Letter from Bishop Byrne.

We have surpassed our target goal for the Beacon of Faith Capital Campaign! Thank you for your prayers and generosity. Remember that everything raised from this point on -  our parish now receives 75% back to our local works! 

If you have not yet donated or pledged, we hope this will encourage you to do so.  

If you have already given, know how your gift is part of that bedrock on
 which we build all the more. Thank you!

"Faith is belief in something we can’t see – and yet our God is so generous – he allows us to see His amazing work in this world through people like you. Jesus is calling us to be Beacons of Faith – will you help me answer that call?" - Bishop William D. Byrne, Bishop of Springfield

If you want to answer the call and make a difference to our Parish, our Greenfield Community, and our Diocese, please make an online pledge or donation to the Beacon of Faith Campaign here.

Beacon of Faith Campaign.
Bishop Byrne invites you, as a faithful member of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Springfield, to bring your gifts and add them to the gifts of others to raise $28 million.

As a good steward, you are called to reflect on the abundant gifts from God, to consider all the ways your life has been blessed, and to return to God in the same measure that He has given to you; in order to help provide the foundation for the future.

For these reasons, everyone is asked to give, but not everyone is asked to give the same amount. There is a gift plan in this brochure that can be used as a guide in making your decision to support the Beacon of Faith Campaign. Please consider it carefully and select the gift that best expresses your gratitude. Your gift can be made as a pledge payable over a 4-year period on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. Reminders will be mailed to your home based on your pledge plan.

How will our parish benefit from this campaign?
The intention for every case element of the Beacon of Faith is to benefit all in our Diocese.

• Supporting the mission of ACA, especially its charitable arm, provides relief and helps thousands in need throughout our communities.
• By returning 50% of the monies raised back to the parishes for their own needs, we hope that our local churches will be able to address projects/programs that can make an immediate impact on parish life.
• Funding for retired priest care is essential, as these men have given their lives in the service of others, and it is our duty to ensure that they are cared for throughout their retirement years.
• Camp Holy Cross has been crucial in the faith formation of our Catholic youth for decades.  Renovations and updates to the camp will allow the facility to be used year-round and by many more youth and adults alike.
• Beacon of Faith will create an endowment dedicated to helping parishes increase their evangelization efforts to help bring more families back to church and help others grow in their faith.
• Funds will be utilized to assist seminarians in their study for the priesthood as well as to assist present clergy and lay leaders with their ongoing development and formation.
• Beacon of Faith will provide donors with an option to restrict any part of the diocesan portion of their gift to benefit Catholic Education.  This new fund aims to assist families with scholarship funding, increase teachers’ salaries, and support early childhood education.

How much will our parish receive as part of this campaign?
Once a parish meets its ACA goal, 50% of every dollar raised up to the parish’s target will stay at the parish for their own projects, as determined by parish leadership. For every dollar raised above the parish target, 75% will be returned to the parish.

When will parishes begin to receive their share?
After the conclusion of their Block, disbursements back to the parishes will be made on a quarterly basis for the 4-year duration of the redemption phase of the campaign.

How will the campaign affect our parish offertory?
Offertory giving is encouraged to remain consistent during extraordinary campaigns. Parish leadership and Counsel will be sure to communicate to parishioners: (a) consider a greater sacrifice and commitment above and beyond their regular offertory giving and (b) not to lower their offertory giving to their parish to make a gift to this effort.

For more information, please visit the Beacons of Faith Campaign website.