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2 Introduction and FAQ What is the Walk with Francis pledge? This initiative of the Archdiocese of Washington and Catholic Charities is an opportunity for you to make a commitment to follow the Pope s example of faith and service. We are asking everyone to consider signing the Pledge which invites you to commit to one or more of the following: Pray regularly for the Holy Father and learn about the message of the joy of the Gospel, the mercy of God and the love of Christ. Serve by reaching out and caring for those in need and supporting charitable efforts in our community and beyond. Act to promote human life and dignity, justice and peace, family life and religious freedom, care for creation and the common good. How do I use this toolkit? This toolkit is full of resources to help you celebrate and share the Walk with Francis pledge in your parish. It contains: Information about the Walk with Francis pledge. Information and instructions for Parish Pledge Weekend September 5-6. What to do with the Pope Francis cardboard cutout included in the package. What to do with #WalkwithFrancis wristbands included in the package. Liturgical resources for each week, including intercessions, bulletin announcements, and pulpit announcements. A bulletin insert promoting the pledge. Digital media guide The bulk of this toolkit is the timeline which starts one month before the Holy Father arrives in the U.S. and continues through one month after he departs. We have organized all of the information you need reminders, intercessions, bulletin announcements, and pulpit announcements in an easy-to-follow week-by-week format. Each week, pay attention to the notes and reminders, and then utilize the prayer and announcements to celebrate and share the pledge in your parish. Who can take the pledge? Anyone can take the pledge! Pledges can be made by individuals or families, book clubs or Bible study groups, whole classes, or parish councils. Youth groups are welcomed and senior groups as well. We invite you to make this pledge your own. And this pledge is not just for Catholics local businesses and our brothers and sisters of other faiths are taking the pledge to show their gratitude for Pope Francis example and ministry. They show us that we have many partners in the work of building communities of compassion and mercy. u 1

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4 How does someone take the pledge? To take the pledge, go to and sign up to pray, serve, or act. Then carry out your commitments as an example to others of faith and service. Can people take the pledge more than once? How can groups take the pledge? Absolutely, people can take the pledge more than once! Encourage people to take the pledge as individuals and in groups. Here are some ideas for encouraging people in your parish to take and share the pledge: Take the pledge as a priest in the presence of the parish, and challenge others to take the pledge with you. Encourage parish leadership groups to take the pledge as a group (e.g. parish staff, parish council, finance council, ministry teams, etc.) Take the pledge as a parish community and build the commitment into worship or parish life. Encourage families to take the pledge together. Encourage parishioners to take the pledge with co-workers or to challenge co-workers to take the pledge. Reach out to neighboring organizations or faith communities and invite them to join you in taking the pledge. What happens to our pledges? Walk with Francis pledges help make a real difference in transforming our community and fostering a culture of faith and service. Additionally, pledges received prior to the Pope s visit will be collected and compiled into a book and presented to him as a gift while he is here in Washington. What is Parish Pledge Weekend? Parish Pledge Weekend is September 5-6. At all Masses that weekend, all of the parishes in the Archdiocese of Washington will promote the Walk with Francis pledge during Mass and encourage parishioners to take the pledge. We are encouraging parishes to utilize a similar in-mass process as is used for the Cardinal s appeal. This is a great opportunity to highlight to our parishioners the value of their God-given time and talent as well as their treasure. Pledges collected during this weekend will be included with all of the pledges presented as a gift to the Holy Father during his visit. See the GUIDE later in this toolkit for more detailed information. In-Pew Pledge Cards and envelopes are also in the package you received. How can I use the Bulletin Insert? Included in this toolkit is a bulletin insert encouraging people to take the pledge. You can also find it online at Consider including this insert in your bulletins during the weeks surrounding Pope Francis s visit. We also suggest printing off extra copies and place them near the Pope Francis cardboard cutout in the back of your church. u 3

