The Bishop’s Circle mailer encourages Catholics to join one of six donor “societies.”
Lent is a time for almsgiving. And what better recipient of your alms is there than Bishop Larry Silva’s Bishop’s Circle Campaign.
If you have received a Bishop’s Circle brochure in the mail recently, consider a donation. If you haven’t, you can still donate. The needs are great.
Of special concern to Bishop Silva are his priests, our youth, and the poor.
Of priests, we need more, and the bishop would like to train more. But it’s very expensive. He also wants to take care of the growing number of priests who have retired.
Of our youth, the church is in danger of losing them. Bishop Silva would like to provide them with stronger parish programs. He also wants to support Hawaii’s Catholic schools, many of which continue to struggle financially.
Of the poor, they, of course, are always with us, but it seems their numbers are growing. The bishop is very concerned.
The Bishop’s Circle money will provide direct assistance to parishes, schools and Catholic service agencies in Hawaii.
The goal for the 2019-2020 Bishop’s Circle campaign is $350,000. Since the campaign’s start July 1 last year, 450 donors have contributed nearly $200,000. That is a significant amount, but a sizeable sum remains to be collected.
The number of donors is up slightly from this time last year, but total contributions are down. It is hoped that this year’s goal will be surpassed with the second mailing.
The Bishop’s Circle is Bishop Silva’s annual diocesan campaign that emphasizes the third part of the stewardship’s “time-talent-treasure” refrain, asking for monetary contributions, primarily large ones.
The Bishop’s Circle mailer encourages Catholics to join one of six donor “societies.”
The campaign is coordinated by the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development. It runs through June of this year.
Contributions are encouraged at six “donor society” levels, which start at $625, though any amount is welcome.
The Office of Stewardship and Development suggests a base gift of $200 to honor the 200th anniversary of the Catholic missionary arrival in the Islands in 1827.
Here are the donor societies:
- Stewards of the Gospel for donations $20,000 or more
- Our Lady of Peace Society for gifts $10,000-plus
- Damien/St. Marianne Society for gifts $5,000-plus
- Joseph Dutton Society for gifts $2,500-plus
- Witness to Jesus Society for gifts $1,250-plus
- Catholic Ohana Society for gifts $625-plus
Bishop Silva will host an appreciation event for all donor society members and celebrate a special Mass for all contributors to this year’s appeal.
Every gift is important and welcomed, including checks, credit cards payments, appreciated stock and IRA distributions. Donations may be made online at catholichawaii.org.
For more information, visit catholichawaii.org/stewardship or call the Office of Stewardship at 203- 6723.
