Archbishop s Annual Appeal Training Manual - Table of Contents

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1 Archbishop s Annual Appeal Training Manual - Table of Contents This manual is available on our website: (see instructions on p. 36) Stewardship Prayer Page 1 The 2014 Archbishop s Annual Appeal Case Page 2 Ministries, Programs, and Services Funded by the Appeal Campaign, Parish Goals, and Parish Rebates Page 3 Page Archbishop s Annual Appeal Calendar Page 7 Parish Leadership Job Descriptions Page Parish Committee Implementation Objectives Page 13 Initial Announcement of the Campaign - Jan , Jan , Feb. 1-2 Page 15 Preparation for Announcement Weekend February 2-7 Page 16 Announcement Weekend February 8-9 Page 19 Preparation for Commitment Weekend - February Page 20 Commitment Weekend February Page 23 Follow-Up Weekend February Continuing Campaign Management Page 27 Page 31 Text of Archbishop Lori s Homily for Commitment Weekend Page 38 Bannon Associates, Inc. and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore (2014)

2 Stewardship Prayer O God, the Father of every gift, all we have and all we are comes down from You. Teach us to recognize the effects of Your boundless care and to love You with a sincere heart. Strengthened by Your gifts of courage and joy, grant that we may serve You more devotedly and be worthy of still further blessings. Grant us the grace and the resolve to be protectors of Your gifts and to come to the aid of our brothers and sisters, especially those who are most in need. Grant Your blessing to this effort of this whole local Church, so that the light of Your Gospel may scatter the darkness of want and Your children may advance in the path of salvation and love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 1

3 The 2014 Archbishop s Annual Appeal Case 2014 ARCHBISHOP S ANNUAL APPEAL KEY DATES February 8-9 Announcement Weekend February Commitment Weekend February Follow Up Weekend BE PROTECTORS OF GOD S GIFTS Pope Francis uttered these words at his Mass of Installation on March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph and will serve as the theme for the 2014 Archbishop s Annual Appeal. This theme will be expanded upon by Archbishop Lori in his homily on Commitment Weekend, February 15-16, The programs, ministries, and services funded by the Archbishop s Annual Appeal offer not only direct assistance to individuals and families, but also offer assistance to parishes and schools as they carry out their missions in every area of the Archdiocese. In many cases, these are answers to the prayers of the people served. Each year, more parishes find that implementing this campaign plan results not only in reaching and exceeding their goals but also both those parishes and the Archdiocese receive more funds for critical ministries and services. The challenge now is to strive each year to increase the number of responses to the Archbishop s mailing and to conduct the in-pew process more effectively. As parishes get used to a process it is easy to miss a step in the process. By effectively inviting and encouraging parishioners to participate, parish leaders not only assure that their parishes will reach and exceed their goals, they also generate rebates (25% of all funds raised up to the parish goal amount and 50% of all funds received over goal) for use as designated by the parishes. By conducting the full campaign, from promoting response to the Archbishop s mailing to conducting the Announcement, Commitment, and Follow-Up Weekends as asked in this plan, each parish will assure maximum participation. Although it is wonderful when an individual contributor is able to give more to the campaign each year, the real goal of this plan is to maximize participation by securing more contributors. Effective leadership of the campaign at the parish level will assure the Archdiocese s ability to fully fund the allocations listed in the campaign case statement and many more parishes will receive larger rebates that can then be used for their local ministries and services. The funding provided to the parishes through rebates helps them to meet their needs with money that is not taxed by the Archdiocese. Best of all, there has been no evidence that conducting the Annual Appeal by following the plan negatively affects parish income. 2

4 Ministries, Programs, and Services Funded by the 2014 Archbishop s Annual Appeal 1. Parish Rebates (25% of funds up to goal and 50% of funds over goal) 2. Tuition Assistance Grants and Special Education Funding for Catholic Schools 3. Religious Education and Vacation Bible School 4. Youth Ministry Grants for Parishes 5. Support for the Archdiocesan Youth Retreat Center and College Campus Ministry 6. Pro-Life Ministries including Respect Life and Project Rachel 7. Hispanic Ministry and Outreach throughout the Archdiocese 8. Grants to Parishes for capital emergencies 9. Catholic Charities 10. International Outreach to Haiti and support for the Holy Father in Rome 11. Deaf Ministry, Camp GLOW, and Disability Access Improvements 12. U.S. Home Missions and Interfaith Housing Alliance of Western Maryland 13. Outreach through Ministry to Seamen and Prison Ministry 14. Care and comfort through AIDS Ministry and Hospital Chaplaincy 15. Vocations What is the Archbishop s Annual Appeal? The Archdiocese of Baltimore conducts an annual fundraising campaign (as is the case in most dioceses in the United States), to help fund the work of its departments, agencies, ministries, offices, and other services. Without such appeals, the mission, ministry, education, and outreach provided by the Archdiocese would have to be funded almost totally through the cathedracticum, the tax that all parishes pay to the Archdiocese. While direct contributions made to annual appeals do not come out of parish income, a higher tax would. Why should people give to the Appeal? It is important to provide parishioners with an opportunity to share their financial gifts to help provide Catholic education, ministry, and services to the people, parishes, and schools throughout our Archdiocese. The Annual Appeal also provides a teachable moment. It allows parish leaders the opportunity to talk about the connectedness of our Church. Every time that we say the Creed, we reaffirm the fact that we are members of One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. However, often people don t reflect on the meaning of these words. The Appeal provides an opportunity to reflect upon the fact that every Catholic is part of a local Church and of the Universal Church. Each of us is responsible not only for his or her parish, but also for the well being of the Church throughout our Archdiocese and throughout the world. Since we are one community of believers, members of all parish communities throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore are asked to give to this campaign. 3

