A Christmas Bulletin Announcement

WELCOME HOME!

We know that the Christmas season provides us with the pleasure of seeing in person many folks who do not regularly join us for Mass. It's so good to see you! We hope you find the Liturgy inspirational and that you experience the profound joy that comes from the contemplation of the coming of Our Lord and His presence in the Holy Eucharist. Let's take the advice of Saint Paul of the Cross who said, “Celebrate the feast of Christmas every day, even every moment in the interior of your spirit, remaining like a bay in the bosom of the Heavenly Father, where you will be reborn each moment in the Divine Word, Jesus Christ.”

You are important to us. The heart and soul of Christian stewardship is the belief that God is the source of all of our blessings, talents and possessions. We are simply His stewards. Why not share your talents with us? This is your parish and we are strongest when we all participate. As we know from Sacred Scripture, “We have gifts that differ according to the grace given us.” (Rom 12:6) Think about taking this opportunity to share your talents with your fellow parishioners. You have much to offer – and we are eager to have your help.

Another integral component of Christian stewardship is sharing your treasure. Remember, it isn't money that is the root of all evil; it is the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil! (I Tim 6:10) We are called not to equal giving, but to equal sacrifice. May we humbly suggest you step forward now to help YOUR parish flourish. A great way to accomplish that is by selecting the Electronic Giving option the parish offers. By doing so your gift will arrive regularly on a schedule you determine and your good intentions will not be derailed by travel, attending another parish's Mass or by work -related obligations. Signing up is simple! Take it from those who do so, regular giving is a fruitful and gratifying use of your resources and as we know, we cannot out give Our Lord. He will repay us abundantly.

Written by: Harry Colin, Vice President of Consulting-The Cunneen Company

Thank you Father Schrader and Beth Lucia of Cunneen!

To Any Pastoral Leader Pondering a Fiscal Campaign:

This past Spring when our Facilities Committee came up with a 5-year plan for the upkeep and improvement of the twelve buildings on our parish’s three church sites, the cost when linked with our annual diocesan appeal for this year came to $900,000. Wondering what to do at a time of rapidly escalating gasoline prices and other related increases, our Pastoral and Financial Councils decided to contact Cunneen to see what was possible. I was severely skeptical that anything could successfully be done to reach that amount in such a year of economic stress. After all, we had difficulty reaching just our $123,000 diocesan appeal alone in the better-off 2007-08 fiscal year.

All I can say now is that anything is possible for those who believe! Thanks to a special gift by bequest to the campaign in the summer, we went over the $900,000 mark on October 29th, the end of one of the worst Octobers in recent history. Then, two days before Thanksgiving, the pledges alone (apart from the $150,000 bequest itself) reached the $900,000 mark. The people were elated when I announced at our Mass on Thanksgiving morning that we had over $1,050,000 committed to the campaign. I know one thing for sure: I simply could not have done it without Cunneen. I also know that challenging economic times are no hindrance to success if your need is genuine and you convey it convincingly to those who have in their hearts the same mission that your campaign supports. It was Cunneen that helped us to map out a strategy and get the message conveyed in a clear and compelling way. Consider this a strong endorsement of their services!!!

Rev. Robert J. Schrader, Pastor
Peace of Christ Parish
Rochester, NY

A drill or a hole? The what or the why?

I've linked to this blog before-and even wrote an earlier blog article about how closely related sales is to fundraising-this article quoting sales guru Zig Ziglar does a pretty neat job of it.

And I agree-we are in the "hole" business! Or as I say often enough the "why" not the "what".

http://fundraisingcoach.com/2008/12/02/fundraising-secret-28-nobody-wants-to-buy-a-drill/

Enjoy and thanks again Marc for the excellent blog post.

I just couldn't resist!

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should
be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance
of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and
the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest
Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to
work, instead of living on public assistance."

- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC