By Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, diocesan vicar for development
Nearly 300 parishioners and priests from 70 parishes in the diocese joined together at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, on Wednesday, Jan. 6, to kick-off Block 2 of the Generations of Faith capital campaign, which already has raised more than $65 million thus far for the diocese’s Catholic Foundation since launching just a year ago.
Excitement Is Building
Parishioners and priests gathered together to relish in the success of the campaign and to express hope for the positive outcome of their own parish goals. Though Block 2 parishes are only in the beginning stages of their fundraising activities, volunteers are excited to get started, some having already raised a hefty portion of their goal!
Father Manuel de Jesus Rodriguez, pastor of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish, Jamaica, and a Pastors Advisory Committee member, participated in Block 1 of the campaign. Having raised over $1.3 million toward his parish goal of $430,000, Father Rodriguez spoke to those in attendance about the success of the campaign.
Father Rodriguez encouraged parishioners and priests in Block 2 that their success will result in a positive future for their parish and diocese for years to come, and also shared some helpful tips and best practices with the incoming group of pastors and campaign team members.
He shared, “Do not be afraid to ask your parishioners for help and be sure to give everyone an opportunity to participate. Our parishioners want to participate in this campaign and join together with others in our parishes to support the effort.
“At first, I was nervous to ask for help, but once I got started, I realized that this was possible and that people wanted to be as generous as they could.”
Throughout the evening, parishioners displayed incredible gratitude for the Catholic Foundation for bringing them all together as one collaborative diocese, an important aspect of the campaign that we have already seen blossoming in the Pilot stage and Block 1.
For more information and for updates on the Generations of Faith campaign, visit www.cfbq.org/generations.
