ONE HEART, ONE SOUL!
“Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul ...” Acts 4:32
The Campaign Kick-Off Address is published below, for those who were absent over the February 28th weekend, and for those who would like to read the Address.
FATHER PETER -
Dear friends! I would like to take a moment to speak to you about our "One Heart, One Soul" campaign, which was initiated by the Diocese of Hamilton three years ago. The purpose of the campaign is to strengthen individual parishes and to strengthen the diocese by supporting parishes in need and important shared diocesan ministries.
I hope you have already had a chance to watch the video message from me and Drew Black, the Chairperson for our campaign.
So far, 75 parishes have finished their campaigns, and to date the campaign has been a success. There are still 40 parishes which are ready to launch. And this week our parish of St. Clement will join those 39 parishes in kicking off our campaign.
Dear friends! I would like to take a moment to speak to you about our "One Heart, One Soul" campaign, which was initiated by the Diocese of Hamilton three years ago. The purpose of the campaign is to strengthen individual parishes and to strengthen the diocese by supporting parishes in need and important shared diocesan ministries.
I hope you have already had a chance to watch the video message from me and Drew Black, the Chairperson for our campaign.
- As I mentioned in the video message, the parishioners of St. Clement are known for being generous. Whenever there has been a need, you have responded.
- But this campaign is a special opportunity for our parishioners to join with Catholics across the diocese in supporting projects in our own parish community and in the Diocese of Hamilton.
So far, 75 parishes have finished their campaigns, and to date the campaign has been a success. There are still 40 parishes which are ready to launch. And this week our parish of St. Clement will join those 39 parishes in kicking off our campaign.
DREW BLACK -
So, St. Clement is "on board." What does this mean for us?
I hope you have already received the "One Heart, One Soul"information package in the mail. It looks like this [showing the package]. If not, please call the Parish Office and we will make sure that you receive it.
When you open your package, you will find:
1) A booklet explaining the whole diocesan campaign with a message from Bishop Crosby.
2) An insert particular to our parish of St. Clement with a picture of our church.
It describes the goals that we are trying to reach and the projects we would like to accomplish.
3) An individual letter from Bishop Crosby and Father Peter appealing to your generosity.
4) A donor pledge form.
It goes to the diocese where the monies are held in trust for St. Clement Parish.
Thankfully, parishes do not have to tend to any campaign paperwork or bookkeeping.
So, St. Clement is "on board." What does this mean for us?
- "One Heart, One Soul" is a campaign for the future, with projects launched to transform St. Clement into a fully welcoming spiritual home.
- By renovating the Parish Hall, we see to create a Gathering Place that is accessible to all.
I hope you have already received the "One Heart, One Soul"information package in the mail. It looks like this [showing the package]. If not, please call the Parish Office and we will make sure that you receive it.
When you open your package, you will find:
1) A booklet explaining the whole diocesan campaign with a message from Bishop Crosby.
2) An insert particular to our parish of St. Clement with a picture of our church.
It describes the goals that we are trying to reach and the projects we would like to accomplish.
3) An individual letter from Bishop Crosby and Father Peter appealing to your generosity.
4) A donor pledge form.
- This donor pledge form indicates a range of pledges but the amounts are only a suggestion, an invitation, and not meant to be an imposition. We do not want anyone to feel that they must give beyond their means, and your total pledge can be spread over the next three years.
- So, what we ask you to do is to pray over it ... Take time to carefully consider the benefits to our diocese, its churches, and in particular our parish ... Reflect on how our chosen projects would bless your family, your friends and the future members of our parish ... and then determine your support of this campaign, your family's sacrificial gift of gratitude to the Lord. Ultimately, whatever amount you give, we will receive with much gratitude.
It goes to the diocese where the monies are held in trust for St. Clement Parish.
Thankfully, parishes do not have to tend to any campaign paperwork or bookkeeping.
Again, we ask you, please take time to pray over your decision
as it is a one-time, unique opportunity to bless others in a remarkable way.
Together, we can build a stronger, safer, post-pandemic community
with a building that better meets the needs of everyone,
people of all ages and at all stages of life.
as it is a one-time, unique opportunity to bless others in a remarkable way.
Together, we can build a stronger, safer, post-pandemic community
with a building that better meets the needs of everyone,
people of all ages and at all stages of life.
Let us continue to reflect for a moment: Some of you are lifelong parishioners. You might remember C.Y.O. activities from your youth or perhaps "Renew" in the 1980's, the years during which there were activities for children, youth and families in the Parish Hall. What is there in our Parish Hall to attract them today? To create a more welcoming atmosphere, a pleasant place to gather, is the first step to attract the younger generations. And that is the focus of our dream! Not just to improve and enhance the church building but to build up our church family.
This is our hope. This is the reason why ...
To help our parish family be "home" to all our families ...
those already here, those we yearn to welcome back
and those joining us for the first time.
To help our parish family be "home" to all our families ...
those already here, those we yearn to welcome back
and those joining us for the first time.
In addition to the volunteer package, many of you will receive a phone call from one of our parishioner-volunteers. While we will not be able to reach every member of our parish, we will call as many of you as we possibly can.
Please consider sharing as best as you can. We appeal to your generosity to help make this dream come true, for the sake of your own future needs and for the sake of future generations.
And one more comment before I close, I am thrilled to announce that while the official launch of the campaign is today, our generous parishioners have already pledged over $55,000.00. Thank you.
- We ask you to receive the call warmly. The volunteers are fellow parishioners. They are calling for the good of the parish, to answer any questions you may have and to encourage your support.
- Be assured that at NO time will you and the volunteer discuss any particular monetary value of your participation in the campaign.
Please consider sharing as best as you can. We appeal to your generosity to help make this dream come true, for the sake of your own future needs and for the sake of future generations.
And one more comment before I close, I am thrilled to announce that while the official launch of the campaign is today, our generous parishioners have already pledged over $55,000.00. Thank you.
FATHER PETER -
I would like to thank our Parish Office staff, Franki and Dee, for their assistance. Many thanks to our team of 27 volunteers who will be calling our parishioners. And special thanks to our Campaign Committee Leadership Team, whom I would like to mention by name:
I would like to thank our Parish Office staff, Franki and Dee, for their assistance. Many thanks to our team of 27 volunteers who will be calling our parishioners. And special thanks to our Campaign Committee Leadership Team, whom I would like to mention by name:
Drew Black, who is our Chair, Michele Fabian, Brian Hummel, Anne Kinzie,
Pat Melady, Denton Rerrie and Aarronn Whelan.
I am also grateful to their spouses and the spouses of all of our volunteers.
Pat Melady, Denton Rerrie and Aarronn Whelan.
I am also grateful to their spouses and the spouses of all of our volunteers.
This leadership team has been meeting since 2018 to explore ways to amplify parish life. They have worked countless hours for us! If you have questions, please call the Parish Office and a committee member will gladly call you back.
I am hopeful that these projects will come to fruition,
that our campaign will be a success because you love St. Clement Parish.
I pray that you will participate.
that our campaign will be a success because you love St. Clement Parish.
I pray that you will participate.
Now, for those who are struggling financially, the campaign invites them only to give if their means permit. But sometimes God invites us to offer a sacrificial gift, as we heard in the First Reading today, when He asked Abraham to offer his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering [Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18]. Your gift would be such a blessing. And I believe that sacrificial giving is twice blessed: It blesses the one who gives and the one who receives.
Thank you for taking time to listen to us today. May God bless you!
Thank you for taking time to listen to us today. May God bless you!