shelter for those who find themselves without a place to stay. We offer immigrant services to those who are new to our area. Finallyand perhaps most significantly, we provide housing opportunities for individuals in need.
Your “good hearts and generous spirits” also help us fund a wonderful religious education program for
young people throughout our Diocese. We have 20 catholic schools that provide an outstanding educational experience to thousands of children. Additionally we have religious education programs in each of our 120 parishes.
The people of our parishes are more than willing to engage the gifts that God has giventhem for the building up of their parish communities and indeed, the entire Diocese of Scranton.
We are so blessed to have individuals who are open to ministry in the church. Your support of theAppeal allows them to experience and to grow in their understanding of what it means to be a priest, their knowledge of what is necessary to preach and proclaimand to receive the training that will ultimately sustain them as they move forward in ministry.
Your gift to the Appeal also supports our retired priests.I’m so privileged as Bishop in the Diocese of Scranton to be supported in my Episcopal ministry by my colleague,Bishop Timlin, who just this summer celebrated his 88th birthday, and by Bishop John Doherty, our retired auxiliary bishop. Both of them and countless numbers of retired priests don’t know the meaning of the word retirement.
Thank you for all of your support to the Diocesan Annual Appeal. With our good hearts and generous spirits, each one of us can work together to bring hope and encouragement to all those who are in need to the Diocese of Scranton and beyond.
Successful Appeal – Best Practices
Remember…
•Peoplewhofeelinspiredtogivetendtogiveasmuch astheycan.
•Peoplewhofeelobligatedgivetheminimum expected.
Be sure to….
•Emphasize pledgedgiftswith payments over a period of months, ratherthanone-timedonations.
•Whenever possible, personally invite parishioners to consider a gift to the Annual Appeal.
•Educateandcommunicate–parishionerswhounderstandallofthevitalprogramsmade possibleby theAnnual Appealcaneducateothers,ensuringmoresuccessin theparish.
• Keep the Appealin front of the parishioners throughout the campaign. Use bulletins, posters, pulpit announcements, reference the Appeal on your website.
•Report progress to goal: (the target, amount pledged, cash total, % of parishioners pledging).
•Display the Thermometer Posters with pledge envelopes and brochures prominentlyin the church for parishioners to pick up at any time. Color-in the Thermometers to show your progress as you advance toward goal.
• Always remember the prayerful aspects of the Appeal.Ask the parishioners to offer their prayers for the success of the Appeal and for all those who minister through the Appeal.Incorporate the prayers of the faithful into the liturgy.
•Ask parishioners to reflect on the blessings they have received when considering their donation.
PARISH ANNUAL APPEAL MATERIALS & INSTRUCTIONS
Dear Parish Staff/Volunteer:
On behalf of Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, we appreciate and are grateful for your efforts to work with us to ensure another successful Diocesan Annual Appeal. In order to expedite and enhance our ability to properly process every Appeal pledge, and to ensure accuracy of our records, your additional assistance is needed. Please carefully read the directions below. If you have any questions about any of the information provided in this manual, or you do not receive your materials as indicated by the dates below, please call us at: 570-207-2250.
Parish Materials: to be delivered the Week of September 7
For Annual Appeal Kick-Off on the Weekend of September 12-13 you will receive:
- Annual Appeal DVD: If you have not received it by September 10, please call the office at 570-207-2250. Open and check materials. Test DVD to insure it is working properly. DVD is seven minutes.
- A Copy of this 2015 Annual Appeal Manual. Updates may be added to this Manual during the course of the campaign. All updates will be e-mailed to you and also accessible on the Diocesan Website.
To access Annual Appeal Parish Materials on-line…
1) Visit . 3) At the Drop Down menu, click PARISH RESOURCES.
2) Click the horizontal TAB – GIVING 4) Enter the PASSWORD: Appeal2015
- The 2015 Annual Appeal Posters to be displayed near entrances in your parish churches.
- Parish Thermometer Goal Posters with stand-up easels and plastic pocket for pledge envelopes.
- Annual Appeal Pledge Envelopes (green print) for thermometer posters and for general use.
For In-Pew Commitment Weekend OF OCTOBER 24-25 you will receive:
- Specific In-Pew Commitment Pledge Envelopes (blue print) and Pencils.
- Parish Envelopesaddressed to the Development Office in which to return your Pledge Envelopes from your In-Pew Weekend collections
- Parishioner Labels - each parish will receive a set of Parishioner Labels. Each label identifies a parishioner/donor by name, address and corresponding diocesan account number.
There aresignificant times in the Annual Appeal when we ask the Pastor and Parish Representatives to take additional steps to strengthen the Appeal message. The Appeal progresses more quickly to a successful conclusion when parishioners are motivated to pledge early in the campaign.
Kick-off Weekend – Appeal Video is Shown at All Masses
September 12 and 13
The Pastor or Mass Celebrant informs parishioners that the Annual Appeal is commencing today in all parishes throughout the Diocese. He introduces the video himself or introduces the Parish Representatives who ask parishioners for their attention to the video message and explain that past donors will receive a letter from Bishop Bambera in the coming week. The Prayer of the Faithful includes the Appeal reference. The Bulletin should include a Message from the Pastor and either the weekly Appeal Graphic or Appeal Message.
Promoting the Upcoming In-Pew Weekend
October 10-11
The Pastor, Parish Representative or Catholic Social Services Volunteer Speak about the ministries and services supported by the Appeal. He or she reviews the process for the upcoming In-Pew Commitment Weekend, October 24-25 and asks parishioners to come to Mass prepared to make a pledge.
Commitment Weekend – Envelopes Distributed at All Masses
October 24-25
The Pastor and Parish Representatives are asked to guide parishioners through the ‘in pew pledge’ process as outlined on page ___. The most effective parish campaigns focus on a personal ask and involve ushers or volunteers passing pledge envelopes to each parishioner and immediatelhy collecting the pledge envelopes after everyone has completed them.
“In-Pew Commitment Weekend” is one of the few times we have an opportunity to invite all parishioners to support the Diocesan Annual Appeal (that includes new parishioners, parish members who have not previously made an Appeal gift and folks who may attend Mass but are not registered parishioners). FYI, the Diocese sends mailings primarily to past donors.