5 Campaign and Parish Goals and Parish Rebates How are parish goals determined? Parish goals are set at 9% of the parish offertory income (Sundays, Holy days, Christmas, and Easter) from FY We have used the information provided on the parish financial statements that were submitted after June 30, Note that these numbers are taken from the closings of 18 months ago, not the reports submitted. Are parish goals mandatory? No. The 2014 goals are not mandatory. It is expected that all parishes will implement the plan for the Appeal and will generate a substantial amount of in-pew pledges. If this is not the case, how goals and rebates are set may need to be revisited for future campaigns. How does the rebate policy work? Each parish receives 25% of collected funds from their parishioners until its goal is reached. At that point, the parish receives 50% of all additional funds received over goal. Rebates will be distributed quarterly. All rebates will be returned to parishes and they may decide on how to use them. Each parish was asked to submit a Parish Rebate Spending Plan form so that the Archdiocese could know how each parish is using their rebates. For those parishes that wish to provide parish-rebate funds to a school, the Archdiocese is offering a tuition match program; parishes that designate rebate funds to a parish/regional school can apply for a tuition-match grant for up to ⅓ of the total parish rebate amount. A maximum of $300,000 will be available for distribution across the Archdiocese. How can a parish meet and exceed its goal? There are five steps that, if followed, will assure that parishes reach and exceed their goals. 1. Promote the Archbishop s Mailing - Parish members who have given to the campaign in recent years will receive a mailing from the Archbishop. All other households will receive an or targeted mailing promoting the Appeal. 2. Thoroughly conduct the In-Pew Process - The next step is the in-pew solicitation process, described later in this manual. When in-pew and mail results are combined, many parishes exceed goal on the first weekend of the in-pew process. However, all parishes should conduct the full in-pew process for two weekends to assure that the amount paid by parishioners will reach and exceed parish goals. 4

6 3. Follow-Up Mailings - Because there are so many people who give intermittently to campaigns such as the Annual Appeal (as many as ⅓ of each year s contributors will not give in the early phases of the next year s campaign), the Archdiocese will conduct follow-up mailings to assist parishes in exceeding their goals and receiving rebates. However, none of these follow-up mailings are as effective as the parish promotion of the initial mailing and its thorough performance of the in-pew solicitation process. If a parish is far short of goal after these first two phases, no amount of mailing will get it over goal. 4. Encourage a Positive Response to Telephone Follow-Up Not all of those that gave in the last couple of years but not in the current campaign will respond to follow-up mailings. Many will respond to follow-up phone calls. When you are notified by the Archdiocese that phoning will begin (usually during the summer), please use bulletin and altar announcements to ask people to make a pledge. Remember, each and every paid pledge increases parish rebates. 5. Encourage Pledge Payments - Finally, parishes that have experienced pledge payment problems must concentrate on using the collection announcements (both bulletin and altar) that are contained in this manual. All parishes should take advantage of the support offered by the Department of Development and the campaign consultant. Please call if you are experiencing any problems during the solicitation or collection phases of the Appeal to have your call directed to the appropriate individual. Why is the in-pew solicitation process so important? When the majority of parishes fully implement the in-pew process, about 60% of the number of pledges will come from the in-pew phase and 40% from the direct mail phases. In addition, about 40% of the dollars pledged come from the in-pew phase and 60% from the mail. % of Donors % of Total Funds Raised In-Pew 60% 40% Direct Mail 40% 60% The in-pew solicitation process must be followed meticulously. Many people ignore direct mail and many others are not on their parish list and, therefore, don t receive the mail. It is important to do the full in-pew process as directed in this campaign plan because it will succeed in obtaining pledges from far more people than just inviting people to take envelopes home or to stop at a table. The in-pew process assures that each parishioner who attends Mass on Commitment and Follow-up Weekends understands that he/she is being invited to consider making a pledge at that time. 5

7 Why must the in-pew process be done on Follow-up Weekend? Many Catholics do not attend Mass at their own parish every weekend. If they miss Mass on Commitment Weekend, they are more likely to pledge during the in-pew followup process than if they are to stop at a table after Mass. If the parish nears or exceeds its goal on Commitment Weekend, the 50% of the funds collected from pledges received from the Follow-up Weekend in-pew process become rebates. If a parish has not made its goal on Commitment Weekend, the Follow-up Weekend in-pew goes a long way toward reaching and exceeding goal. What impact does the Archdiocesan Capital Campaign have on the Appeal? The Archdiocese of Baltimore has entered into an Archdiocesan-wide Capital Campaign for the benefit of several key areas within the archdiocese. Parishes will be conducting capital campaigns for these areas, and in some cases, for local projects and initiatives. This campaign will span four years, with individual parish campaigns being conducted over 6-month periods. The Archbishop s Annual Appeal will continue throughout the Archdiocesan Capital Campaign, but there may be schedule adjustments made to accommodate parishes conducting campaigns during the traditional timeframe of the Appeal. 6