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6 How can I use the Digital Media Guide? The Digital Media Guide is designed to support your online outreach. Sample tweets and social media posts can be found online at On that same webpage, you can find web banners and code for embedding Walk with Francis videos into your parish website. If you have questions about how best to use this resource, please contact Sarah Yaklic, the director of digital media at or yaklics@adw.org. What should I do with the Pope Francis cardboard cutout? Pope Francis is coming to your parish foyer! A cardboard cutout of Pope Francis is included in this package. Set it up in the back of your church. Consider setting Walk with Francis pledge materials (such as the included bulletin insert flier) near the Pope Francis cutout. Encourage parishioners and parish groups to take photos or selfies with the Pope cutout. A photo with the Pope cutout is a great way for people to share that they are taking the pledge! What are #WalkWithFrancis wristbands for? #WalkWithFrancis wristbands included in this package are a way for parishioners to witness, I took the #WalkWithFrancis Pledge! Share the wristbands in a big bowl at the back of your church with pledge information and the Pope Francis cutout. Also consider handing out the wristbands to everyone who takes the pledge to walk with Francis during the Parish Pledge Weekend. u 5

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8 Timeline for Celebrating the Holy Father s Visit and the Walk with Francis Pledge August 23rd Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time One month until Pope Francis arrives in the Archdiocese of Washington! Add the included Walk with Francis pledge bulletin insert to your bulletins for the next few weeks. Parish Pledge Weekend is September 5-6th. Intercession: For the Holy Father s visit to the United States in one month, that it may be a time of renewal and transformation in our communities, in our families, and in our hearts. We pray to the Lord. Bulletin Announcement: Pope Francis is coming to the Archdiocese of Washington and you are invited to be a part of the journey! This September we welcome Pope Francis first and foremost by committing to follow his inspirational example. We are challenging local individuals and organizations to take the pledge to Walk with Francis by choosing to pray, serve, or act in a new way to advance his mission and ministry in the next year. Your pledge will be presented as a gift to the Holy Father during his visit. Visit walkwithfrancis.org to take the pledge online. In today s First Reading we heard Joshua s pledge, As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. How will you serve the Lord this week? The best way to welcome Pope Francis is to #WalkwithFrancis! Pulpit Announcement: Pope Francis is coming to the Archdiocese of Washington and you are invited to be a part of the journey! Welcome Pope Francis by committing to follow his inspirational example. Take the Walk with Francis pledge to pray, serve, or act to advance the mission and ministry of the Church. Find more information in your bulletin and at WalkwithFrancis.org. u 7

9 August 30 Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Start preparing for Parish Pledge Weekend! Make an announcement to your parishioners to help them prepare. Don t forget to add the included Walk with Francis pledge bulletin insert to your bulletins for the next few weeks. Intercession: For the health of the Holy Father, for safety in his travel to the United States, and for his continued wisdom, strength, and humility as he leads our Church. We pray to the Lord. Bulletin Announcement: Pope Francis is coming to the Archdiocese of Washington and you are invited to be a part of the journey by taking a pledge. Welcome Pope Francis by committing to follow his example of faith and service. As the Letter of James in today s readings challenges us: Be doers of the word and not hearers only. We are challenging local individuals and organizations to take the pledge to Walk with Francis by choosing to pray or serve or act in a new way to advance his mission and ministry in the next year. Your pledge will be presented as a gift to the Holy Father during his visit. Visit walkwithfrancis.org to take the pledge online. The best way to welcome Pope Francis is to #WalkwithFrancis and share your pledge on social media. Pulpit Announcement: As today s reading from James challenges us: Be doers of the word and not hearers only. Follow the example of Pope Francis and welcome him to Washington by taking the Walk with Francis pledge! Next weekend you will have the opportunity to make a pledge during mass to Walk with Francis and pray, serve or act in a new way. Find more information in your bulletin and at WalkwithFrancis.org. u 8

