As Mantua’s Church of the Incarnation replaces its 21-year-old carpet flooring with pristine porcelain tile during these summer months, Patricia Houwen and other parish leaders are grateful for the dedication and devotion of the parish community that created a better ground for its faithful’s footsteps.
“Our people were so fantastic and rose to the occasion,” said Houwen, the parish’s business administrator.
The “occasion” was last fall’s #iGiveCatholic campaign. Known as the Catholic Church’s Giving Day, #iGiveCatholic 2022 took place Nov. 29 plus an advanced giving phase from Nov. 14-24. During this time, the Mantua community raised $7,580, with part of the funds going to the floor renovation.
All told, $87,077 was raised throughout the six counties of the Diocese of Camden for its parishes, schools and ministries, and excitement is building for this year’s #iGiveCatholic on Giving Tuesday campaign, which falls on Nov. 28.
In a recent memo to parish priests, staff and schools announcing the upcoming campaign, Father Robert Hughes, diocesan Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, urged faithful to “celebrate all that we do, as Catholics, to build His kingdom and invite people to invest in our good work.”
Parish leaders are optimistic that the generosity and good works of the faithful and supporters will continue.
“People knew what #iGiveCatholic was all about and answered the call,” Terri McGarvey, parish administrator at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Cape May, said of the 2022 campaign. Monies raised are going toward ministries such as Just Friends, which gathers individuals 50 and older together once a month for fellowship, speaker talks and physical activity such as Zumba. Funds are also being used for upkeep and maintenance of the 110-year old church on Washington Mall.
As it has done the past two years, the Diocese’s Office of Development is helping parishes get the word out to their parishioners, providing tips on e-mail blasts, social media marketing and bulletin announcements.
In Cape May, the dedicated team that included McGarvey and parish staff – with input from the parish Finance and Pastoral Councils – created bulletin announcements to promote Giving Tuesday, and the day of, they sent morning and evening e-mails urging faithful to give. Their efforts worked: $5,190 was raised on the day.
Incarnation Parish got into the marketing blitz as well, as Father Raymond Gormley, pastor, created a video message disseminated to the parish’s flock.
In a Facebook-only push, the Blessed Edmund Early Childhood Education Center in Cherry Hill, staffed and run by the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and laity, raised $1,565 for its mission in forming Christian character and values in 3- to 6-year-olds.
“I’m overwhelmed. The people were so generous,” said Sister Sophie Szczepek, LSIC, the center’s director.
“The parents were thankful that the kids are growing here and learning so much. They love the school and wanted to give back. This year, in addition to the Facebook posts, we’re thinking of take-home envelopes that students can give to their families,” she added.
In addition, as the diocesan ministry with the most donors, the center received $500 from the Office of Development. Sister Sophie says all monies gathered will go to a new toy driving car for the 3-year-old’s classroom, and for supplementary educational tools for all students.
Other projects were supported partially or fully by #iGiveCatholic 2022 throughout the Diocese, such as Sacred Heart Parish, Camden ($2,322, food program); Christ the King Church, Haddonfield ($28,843, bathroom construction in Morgan Hall); Guardian Angels Regional School, Paulsboro ($5,991 earmarked for playground improvements), and Resurrection Catholic School, Cherry Hill, ($6,515).
“It’s exciting to see the wonderful projects and programs supported through the 2022 #iGiveCatholic Giving Day,” noted Stacy Napolitano, associate director of Major Gifts and Stewardship for the Development Office, adding that the initiative “provides a great opportunity for parishes, schools and ministries to spread the word about their important work and to enhance traditional fundraising at a time of year when many people are feeling generous.
“We look forward to increased participation in this year’s event and to raising more funds to helping organizations throughout the Diocese.”
Saint Clare of Assisi Parish saw the largest number of donors in the Diocese for last year’s program, with 78 individuals contributing $13,040. The parish also received a $500 prize. Resurrection Catholic School was the school with the most donors at 59. They received $1,000 from the South Jersey Scholarship Fund to be used for tuition assistance.
At Saint Clare of Assisi, the money raised “put a significant dent” in the funds needed for roof replacements in the community’s parish hall and office buildings in Swedesboro, and Gibbstown’s church and school, said Bridget Perrotto, the administrative assistant for Faith Formation.
She appreciated the faithful’s generosity. Whether in big or small amounts, “people donated what they could, and every little bit helps,” she said.
With the exterior work done on the buildings, donors looked forward to “seeing exactly where their money was going,” she said.
Through the Church of South Jersey’s efforts, tangible signs of God’s enduring graces will continue to flourish, all agreed.
“This campaign brought people together for a common goal, and this revitalization lets people know that we’re going to be around for a long time,” Perrotto said.
The #iGiveCatholic campaign will take place on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28.
Once again, the Office of Development is covering the application cost to participate; there is no registration fee for participating parishes, schools and non-profit ministries. Interested organizations are asked to email Stacy Napolitano (stacy.napolitano@camdendiocese.org) the name and contact information of your local #iGiveCatholic coordinator, to participate.
Information regarding the registration process will be sent on opening day, Aug. 14.
Additional information can be found at www.igivecatholic.org.
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