8 2014 Archbishop s Annual Appeal Calendar JANUARY 2014 January 10, 2014 (Monday) o Initial Direct Mailing is sent out January th (Monday Thursday) o TRAINING SESSIONS January th (Saturday and Sunday) o PARISH BULLETIN AND PULPIT ANNOUNCEMENTS BEGIN FEBRUARY 2014 February 8-9 th (Saturday and Sunday) o ANNOUNCEMENT WEEKEND February th (Saturday and Sunday) o COMMITMENT WEEKEND In-Pew Pledge Process occurs in all Parishes In-Pew Pledge Envelopes should be sent to the Development Department during the week of February 17-21, 2014 for processing February rd (Saturday and Sunday) o FOLLOW-UP WEEKEND In-Pew Pledge Process occurs in all Parishes In-Pew Pledge Envelopes should be sent to the Development Department during the week of February 24-28, 2014 for processing APRIL 2014 April 14 th (Monday) o Second Direct Mailing is sent out (subject to change) JUNE 2014 June 16 th (Monday) o Third Direct Mailing is sent out (subject to change) OR Second Direct Mailing to Block 7 Parishes 7

9 JULY 2014 July 16 th (Wednesday) o Telephone solicitation calls begin (subject to change) OCTOBER 2014 October 15 th (Wednesday) o Fourth Direct Mailing is sent out (subject to change) of Third Direct Mailing to Block 7 Parishes DECEMBER, 2014 Publish closing Tabloid with the 2014 results for all parishes. December 31, 2014 Appeal Closes. 8

10 PARISH LEADERSHIP JOB DESCRIPTION PASTOR/PASTORAL LIFE DIRECTOR The Pastor or Pastoral Life Director will provide leadership to the Parish Community and the Archbishop s Annual Appeal Parish Committee by publicly endorsing the campaign and ensuring that the parish plan and schedule are followed. He or she will work with the Appeal Committee and the Department of Development to ensure a successful Appeal process. The Pastor/PLD will participate in and oversee the completion of the following activities: Recruit the parish Archbishop s Annual Appeal Committee (Co-Chairpersons and Secretary) Submit all Archbishop s Annual Appeal forms distributed by the Department of Development Attend one Annual Appeal training session during the week of January , and ensure that all Committee members attend a training session Brief all Presiders on the activities of Announcement, Commitment, and Follow- Up Weekends Implement all activities for Announcement Weekend on February 8-9, 2014 Implement all activities for Commitment Weekend on February15-16, 2014 Implement all activities for Follow-Up Weekend on February 22-23, 2014 Be available at all masses on Announcement and Commitment Weekends Encourage support for the Appeal by personally endorsing the Appeal and: o Pastor/Ordained PLD: Provide a theological basis for participation during the preaching of a homily from the readings of the day at all Masses on Announcement Weekend o PLD: Speak with the Presider of each mass to incorporate a similar message into his homily, in conjunction with your comments on the Appeal directly following the homily Introduce the Archbishop s taped homily at all Masses on Commitment Weekend (There is no need for any additional homily that day since the Archbishop s homily is from the readings of the day.) Immediately after the Archbishop s homily, lead the process of completing the inpew pledge envelopes at all Masses on Commitment Weekend The Pastor/PLD is asked to assure that the following tasks are completed: Include Prayers of the Faithful, Bulletin, and Altar Announcements on designated weekends (as specified in the manual) Distribute the campaign tabloid into the parish bulletin on Announcement Weekend (Parishes using Fata will have tabloid inserted prior to delivery) Prepare the in-pew envelopes and pencils for Commitment and Follow-Up Weekends Recruit students and/or ushers to assist with the in-pew process on Commitment and Follow-Up Weekends 9

11 Update parishioners about the parish s Archbishop s Annual Appeal results and progress toward achieving its assigned goal on a regular basis Encourage timely pledge payments 10

12 APPEAL CO-CHAIR JOB DESCRIPTION The Archbishop s Annual Appeal Co-Chairperson will assist with the overall parish management and implementation for the Archbishop s Annual Appeal. He or she will work with fellow Appeal parish leadership team members (Appeal Co-Chairperson, Appeal Secretary, and the Pastor/PLD) and other volunteers to ensure that all preparations for the in-parish appeal events that will occur on February 8-9; February 15-16; and February 22-23, 2014 are completed. The Co-Chairperson will participate in and oversee the completion of the following activities: TRAINING AND VOLUNTEERS Attend one Annual Appeal training session during the week of January 13- January 16, 2014 Ensure that all Annual Appeal parish leadership team members and parish staff are familiar with the Appeal plan and implementation dates Ensure that all other volunteers for the Annual Appeal are trained to complete their assigned tasks Work with the Co-Chairperson and the Appeal Secretary to recruit and train the student volunteers and ushers who will distribute and collect the in-pew envelopes at each mass on Commitment and Follow-up Weekends Assign an In-Pew Coordinator at all Commitment and Follow-up Weekend masses PUBLICITY AND MATERIALS Ensure that appropriate and sufficient Annual Appeal materials (based upon the order submitted by the parish) are ready for use on the in-parish weekends and contact the Department of Development if more materials are needed Work with the pastor and bulletin editor to ensure that all bulletin announcements, altar announcements, and prayers of the faithful are properly reviewed, edited, and used on an appropriate schedule Work with the parish bulletin editor to ensure that all bulletin and altar announcements promoting the direct-mail and in-pew solicitation are used Work with the parish bulletin editor to ensure that all bulletin and altar announcements needed to stimulate pledge payments are used IN-CHURCH ACTIVITIES Oversee preparations for and implementation of Announcement, Commitment, and Follow-up Weekend activities, ensuring that the in-pew process is thoroughly and effectively accomplished Supervise the distribution and collection of pledge envelopes at all masses (in the absence of an In-Pew Coordinator) Ensure that the Appeal Secretary has enough assistance to accomplish accurate processing and timely transmittal of pledges to the Department of Development Contact the Department of Development for assistance when necessary 11

