Our Heritage, Our Hope is a campaign, unprecedented in the history of the diocese, to raise $32,000,000.  The primary objective of the campaign is to further enhance the mission of our church here in South Carolina.  This campaign will help address both current and future needs. 

2. What are the specific needs being addressed by the campaign?

The ten specific needs addressed by the campaign are:

• Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Restoration
• Catholic Education
• Priests Retirement Endowment
• Local Parish Support
• Seminarian Education Support
• Religious Ministry Support
• Diocesan Conference and Retreat Center
• Catholic Charities Endowment
• Hispanic Ministry Endowment
• 2006 Bishop's Stewardship Appeal

3. How are the parishes asked to participate?

Each of the 118 parishes and missions will conduct their own effort for Our Heritage, Our Hope with the assistance of the campaign staff.  The parishes will be conducting their local campaigns during three different time periods throughout 2005 and 2006.

4. What has led the diocese to begin a campaign of this magnitude?

Initially the effort began with the pressing need to save the Cathedral of John the Baptist from deterioration caused by weather on the sandstone façade.  Through consultation with every pastor in the Diocese, diocesan directors and a direct mail survey of 7,000 families, a realization developed of the vital need for support for Hispanic ministries, Catholic schools and the social outreach of the Church. Many of these needs were first identified in the Synod of Charleston in 1995.

5. Why is the diocese having a campaign now?

It is paramount to address these pressing needs now.  Parts of the Cathedral are scaling off which brings the protection of the interior into question.  The needs of Spanish-speaking people continue to mount.  Quality education for our children and seminarians is a must. And needed support for those who have given their lives in service us is growing.  If we delay in this major campaign these needs will only increase and be more difficult to deal with down the road.

6. Has the Diocese of Charleston ever undertaken a capital campaign of this magnitude?

This is the first campaign of this scope in the history of the Diocese of Charleston.

7. Why has the name Our Heritage, Our Hope been chosen as the name of the campaign?

Our Heritage, Our Hope recognizes the continuity of this campaign with the work of the Synod of Charleston initiated under Bishop David Thompson.  Many of the needs that will be addressed by this campaign were identified under his leadership.
Our Heritage, Our Hope also recognizes our responsibility in preserving what has been passed on to us and our responsibility in providing for the needs of the Church in the future.

8. There have been a number of fundraising campaigns in our area and across the diocese, will these other campaigns have an adverse effect on the Our Heritage, Our Hope campaign?

It is exciting to see the growth and vibrancy in many of our parishes, schools and ministries.  These other campaigns, though challenging, have helped to raise a greater awareness about the needs of our Church.  The success of other parish, school, and University campaigns has been a great process for all of our people and we believe they will benefit this campaign and other diocesan projects.

9. Will this campaign replace the Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal (BSA)?

No.  The BSA is a significant part of this campaign.  $2 million is earmarked for the ministries and offices that serve the Diocese.  The BSA is rolled into this campaign for 2006; the following year, it will resume as before.  The reasoning behind this is funding from the BSA provides the essentials for existing ministries and the operation of the Diocese.  It also made sense to conduct this campaign in conjunction with the capital campaign as opposed to running two separate appeals in the same year. 

10. Will this campaign address all the financial challenges facing the Diocese?

No.  As in any household, there is always more that can be done and more that needs to be done.  The $32 million goal will begin to address some of the most pressing needs facing the Diocese.

11. Does the Diocese anticipate conducting another capital campaign in the future?

No, not in the foreseeable future.  Right now our focus is on this project.

12. The Diocese has retained Guidance In Giving, Inc. to help with the “Our Heritage, Our Hope” Campaign.  Why did you select this team of professionals to come on board?

The Diocese has never attempted a campaign on this scale.  All those involved in the decision-making process agreed it would be wise to have experienced fundraising professionals involved with the project.  Guidance In Giving, Inc. is a consulting firm that deals exclusively with Catholic dioceses and parishes in their stewardship and development efforts.  They were willing to take time and meet every pastor in the diocese, to get to know the Diocese inside and out in order to make insightful recommendations for the format of this drive.  Their professionalism and proven track record with successful capital campaigns were significant factors in the decision to have them help us.

