By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
The bishop is asking you to join his circle.
The Bishop’s Circle appeal, the diocesan fundraising campaign that seeks primarily larger donations to fund certain central diocesan operations, launched its third year with the first request letters going out this month.
Using the new theme “Stewards of the Gospel,” Bishop Larry Silva thanked past contributors and asked this year’s letter recipients to “prayerfully consider contributing … in support of our many diocesan ministries — especially the care of our clergy, our youth and those in need both inside and outside our church walls.”
“Stewards of the Gospel” is the title of the bishop’s new diocesan plan coming out next month.
According to Mark Clark, director of the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development which is coordinating the campaign, a total of 12,000 appeal letters will be mailed throughout this month.
The goal for this year’s campaign is $350,000, up from $300,000 last year.
The campaign calls the appeal “a special invitation to join Bishop Larry Silva as a fellow Steward of the Gospel by honoring the Lord with your stewardship of treasure.”
The money raised will support vocation recruitment, the retirement and health care of clergy, children and youth in parish catechism programs and Catholic schools, and the poor served by parish and Catholic social service agencies.
In his letter, the bishop cited the “legacy” of Hawaii’s past missionaries and saints converting, teaching and caring for the islanders, and his own 10 years as bishop, in the presence of “so many faithful people of diverse cultures, ages and locations”
“I see that our Church is alive and thriving amongst our many Stewards of the Gospel,” he said.
The 2015/2016 Bishop’s Circle campaign has five gift categories: Our Lady of Peace Society for $10,000 or more; St. Damien/St. Marianne Society for gifts of $5,000-$9,999; Joseph Dutton Society for gifts of $2,500-$4,999; Witness to Jesus Society for gifts of $1,000-$2,499; and the Catholic Ohana Society for gifts of $500-$999.
Bishop Silva will invite donors who contribute at one of the suggested categories to a special appreciation gathering. They will also be recognized in the Hawaii Catholic Herald.
However, it is not necessary to donate at those levels.
“Every gift is important,” said Clark. “We are grateful for all expressions of stewardship of time, talent and treasure.”
Included with the bishops letter was a page of “infographics” displaying Hawaii Catholic Church statistics like the number of parishes, missions and ethnic ministries (100), the number of children in parish religious education classes (6,793), and the number of people served by Catholic Charities, the Office for Social Ministries and HOPE Services Hawaii (50,000).
The Bishop’s Circle appeal was created by Bishop Joseph A. Ferrario. Bishop Silva suspended it for a few years before bringing it back two years ago.
Donations may be made by check or through monthly credit card or bank debit gifts. Contact Mark Clark in Stewardship and Development at 203-6723, or mclark@rcchawaii.org.