13 APPEAL SECRETARY The Archbishop s Annual Appeal Secretary will provide administrative support for the implementation of the Archbishop s Annual Appeal. He or she will work with fellow Appeal parish leadership team members (Co-Chairpersons and the Pastor/PLD) and other volunteers to convey information, organize task execution, and create detailed records. The Annual Appeal Secretary will be available for Announcement, Commitment, and Follow-up Weekends to assist as needed. It is highly recommended that the Appeal Secretary be a member of the parish staff. The Secretary will participate in and oversee the completion of the following activities: TRAINING AND VOLUNTEERS Attend one Annual Appeal training session during the week of January 13-16, 2014 Organize volunteers to insert campaign tabloids into parish bulletins for Announcement Weekend (Parishes using Fata will have tabloid inserted prior to delivery) Organize volunteers to insert pencils into the in-pew envelopes for Commitment and Follow-up Weekends PUBLICITY AND MATERIALS Ensure that appropriate and sufficient Annual Appeal materials (based on the parish-submitted order form) have been delivered and contact the Department of Development if more materials are needed Work with the Bulletin Editor and Co-Chairs to ensure that bulletin announcements, altar announcements, and prayers of the faithful are used IN-CHURCH ACTIVITIES Assist with Commitment Weekend in-pew events, as needed Assure that sufficient in-pew supplies are available and accessible for all followup weekend masses Assist with Follow-up Weekend in-pew events, as needed MISCELLANEOUS TASKS Oversee all record keeping and transmittals Update the Department of Development regularly with any changes, additions, or deletions to the parish mailing list or parish roster during the course of the inparish weekends and throughout the year Ensure that all pledge envelopes are collected and transmitted to the Department of Development, one shipment sent by Wednesday after Commitment Weekend and a second shipment sent by Wednesday after Follow-up Weekend Ensure the additions and modifications from the Archbishop s Annual Appeal donor list are applied to the parish roster or parish mailing list Contact the Department of Development for assistance as necessary 12

14 2014 Parish Committee Implementation Objectives Objective 1: To use the materials and announcements provided to assure that your parishioners are well informed about the Archbishop s Annual Appeal. Put up posters. Use the Petitions, Bulletin Announcements, and Altar Announcements. Insert the Annual Appeal tabloid in your bulletins for distribution on Announcement Weekend. These will provide information for parishioners who did not receive or read the mail and will provide additional information to those who did. (Parishes using Fata to supply their bulletins will have the tabloid inserted into the bulletin prior to delivery.) Pastor preaches/pld speaks enthusiastically about the campaign at all Masses on Announcement Weekend. Pastor/PLD introduces and plays Archbishop s recorded homily on Commitment Weekend. No additional homily is needed. Objective 2: To study the in-pew process and conduct it as detailed later in this manual. There is no other method of solicitation, except home visits, which will secure as many pledges to the Annual Appeal. Please make sure to use the process recommended in this manual. As you implement the process, make sure that you are not skipping any steps. The steps that are detailed in this manual are all necessary. The Pastor/PLD s leadership is critical to the success of the in-pew process. No other member of the parish will be as successful leading the process. People will respond in far greater numbers if the Pastor/PLD is the one reading the in-pew script on Announcement Weekend. If your parish has not tried this method, study it carefully and implement it this year. It represents the only way that leadership can be certain that all of those who attend Mass are conscious of the fact that they have been asked for support. Also, there are unregistered people in every parish who attend Mass regularly. Mail will never reach them because the parish doesn t have their names and addresses on its records. The in-pew process is the only way to provide these people with an opportunity to give. 13

15 Objective 3: To limit the number of people who do not renew their pledges by conducting the full in-pew process on follow-up Weekend. Each year as many as 30-35% of the preceding year s contributors do not pledge again during the parish phase of the campaign. This seems to have little to do with an unwillingness to give, since many will pledge when they receive followup mailings from the Archdiocese. Limit the number of lapsed contributors by following the full Archbishop s Annual Appeal Plan. Also, on any weekend, many parishioners will not attend Mass at their home parish. These parishioners, and any others that were not at your Masses on Commitment Weekend, deserve the opportunity to be effectively asked to participate. Conducting a thorough Follow-Up Weekend process will help to limit the number of previous contributors that are missed during the parish phase of this year s campaign. Objective 4: To consider your parish fulfillment rate, and, if necessary, follow the directions given throughout this manual for parishes that have a pledge collection problem. The process of making a pledge may be something very new to some members of your parish community. Please review and implement the actions to improve pledge collection that are described throughout this plan. Follow-up Weekend is especially important if your parish has a population that is new to pledging, you need to secure pledges of 50-60% over your goal to assure that the goal is reached in cash. 14

