Catholic Archdiocese Fund-raising Drive Hits $107m in Donations

By Niraj Warikoo
Detroit Free Press
July 31, 2013

http://www.freep.com/article/20130731/NEWS06/307310174/detroit-catholic-archdiocese-fundraising-allen-vigneron

Detroit Catholic Archbishop Allen Vigneron meets with parishioners in Livonia after announcing the archdiocese has raised $107 million so far in its fund-raising campaign. / Niraj Warikoo/Detroit Free Press

Catholics in metro Detroit have raised $107 million so far as part of an ongoing fund-raising campaign, the Archbishop of Detroit announced Wednesday night in Livonia.

Speaking to hundreds after services at St. Michael the Archangel church, Archbishop Allen Vigneron said that 71,500 Catholic households across the region have contributed to the campaign, called Changing Lives Together. Catholic leaders say they hope the campaign, which started in 2011 and concludes at the end of the year, will raise $135 million total.

“Working together ... we have become stronger,” Vigneron said. “The parishioners in the Archdiocese of Detroit have responded generously. ... They’re giving their parishes the resources to be able to share Christ, and that is what’s important. I’m so grateful that so many people want to be a part of that.”

There are about 1.3 million Catholics in the six-county archdiocese, which has reduced parishes in recent years. By the end of the year, the archdiocese says that all of its 242 parishes will have taken part in the fund-raising campaign. Given the economic challenges of the region, archdiocesan officials said they’re encouraged by the amount of donations.

Each parish was given a financial goal. Up to that goal, about 70% of the money will stay within that particular parish. The remaining 30% goes to tuition assistance for Catholic schools, the training of priests and other ministers, and helping the Catholic Church in the city of Detroit.

Any money an individual parish raises beyond its goal can be used 100% by the parish.

Vigneron said that while he has heard from some who are reluctant to donate for the campaign, many are coming forward to give.

“I thank God that I have you as my flock,” he said.

Helping Detroit is especially important, given the challenges the city faces.

“God loves Detroit ... and hasn’t forgotten it,” Vigneron said. “Detroit needs to have the good news preached ... needs to know that God is present.”

Building Catholic schools is also important, Vigneron said, “especially when many don’t agree with our convictions.”

In his remarks, Vigneron noted how the church’s teachings are increasingly at odds with changes in the culture.

But the fund-raising campaign can help the archdiocese be financially stable to help spread the message of Jesus, which is its ultimate goal, he said.

“The world needs Jesus,” he said. “When people meet Jesus, they are truly, truly changed.”

Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com or 313-223-4792. Follow him on Twitter @nwarikoo.