13. What has been the reaction of the clergy to this campaign?

The priests in the Diocese of Charleston have been very supportive of this campaign, for the most part.  It is understandable that not many priests enjoy raising money. They are, however, realistic about the needs that face the larger Church.  For some it is an opportunity to educate the people, for others, an opportunity to accomplish a parish project along with the diocesan campaign.  All in all, there has been a general willingness to work for the good of the entire Church.

14. How much will it cost to restore the Cathedral?

One goal of our campaign is to ensure that the Cathedral continues to maintain its vitality and preeminence as a house of worship, prayer, and inspiration for all people.  The cost of this project is estimated at $7,000,000 with the Cathedral parish taking responsibility to raise half of this amount.  The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist will celebrate its 100 year anniversary 2007.  The diocese must continue to preserve its center of Liturgy and Spiritual life. 
 
 

15. What are receptions and what is their purpose?

Receptions held in parishes, are simply informational gatherings that provide an opportunity to learn about the campaign and ask for support.  They emphasize the personal nature of giving; allowing for a thorough presentation of the campaign needs and give parishioners an opportunity to ask questions.

16. How will the Our Heritage, Our Hope Campaign affect parish-operating income?

In the short term, offertory giving should remain constant or even increase.  Throughout the Our Heritage, Our Hope Campaign, parishioners will be asked to make pledges above and beyond their regular giving.    Parishioners are not asked to diminish giving to their parishes, but rather, are asked to consider a greater sacrifice and commitment to their church.  In the long term, similar campaigns in many parishes have enhanced offertory levels and parish stewardship.

17. How much will it cost to conduct the Our Heritage, Our Hope  Campaign?

Although the expenses are based on bids and flat fees, the diocese projects the campaign to cost approximately 6 percent of the established campaign target.  This is well below the cost of many fundraising efforts, which often exceed 10 percent of their overall goal.  Funds raised from the Our Heritage, Our Hope Campaign will go to cover expenses.

18. How were the parish targets determined?

The parish targets are based on the annual offertory of a parish from the years 2003/2004.  However, this campaign is based on a “Good Faith Effort”, and is NOT an assessment. 

19. How will parishioners be contacted during the Our Heritage, Our Hope Campaign?

It is intended that every Catholic family within the diocese be presented with the needs and objectives of the campaign.  This will be achieved through a variety of ways including personal visits, receptions, pulpit announcements, mailings, brochures, and a campaign video.

20. Why are parishioners asked to pledge different amounts?  Would dividing the parish target by the number of households be an easier and fairer method?

We understand that each families situation is different.  We are asking every family in the diocese to make an equal sacrifice to the campaign.  What that sacrifice is, will be different for each family.  Some families will be able to give more than others, but we ask that the sacrifice be the same.

21. How much should I give to the Our Heritage,Our Hope Capital Campaign?

All parishioners are asked to consider a sacrificial gift to the campaign in the spirit of Christian Stewardship.  Families who are working toward the traditional Stewardship model or 5% to their parish, 1% to the BSA and 4% to other charities are asked to consider contributing a portion of the "other charities" to this campaign.  Parishioners are asked to prayerfully consider a specific gift plan in accordance with their own means and circumstances.  Pledges are payable in monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual installments over a four to five year period. The principles of Stewardship promote equal sacrifices rather than equal gifts.

22. Why are pledges encouraged, instead of one-time donations?

Pledges provide parishioners with the opportunity to make a more significant gift to the mission of the Church.  A contribution is easier to pay off over a period of time rather than out of pocket. 

23. Will any of these funds be used for items other than the 10 designated elements?

Absolutely NOT.  The funds raised for Our Heritage, Our Hope will be used exclusively for the ten elements.  Bishop Baker has unequivocally stated that none of these funds will be used to settle any lawsuits or be used for legal fees.  The diocese has both a legal and moral obligation to restrict these funds for the ten stated elements after the campaign costs are realized.