16 Initial Announcement of the Campaign January 18-19, January 25-26, February 1-2, 2014 PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL (Please include this prayer each weekend January 18-19, January and February 1-2.) Pope Francis reminds us to Be Protectors of God s Gifts. May we be inspired to match his example of humility and generous spirit as we reflect on God s abundant love for us. Let us discover how we can support the less fortunate among us by giving to the Archbishop s Annual Appeal. We pray to the Lord. BULLETIN AND PULPIT ANNOUNCEMENTS Please print the Bulletin Announcement shown below on the weekends of January 18-19, January and February 1-2. Please prepare an altar announcement referring to the Bulletin Announcement below, calling attention to the fact that many people will be receiving, or already have received, the mailing from the Archbishop. Ask them to reflect on God s gifts to them and to offer their generous support to the work of the Archdiocese. THE ARCHBISHOP S ANNUAL APPEAL BE PROTECTORS OF GOD S GIFTS The 2014 Archbishop s Annual Appeal is now underway. Many of our parishioners will receive a mailing from Archbishop Lori asking you to make a pledge to this year s Archbishop s Annual Appeal. The Appeal not only helps fund the mission of Christ in the Archdiocese of Baltimore on an annual basis, it also funds services that are of great help to the ministries here in our parish. For example, AAA funds support (INSERT SOME OF THE MINISTRIES IN YOUR PARISH THAT RECEIVE TRAINING OR OTHER FORMS OF SUPPORT.) This year, the theme of the Appeal is, Be Protectors of God s Gifts. This is especially appropriate as Pope Francis has asked us to open our hearts and minds to the Gospel and to our responsibility to be protectors of those around us. Your gift will enable archdiocesan support of ministry, education, and service that touch thousands of lives not only in our Archdiocese but throughout the world. Our parish receives 25% of each dollar contributed up to our goal of $. Then, we receive 50% of the additional funds received. This year, we will commit our parish rebates to (Insert possible uses for your rebates here.) Please answer the Archbishop s request and make a generous pledge. All pledges can be billed in ten monthly installments. Thank you in advance for your support. 15

17 Preparation for Announcement Weekend February 8-9, 2014 Process The focus of Announcement Weekend is to provide substantial information about the use of Annual Appeal funds and to advise parishioners that they will be asked to give next week during the in-pew process. Each parish committee should put up the posters and have the Archbishop s Annual Appeal tabloid inserted in parish bulletins ready for distribution after all Masses. Include the campaign in your Bulletin Announcements and the Prayers of the Faithful. Homily The Pastor s/presider s homily should be a five-to seven- minute presentation. It is suggested that the homily serve as a prelude to the Archbishop s recorded homily, which will be played on February 15-16, PLDs should work with the Presider to ensure that the homily and post-homily message are of an appropriate length and consistent message. Pastors, PLDs, and Presiders should listen to the CD as they prepare this homily in order to develop a consistent message. Possible Homily Content for February 8-9 The theme of the Archbishop s Annual Appeal is: BE PROTECTOR S OF GOD S GIFTS This theme is referenced in the February (Commitment Weekend) homily for the 2014 Archbishop s Annual Appeal. Please read/listen to the Archbishop s homily prior to preparing your homily or post-homily comments. As Pastors/Presiders prepare their homilies and PLDs prepare their comments to be delivered at mass on February 8-9, they might wish to consider the following: Talking Points for February 8-9, 2014 Pope Francis, through his humility and personal warmth, has reminded us that we can truly live integrated lives of faith once we accept God s love in our hearts. That love, flowing from Christ in the Eucharist, is reflected in the world in our parish food pantries, our classrooms, and the many programs that serve the less fortunate of our sisters and brothers. The theme for this year s Appeal is Be Protectors of God s Gifts. As Pope Francis has said, stewardship means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about. 16

18 When one part of our archdiocese is in need, in many ways our entire archdiocese suffers. It is important that we see our role as part of the larger Church. The Appeal provides you with a unique opportunity to do that to support that larger church and the good of our archdiocese, as well as supporting your parish community. Our parish serves as a rallying point, helping us to practice and to strengthen our faith. We strive to reach out to others so that they will feel God s love and hear His Word. However, we cannot stop at the boundaries of our parish. We are part of the Universal Church and part of our local Church, the Archdiocese of Baltimore. It is as part of the Archdiocese that we can multiply the expression of the Word of God and touch many thousands of people whom we could never reach on our own or as a parish. Mention ways in which other Archdiocesan programs benefit your parish staff and members and mention the use of any rebates that the parish will receive. Some examples of funded programs are: Catholic schools, religious education, and vacation bible school are supported by the Annual Appeal, Our contributions help to underwrite the work of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Your gift helps to fund Outreach and Evangelization through the Office of Hispanic Ministry, Ministry to Seamen, and International support for Haiti Catholic Charities also receives funds from the Archbishop s Annual Appeal to support outreach and ministry to the poor or struggling individuals and families. Please point out that the Archbishop s Annual Appeal is not just another special collection. The Appeal allows us to support the mission of Christ throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore on an annual basis.. This contribution serves the needs of parishes, schools, and the people throughout our Archdiocese. Inform people that next week at all Masses, the Archbishop, in his recorded homily, will be asking those who have not yet contributed to make a commitment using a pledge envelope that will be provided during Mass. Ask them to read the appeal information that they will receive along with today s bulletin. Prayerfully reflect on the generosity of God in their lives and decide 17