10 September 6 Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Labor Day Weekend Parish Pledge Weekend See the Parish Pledge Weekend Guide in the back of this toolkit for more instructions. Make sure the included Walk with Francis pledge bulletin insert is in your your bulletins! Mail your parish s In-Pew Pledge Cards back on Tuesday, September 8th using the provided envelope. This will ensure the pledges can be presented to the Holy Father during his visit! Intercession: For all those taking the pledge to Walk with Francis to pray or serve or act in a new way to advance the Kingdom of God. We pray to the Lord. Bulletin Announcement: This weekend is Walk with Francis Parish Pledge Weekend. Celebrate the coming visit of the Holy Father! At Mass this weekend, you will have the opportunity to sign a card to pledge to Walk with Francis and pray, serve, or act in a new way to advance his mission and ministry in the world. We encourage you to pray regularly for the Holy Father and learn about the message of the joy of the Gospel, the mercy of God and the love of Christ. Serve by reaching out and caring for those in need and supporting charitable efforts in our community and beyond. Act to promote human life and dignity, justice and peace, family life and religious freedom, care for creation and the common good. Once you have taken the pledge, challenge family, friends, and co-workers to do the same! Find more information or take the pledge online at WalkwithFrancis.org. Share your pledge on social media and challenge others using #WalkwithFrancis. In today s First Reading we heard Joshua s pledge, As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. How will you serve the Lord this week? The best way to welcome Pope Francis is to #WalkwithFrancis! Pulpit Announcement: By taking the Walk with Francis pledge today, we are celebrating the Pope s coming visit with our prayer and action. These commitments echo the words we are about to hear at the end of Mass, to Go forth, witnessing to Christ with our lives. Invite others into the faith and works of the Christian life by challenging those around you to take the pledge as well your family, friends, and co-workers. Together we can transform our communities and share the joy of our faith. Find more information in your bulletin or at WalkwithFrancis.org. u 9

11 September 13 Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Although Parish Pledge Weekend was last weekend, some parishioners may have missed it due to the holiday. Consider re-emphasizing the pledge or even conducting a condensed version of the Parish Pledge Weekend again during Masses. Intercession: For our parish communities to be places full of welcome and hope for the Pope, where all people may encounter and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. We pray to the Lord. Bulletin Announcement: Many of you were here last weekend as we handed out Walk with Francis pledge cards. This September, we welcome Pope Francis first and foremost by committing to follow his inspirational example. We are challenging local individuals and organizations to take the pledge to Walk with Francis by choosing to pray or serve or act in a new way to advance his mission and ministry in the next year. Today our readings continue to remind us that faith without works is dead. Don t stand on the sidelines of faith. Get involved and take the pledge to Walk with Francis. Visit WalkwithFrancis.org to take the pledge online or find pledge cards in the back of church. Did you already take the pledge? Share the joy by challenging someone else to take the pledge; take a pledge card home today to give away! Find more information or take the pledge online at WalkwithFrancis.org. Share your pledge on social media and challenge others using #WalkwithFrancis! The best way to welcome Pope Francis is to #WalkwithFrancis! Pulpit Announcement: With Pope Francis arriving to our Archdiocese in just over a week, now is an excellent time to recommit ourselves to the prayer, service, and actions which are the hallmarks of a Christian life. Take the Walk with Francis pledge to follow the Pope s example and welcome him to Washington. Find more information in your bulletin or online at WalkwithFrancis.org. u 10

12 September 20 Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Pope Francis arrives this week! Help your parish pray in a special way for the Pope s visit to the United States and for the World Meeting of Families this week. Intercession: For the World Meeting of Families meeting in Philadelphia this week, for our own families, and families throughout the world, that we would be given grace to put God at the center of our lives and learn from him the generous live that makes marriages strong and families fully alive. We pray to the Lord. Bulletin Announcement: How is your Walk with Francis pledge? Have you followed through? Jesus encourages us with the joy and beauty of humble service in the Gospel today when He teaches, If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all. If you need help getting started, check out the opportunities featured in this bulletin or find more at WalkwithFrancis.org. With Pope Francis about to arrive in the United States, take this opportunity to challenge family, friends, and coworkers to take the pledge as well! Share your pledge and challenge others on social media using #WalkwithFrancis. The best way to welcome Pope Francis is to #WalkwithFrancis! Pulpit Announcement: How is your Walk with Francis pledge? Have you followed through? Jesus encourages us with the joy and beauty of humble service in the Gospel today when He teaches, If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all. If you need help getting started, connect with the many opportunities in our parish bulletin or online at WalkwithFrancis.org. Don t forget to challenge your friends to take the pledge as well! The best way to welcome Pope Francis is to Walk with Francis! u 11

