August 4, 2024

Beacon of Faith campaign expected to exceed target

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – The Beacon of Faith campaign, launched last summer, is expected to exceed the target goal of $28 million. This is the first capital campaign in more than 20 years and seeks to bolster ministries and parishes throughout the Diocese of Springfield. Campaign donors are encouraged to make a sacrificial pledge that can be honored over a four-year period.

To date, $16 million has been pledged and/or donated.

“Parishioners across the diocese have responded quite generously and so I believe we will exceed our goal,” said Jonathan Van Beaver, the director of development for the Diocese of Springfield.

“I think the overall goal is to grow the church in western Massachusetts. I think there are several different ways to do that. I think if we can get people to reflect on everything God has done for them, if they can make a commitment whether that be financial, or through volunteering and prayer, we will have reached our goal in helping people grow closer to Christ,” he said.

The Beacon of Faith is actively supporting seven areas of need beginning with parish support and development at $11.5 million. Once a parish reaches their Annual Catholic Appeal goal, 50 % of every dollar will return to the parish up to the assigned goal. Once the parish surpasses their Beacon of Faith goal, it will receive 75 % of all funds.  Parish goals are not mandatory and every parish is simply asked to do their best in reaching their goal by offering every member an opportunity to learn about Beacon of Faith and become a supporter.

Gifts made to the Beacon of Faith will also support: priests’ retirement ($4 million); development and training of seminarians and church leaders ($2 million); parish based evangelization ($4 million); Camp Holy Cross ($3 million); the 2024 Annual Catholic Appeal ($3.5 million) and Catholic schools funded by donor designation.

The first block which included seven parishes and two missions, pledged $1.8 Million or 121% of the goal. The second block included 29 parishes and 1 mission, and pledged $11 million, 110% of the goal. The third block is underway, with 37 parishes and a block goal of $11,178,057.88.

“The Diocese of Springfield is embarking upon an ambitious yet timely campaign with the primary focus on strengthening parish life throughout western Massachusetts,” said Bishop William D. Byrne in a letter posted on the Beacon of Faith website.

“We have appropriately themed our campaign Beacon of Faith because I believe it will reinvigorate and enhance our evangelization efforts in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. This is an exciting and holy time for the Diocese of Springfield. As a family of faith, we are called to serve one another with the love of Christ,” said the bishop who raised more than $2 million on his own, outside of the parish efforts.

Franklin County has exceeded the overall target.

“The Beacon of Faith has been a wonderful opportunity for us as Blessed Trinity Parish, but fundamentally as the people of Greenfield to come together and say we are here to equip our generosity,” said Father Michael Pierz, the pastor of Blessed Trinity Parish. Two years ago two parishes came together, the former Holy Trinity and Blessed Sacrament Parishes, to create Blessed Trinity. Masses are said in both church buildings. The parish has raised more than $650,000, 150% of their goal.

The Beacon of Faith funds will help support the many ministries of the parish including a community meals program; visits to the sick and homebound; and a food pantry located in the parish center behind Blessed Sacrament Church on Federal Street.

“We’re here to be able to provide meals in our community. We’re able to provide funding to rent a big truck that goes down to the food pantry in Chicopee, that then equips our food pantry, that serves hundreds of people each and every week,” he said.

The parish is also opening a preschool which will be located in the parish center. Currently, there are no Catholic schools in Franklin County. The Beacon of Faith campaign will support the preschool.

“The preschool is a new effort that can bring Catholic education at least in a small sustainable way for the families of Greenfield and beyond. So we’re excited that the preschool effort is something that people can get behind. There’s a lot of support and already a waiting list,” said Father Pierz.

Blessed Trinity Parish has a perpetual adoration chapel located in the church on Federal Street. Deacon John Leary, the campaign coordinator for Blessed Trinity Parish, credits their success to the devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

“We will be celebrating 30 years of 24-hour a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year of perpetual adoration. There is no reason we should be standing in a $3 million parish center that was built during Covid. There is no reason that we’re at 150% of our goal. There is no reason that we’re seeing such energy and enthusiasm up here in Franklin County, the poorest county in the state per capita, other than the excitement we have as Catholics, spreading that word and evangelizing,” said Deacon Leary.

Deacon Leary believes the parish will likely hit $1 million by the time the campaign is over. He is not alone.

“I was not surprised by the response we have had. We have wonderful parishioners and they are very interested in what’s happening in our parish,” said Charlene Currie, the communications director for the campaign in Greenfield.

Each parish will host a few informational receptions. People are asked to prayerfully consider a gift which can be paid monthly over a four-year period.

For more information or to make a pledge, go to https://beaconoffaithwmass.org