19 upon a suitable gift to reflect their appreciation for God s gifts. Ask people to give to help share the Good News not only with fellow Catholics, but also among all of those who look to the Archdiocese for leadership and support. GENERAL TALKING POINTS The Archbishop s Annual Appeal plays an integral role in the ability of our archdiocese to continue its good works. Many come to our door in need. We can all be proud of the fact that the Appeal allows our archdiocese to answer their needs and play an important and meaningful role in our community. The Appeal helps Catholic Charities and its more than 80 programs, provides tuition assistance for those families who have financial hardships and supports numerous other ministries of the Archdiocese. The Appeal also plays a key role in supporting your parish -- 25% to 50% of every dollar given to the Appeal goes back to the parish of the donor. (Make a specific mention of how your parish intends to use Appeal funds.) The Appeal provides an opportunity to bring us together and find unity in supporting our parish and our Archdiocese. Together, we can share in helping. Remember, Many hands make light work. 18

20 Bulletin and Pulpit Announcement Announcement Weekend February 8-9, 2014 This is the weekend that Pastors/Presiders will preach about the Archbishop s Annual Appeal at each Mass. It is also the weekend when the campaign tabloid is to be inserted in your bulletins. Please prepare a pulpit announcement that asks people to read the brochure and to come to Mass prepared to make their Archbishop s Annual Appeal pledge next weekend. Note that the in-pew envelope will have a place where those that have given by mail can indicate that fact. Please continue to use the Prayer of the Faithful. Archbishop s Annual Appeal 2014 A Time for Reflection This week, you are asked to review the Archbishop s Annual Appeal tabloid that you will receive with your bulletin today. The theme of the campaign is: Be Protectors of God s Gifts. The Annual Appeal campaign is much different than a one-time special collection. It is a pledge campaign where you can make a gift, payable over ten months. The Appeal helps to carry out the mission of Christ in the Archdiocese of Baltimore on an annual basis. A significant gift to the Archbishop s Annual Appeal will touch the lives of many others in a very positive way. The Annual Appeal provides critical funding for the many programs and ministries of the Archdiocese. As you review the work enabled by your contribution to the Archbishop s Annual Appeal, please reflect on God s gifts to you. He has given you all that you have. Your gifts to our parish, to the Archdiocese, and to the work of the Church throughout the world should be given in gratitude for the continuing gifts that God gives you. Sometimes it is difficult to envision how one pledge can help an organization the size of our Archdiocese, how it can make a real difference. But each pledge does make a difference because all parishes participate in the campaign and the gifts of many enable our Archdiocese to deliver needed ministry and services. Our combined gifts not only signify our gratitude to God, they glorify Him by enabling the work of our Archdiocese. If you received your pledge form in the mail, please complete it and mail it back. For those of you that did not receive a mailing or have not had time to respond to it, we will conduct our in-pew pledge process at all Masses next weekend and the following weekend. Our parish receives 25% of each dollar raised until we reach our goal of $. Last year, the average gift at (parish name) was $. Please prayerfully consider a pledge of this amount or greater. After we reach goal, 50% of all over goal dollars are returned to us. This year, the rebates will help us to. Thank you for your prayerful consideration and generous response. 19

21 Preparation for Commitment Weekend February 10-14, 2014 As soon as you receive the shipment of Annual Appeal supplies, open the boxes and check to make sure that you have received sufficient quantities of all items. Also, prior to Commitment Weekend, make certain that you have enough pencils. To ease the process of distribution, put a PENCIL inside each pledge envelope before distribution. Close the flap of the envelope but don t seal it. By doing this, you assure that each person has everything he or she needs when they receive the in-pew envelope. Play the Archbishop s recorded homily on the equipment that will be used on Commitment Weekend. If the equipment is adjustable, correct the base and treble for the best sound and make note of the appropriate settings. You have two copies of the homily on CD, with both the English and Spanish versions on each CD. If, for some reason, the CD does NOT work properly, call the Department of Development at (443) immediately to secure replacements. During the week prior to the in-pew process, each Presider should be briefed on the in-pew process. The Pastor/PLD will be leading the in-pew process at every Mass. In the event that the Pastor/PLD is not the Presider, the Presider should introduce the Pastor/PLD immediately after the reading of the Gospel or after the short homily. Be sure to contact the other Presiders early in the week to remind them that they will not need to prepare a homily. Training the Students and Informing the Ushers The parish should recruit students who are preparing for Confirmation, in the parish youth group, involved in the parish, or attend local Catholic high schools, to distribute and collect the pledge envelopes. This not only provides a good service project and learning experience, it also assures that you will have plenty of help. If you choose to use students, please be sure that there is enough adult supervision and sufficient training to assure that everyone who should get a pledge envelope gets one and that all completed envelopes are retrieved. You will need one student in every section of your church, about every 5 to 8 pews. You will need one adult in each side aisle to retrieve extra envelopes from some pews and to provide extra envelopes for pews that do not have enough. These adults should also take care of any people who are standing or are in the cry room, the choir loft, or the choir. If there are large numbers of standing room people, assign extra adults to them. Each parish should hold a practice session for the students. The Pastor/PLD should read through the entire script at the practice. To assure that the students attend their assigned Mass and report at the right time and place, a letter should be sent home with them after the practice session. The ushers and/or students will collect the Annual Appeal envelopes immediately after 20