13 September 27 Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Pope Francis is in Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families! Intercession: For all of us to be missionary disciples, following the example of Pope Francis by committing our lives to loving and serving Jesus. We pray to the Lord. Bulletin Announcement: This weekend, Pope Francis is celebrating families through his participation in the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. As he has said before: How precious is the family as the privileged place for transmitting the faith! The Pope s visit is a great opportunity for our families to transmit, affirm, and witness to our faith in Jesus Christ. Have you considered taking the Walk with Francis pledge with your family? Take the pledge with your parents, your siblings, your spouse, or your children, and then live out the pledge together as a group. Strengthen your family bonds and share your faith as you transform your community! Take the pledge as an individual or family at WalkwithFrancis.org, and challenge friends and relatives to do the same. Pulpit Announcement: This weekend, Pope Francis is celebrating families through his participation in the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. Have you considered taking the Walk with Francis pledge with your family? Take the pledge with your parents, your siblings, your spouse, or your children, and then live out the pledge together as a group. Strengthen your family bonds as you transform your community! Take the pledge as a group at WalkwithFrancis.org, and challenge friends and relatives to do the same. u 12

14 October 4 Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Pope Francis has just been in our Archdiocese! Intercession: For all people in our community and region, that they may be transformed by the experience of the Holy Father s visit. We pray to the Lord. Bulletin Announcement: With the Holy Father s visit to the United States so fresh in our minds and hearts, now is a wonderful opportunity to revisit your pledge to pray, serve, or act in order to walk with Pope Francis! What did you pledge? What can you continue doing this week to put your faith in action out of love for Christ? Pray and reflect on the Word of God. Contemplate and study the writings of Pope Francis, such as Laudato Si and The Joy of the Gospel. Volunteer with one of our parish ministries, service opportunities, or through Catholic Charities. Support the poor and marginalized. Work in a social justice ministry. Share your faith with others. These are just a few of the many ways to live a life of faith and service! For more ideas and resources, visit WalkwithFrancis.org or explore the many parish ministries featured in this bulletin. Pulpit Announcement: With the Holy Father s visit to the United States so fresh in our minds and hearts, now is a wonderful opportunity to revisit your pledge to pray, serve, or act in order to walk with Pope Francis! What did you pledge? What can you continue doing this week to put your faith in action out of love for Christ? Find opportunities and resources in our bulletin or at WalkwithFrancis.org. u 13

15 October 11 Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Intercession: For civic and political leaders in our region and around the world, that they will seek Truth, promote the common good, and serve the needs of the poor and marginalized. We pray to the Lord. Bulletin Announcement: During his visit, Pope Francis drew the attention and interest of millions of people in our region and across the country. Many of those people do not know Jesus and the Church. How can you use that widespread public interest in Pope Francis to share your faith with those around you? Consider sharing your Walk with Francis pledge with family, friends, and neighbors and challenging them to take the pledge, too. Anyone can take the pledge! Often, service and social justice are wonderful avenues for those around us to see disciples in action and, through that witness, to begin to know the Lord. Consider challenging someone to Walk with Francis with you, then work together in an act of peace and justice, serve the poor and marginalized together, or even share your faith and prayer with them! After all, if they like walking with Pope Francis, they are going to love the one that Francis is following: Jesus. Share the pledge with others at WalkwithFrancis.org or on social media using #WalkwithFrancis. Pulpit Announcement: During his visit, Pope Francis drew the attention and interest of millions of people in our region and across the country. Many of those people do not know Jesus and the Church. How can you use that widespread public interest in Pope Francis to share your faith with those around you? Consider sharing your Walk with Francis pledge with family, friends, and neighbors and challenging them to take the pledge, too. Anyone can take the pledge! Challenge others to visit WalkwithFrancis.org and take the pledge. u 14

