Opening the Eyes of the Blind

4 – Plan what financial resources we require for the various projects.

We don’t have to do everything at once, such as fix the roof, repair the heating, upgrade the windows, repave the pavement, and paint the church.

By starting with the BIG 3 ISSUES, the top three capital projects, you can focus your attention on raising funds for these specific projects. You also don’t get sidetracked by distractions along the way. This point brings me to my next point. We should place some funds into savings in case of an emergency. So, you could say that is a fourth capital project.

As I mentioned in my previous letter, it’s going to take more than the $50 I put aside for my cars every month, but we have to set an emergency fund target.

In fundraising, being specific about what is required and why it is needed is important. If people know how much we aim to raise and see our continual commitment to reaching those goals, the campaign will build momentum and finish strongly.

5 – Go back to the Big Vision.

How does this all tie in with the mission of the Church in the World and our lives?

People give to causes that inspire and excite them, and the job of saving souls is always more exciting than fixing roofs.

However, by fixing the roof, we have a place where we may worship the God of all creation in a way that honors and glorifies Him.

We are also making the church more accommodating to welcome the new people that our evangelizers bring to the parish. Exciting times are ahead!

“Without a vision, the people perish.” If you give them a vision, the people will ‘Parish’. Couldn’t resist the pun. Seriously, though, it’s so important that you help our parishioners see the bigger picture, even while including enough detail so they can understand their role.

You can find an excellent example of this kind of fundraising in the Old Testament. (Exodus Chapters 26-36)

The first recorded capital campaign was led by none other than Moses, nemesis of Pharaoh, author of the Pentateuch, leader of the Israelites, and friend of God.

Moses and his followers wandered through the desert, and God gave him a vision for the tent of the Holy Presence and the tabernacle. God provides Moses EXTREMELY specific directions about what He wants to be built and what should be used to make it.

When Moses explains the vision to the people, they give to him with such generosity that he has to tell them to stop giving. If only every capital campaign were so successful!

These chapters point to the primacy of prayer which offers a clear vision for fundraising. It was not just Moses’s vision that stirred everyone to give. With God’s divine inspiration, Moses had the clarity to articulate what was to be done.

Therefore, the more closely you align your vision to what God has planned for St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church, the more successful this whole process will be. And who knows, God might very well surprise you. He may have even bigger plans for the parish than we expect.

So, when you come back from the mountain top as Moses did, I look forward to hearing what the Lord has planned.

Blessings,

Nathan, the Almoner

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