Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of Catholics across the Diocese, the Rooted in Faith - Forward in Hope campaign has distributed over $46 million of the $170 million raised. All parishes that participated in the Campaign have now received some of their Parish Share and are putting those funds to work in capital improvements, social outreach, education and debt reduction.
Below are five examples of how the Rooted in Faith - Forward in Hope campaign has benefited our parishes, and a seven-and-half minute thank you video.
No More Mortgage for Holy Angels
With a large group of parishioners gathered around him on the grounds of Holy Angels Parish in Chagrin Falls, Fr. Dan Schlegel placed the mortgage note into a fire pit and celebrated their church building as being "paid in full."
St. Albert the Great Helps the Church Grow in Comtemporary Society
Fr. Ed Estok had only been Pastor for more than a year when Rooted in Faith - Forward in Hope rolled out at St. Albert the Great. "I learned that our parishioners are committed and dedicated members of the Church and really want to see the Church grow in contemporary society," says Fr. Estok.
St. John Vianney Expands to Feed the Poor
Joyce Ristau, President of the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society looks out at the newly built St. John Vianney Food Bank and reflects on the church's ability to meet the growing needs of the community. "This makes me grateful for what I have and allows us to make a difference in the lives of families," says Joyce.
St. Clarence Parish: Visible and Inviting Improvements
When St. Clarence parishioners talk about rolling out the carpet and inviting people into their church - they are speaking literally. New carpeting will soon deck the church and the sanctuary, relpacing the worn orange carpet that has been underfoot since 1990-91 when the church was built.
Visitation of Mary in Akron Gets a Faith Lift
"Our parishioners gave from their want. They didn't have a lot of disposable income, so they really gave from their heart," says Fr. Jonathan Zingales, pastor at Visitation of Mary, an Akron inner-city parish of 390 families.