22 the in-pew process. Make sure that the decision on who will do this is made and communicated well ahead of time. The kids love to do this collection but, often, the ushers are reluctant to allow them. If a parish cannot or chooses not to recruit student volunteers, the mass ushers should be used to distribute and collect the in-pew envelopes. Training the Students The Pastor/PLD and the Campaign Co-Chairperson assigned to coordinate in-pew activities should train the students. Assign the students and adults to their respective areas and have them assemble in the area of the church where they will wait for the Pastor s signal. Have the Pastor/PLD play the Archbishop s recorded homily and begin the reading of the inpew script. Have him/her give a prearranged signal that will tell the students that they should move to their assigned areas. At the point in the script where the Pastor/PLD asks a member of each household to take a pledge envelope, the students can pass the pledge envelopes down each row. The adult working the outside aisle can retrieve overages and provide envelopes where there are shortfalls. Only one adult per side aisle is needed...not one for every student. Students (or Ushers) will need the following information. It is a good idea to provide it in writing. 1. Where to report. 2. What time to report. 3. Where to pick up their supplies. 4. Where to wait for the signal that it is time to distribute their envelopes. 5. Which specific pews they will work. 6. When they will be expected to move to their assigned locations (what signal will be used and when it will be used). 7. What to do while the people are completing their pledge envelopes. 8. Where to get the collection baskets. 9. Where to empty the baskets after they collect the pledge envelopes. 10. Where to return the baskets. At least one member of the committee must be present at every Mass to make sure that the process goes smoothly and completed pledge envelopes are properly secured after each Mass. That person can brief the ushers before every Mass as to the Annual Appeal process and the role of the students. 21

23 At each Mass, a committee member should be designated to take the Annual Appeal envelopes to an appropriate, secure place after they are collected. Parishes with a History of Substantial Nonpayment of Pledges Some parishes fall far below the standard non-payment percentage (8-10%). If your parish is one of these, it is suggested that substantial efforts be made to educate parishioners on the importance of not only making, but also paying their pledges. Parishes should begin to define what a pledge is in the very first Annual Appeal Bulletin Announcement. Leadership should speak with members of the committee to determine the most effective description of what people are expected to do. Care must be taken not to discourage pledging. Something as simple as the following may help to reduce the non-payment rate. Use the following at the end of paragraph four in the script. It is important that you make your pledge payment every month. The Archdiocese will send out billings for ten months if that much time is needed to pay your pledge. Parishes Where Parishioners Are Very Concerned About Privacy If your parishioners have a serious level of concern about the privacy of their names, addresses, etc., please also state the following prior to paragraph five in the script: All information that you provide today will be shared only with the Archdiocese of Baltimore and this parish. No one else will have access to it. 22

24 Process Commitment Weekend February 15-16, 2014 The Pastor s/pld s Commitment Weekend presentation is very important to the success of the campaign. Up to this point, people have heard about the Annual Appeal and why it is so very important to support it. Some may have pledged by mail. Now is the time to ask all the rest of the parishioners for their financial support! The fact that the Pastor/PLD is asking will have a very positive effect on the importance that people place on the request. Immediately after the proclaiming of the gospel, the Pastor/PLD should introduce the Archbishop s recorded homily. There is no need for an additional homily. After the recorded homily, the Pastor/PLD should ask those who are to distribute the pledge envelopes and the pencils to come forward and distribute them. While they are coming forward, add your support to the campaign by reading the first few paragraphs of the in-pew script. Time the presentation so you are asking people to take a pledge envelope at the point where the students or ushers are at their appointed positions. Be careful not to state or imply that people should take the pledge envelopes home and bring them back. This approach always results in large numbers of pledge cards never being returned. The publicity about the program has allowed everyone plenty of time to consider his or her level of support. Now is the time to ask them to decide whether or not they will make a commitment. In-Pew Solicitation Implement the full in-pew process on Commitment and Follow-Up Weekends. Remember that many things affect the outcome of an in-pew process. Among them are the ready availability of supplies and even the attitude of the people distributing them. Immediately after Archbishop Lori s recorded homily, the Pastor/PLD should begin the in-pew process. If you have already provided envelopes and pencils in the pews, the Pastor/PLD need only be sure that one member of each household has them. The in-pew script will need to be adjusted to ask one member of each household to pick up a pledge envelope and remove the pencil. Please Note: After the pastor/pld has edited the following script, please double space it, enlarge it to 14 or 16 point type, print it, and place it in a notebook. 23

25 In-Pew Presentation Script To be used by Pastors/PLDs on Commitment Weekend February 15-16, 2014 Good morning. Today we are conducting the Archbishop s Annual Appeal, the annual campaign that asks all parishioners to make a financial commitment to the Archdiocese of Baltimore As your Pastor (PLD), I want to thank all of you who have given to this campaign in past years. I can assure you that the funds you gave are deeply appreciated by the parishes, schools, and people served by the Archdiocese. Each of us is called to share his or her gifts in support of the Church. We must first support our parish and then our Archdiocese and the Church throughout the world. The Annual Appeal of the Archdiocese of Baltimore is a very effective way to support ministry outside of our parish boundaries, as well as to support the services that the Archdiocese provides to our parish. So, I ask one member of each household to take a pledge envelope and a pencil as it is passed down the pew even if you have already given in the mail or cannot give at this time. You can indicate either of those choices on the envelope. (Pause and make sure that everyone has received a pledge envelope and pencil. Pay special attention to people who are standing and in the cry room or choir loft and don t forget the members of the choir. Once everyone has an envelope, continue with the script.) I am going to guide you through the process in order to minimize the time that it takes. Now, please open the flap and find the pledge form and the pencil. (Pause and wait until about half of those participating are looking back at you.) Please print your first name and your last name on the top line. (Pause and wait until about half of those participating are looking back at you.) On the second line, please print your spouse s first name and last name if it is different from yours. (Pause as above.) On the third line, please print your address including any unit or apartment number. If you have recently changed addresses, please mark the new address box. (Pause as above.) 24

26 On the fourth line, please print your city, state, and zip code. (Pause as above.) On the fifth line, please print your telephone number and your primary address. (Pause as above.) On the next line, please indicate the name of our parish and city so that we will receive credit for the gift. If you are a visitor and are a member of another parish in the Archdiocese, you may indicate that parish. (Pause as above.) If you have already made a pledge by mail, check the box that indicates I have already given to the Annual Appeal through the mail. PLEASE DO NOT INDICATE ANY ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION ON THE FORM. WE DO NOT WANT TO DOUBLE COUNT YOUR PLEDGE. I ask everyone else to look at the gift boxes on the right side of the form and check the amount that you wish to give. Your pledge will be billed over ten months or longer if necessary. Also, there is no need to provide a down payment today unless you choose to do so. In the event that you wish to contribute an amount other than the ones indicated, please check the Other Box and indicate the full amount of your pledge on the blank line to its right. (Pause as above.) Now, please look at the lines provided on the lower right-hand side of the pledge envelope. Indicate the total amount that you pledged on the first line. In the event that you are making a down payment, write the amount of the down payment in the next box. (Pause 5 seconds.) Subtract the down payment from the full amount of your pledge and note the remaining pledge balance on the line provided. (Pause 5 seconds.) If you do not wish to contribute, please check the box on the lower left side of the envelope, stating I do not wish to make a gift to the Annual Appeal at this time. (Pause 5 seconds) 25

27 I will give you another moment to complete your credit card information, if you wish to use your card. Please note that you can check a box below the credit card information that will tell us to bill you in ten monthly installments or to process the full amount in one payment. (Pause 25 seconds) Please tear off the pledge form and place it in the envelope. Please seal the envelope and be sure to keep the pencil separate. The ushers will now collect your pledge envelopes and pencils. On behalf of Archbishop Lori and myself, I thank you for your contribution to the Archbishop s Annual Appeal. May God bless you. 26

28 Follow-up Weekend February 22-23, 2014 Introduction The campaign s primary objective is participation. Each year, after the initial mailing and the parish phase of the Annual Appeal campaign have been concluded, a significant number of the donors from the previous year will not have renewed. These are not necessarily people who do not want to give. Many of them will renew during the followup mailings. Since people are given an opportunity to refuse to give when the in-pew process takes place, it is fair to assume that most of those who skip a year of contributing to the campaign simply missed the mail and in-pew solicitations. There will be far fewer skippers in those parishes that conduct the full in-pew process on Commitment Weekend and again on Follow-Up Weekend. Conducting the process on two weekends also saves the campaign a significant amount of money. In-pew solicitation is obviously the least expensive way to secure a pledge. Follow-up solicitations do cost money and it sometimes takes two or three mailings before the letters are opened and a response is received. Preparations The person coordinating the in-pew process will need to perform the same set-up steps that were followed for Commitment Weekend. Prepare the pledge envelopes and pencils. Be sure to arrange for the volunteers that will help with the process at each Mass. Make sure that one person is assigned to manage the process at each Mass. On Follow-Up Weekend, however, there will be a different presenter at each Mass. Lay Parish Leaders will need to be asked to lead the in-pew process, or the Presider can lead the process. The homily need not be about the campaign but should be brief to allow time for repeating the in-pew process. If you amended the script from last weekend, add those amendments here. Once the presenter for each Mass is selected, the in-pew coordinator will need to meet with them to assure that they know what to do and will do it in a consistent manner. Please note: Once the Follow-up Weekend presenters have had an opportunity to edit their script, please double space it, enlarge it to 14 or 16 point type, print it, and place it in a notebook. 27