16 October 18 Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Intercession: For all individuals in our community, that in the wake of the Holy Father s visit they continue to be touched and inspired to reconsider faith in their lives. We pray to the Lord. Bulletin Announcement: In today s psalm we hear [The LORD] loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. A great joy of the Christian life is that, as the Body of Christ, we can carry God s justice, right, and kindness into the world. During Pope Francis s visit to the United States, he raised up the same themes: justice, right, kindness, care for the poor and marginalized, peace, promotion of human dignity, service to the common good. How are you responding to these themes with your own life? Have you taken the Walk with Francis pledge and followed through? How is it going? Visit WalkwithFrancis.com if you need more help or ideas. Who else can you challenge to take the Walk with Francis pledge with you? Pray, serve, and act these are they ways we live out our love for Christ. Pulpit Announcement: In today s psalm we hear [The LORD] loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. A great joy of the Christian life is that, as the Body of Christ, we can carry God s justice, right, and kindness into the world. During Pope Francis s visit to the United States, he raised up the same themes. How are you responding to these themes with your own life? Remember your Walk with Francis pledge to pray, serve, or act and live out your love for Christ. Invite others to take the pledge at WalkwithFrancis.org. u 15

17 October 25 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time One month since Pope Francis was in the United States! Intercession: That one month after the visit of the Holy Father, his visit may continue to inspire and challenge us to be living channels of the Holy Spirit in our world. We pray to the Lord. Bulletin Announcement: Hard to believe it has been a month since Pope Francis was here in the United States! As begin to anticipate the Year of Mercy in just over a month, let us not forget about the Holy Father s visit. We continue to walk with him with his words, his encouragement, his example, and his challenge to more deeply live a Christian life of faith and service. Consider renewing your Walk with Francis pledge or making a new pledge! Visit WalkwithFrancis.org for more ideas on ways to pray, serve, and act. Pope Francis reminds us not to be a part-time Christian, only at certain moments, in certain choices. Be a Christian at all times. How can you continue growing in your Christian life and witness? Pulpit Announcement: Hard to believe it has been a month since Pope Francis was here in the United States! As begin to anticipate the Year of Mercy in just over a month, let us not forget about the Holy Father s visit. We continue to walk with him with his words, his encouragement, his example, and his challenge to more deeply live a Christian life of faith and service. How can you continue growing in your Christian life and witness? Consider renewing your Walk with Francis pledge or making a new pledge! Visit WalkwithFrancis.org for more ideas on ways to pray, serve, and act. u 16

18 Implementation Guide for Parish Pledge Weekend Preparation Walk with Francis pledge cards will be delivered to parishes in a package along with #WalkwithFrancis wristbands and the life-size Pope Francis cardboard cutout. Please check the package to ensure that you received the proper number of supplies and contact Daphne Stubbolo at or stubbolod@adw. org if you are in need of additional supplies. You should expect to receive: Pledge cards Pencils to distribute or place in pew with pledge cards A package to return pledge cards by mail. Pledge cards will be collated and included in the gift for Pope Francis. We are encouraging parishes to utilize a similar in-mass process as is used for the Cardinal s Appeal. This is a great opportunity to highlight to our parishioners the value of their God-given time and talent as well as their treasure. Due to the timing of the visit and system for collating pledge cards Labor Day weekend was the best date to host an in-mass pledge weekend. We recognize that many families travel this weekend and encourage you to follow up with an abbreviated in-mass process the following Sunday to ensure that as many people as possible are given an opportunity to have their pledge included as a gift to the Holy Father. You will need: Ushers to distribute cards or to place them in pews (as you do for the Cardinal s Appeal) In-Mass Pledge Process Use the below recommended text after or in place of the homily during each Mass. There will be no homily audio from the Cardinal as a part of the Walk with Francis pledge Weekend. u 17

19 Recommended Text to Introduce the Walk with Francis pledge: I know many of you have been asking, How can I be a part of the Pope s visit to Washington? Today I m excited to share a way you can participate in the Holy Father s visit: take the Walk with Francis pledge. Pope Francis has inspired and challenged people across the world, reminding us that an authentic faith, which is never comfortable or completely personal, always involves a deep desire to change the world, to transmit values, to leave this earth somehow better that we found it. This September we welcome Pope Francis to Washington by committing to follow his example of faith and service. We are challenging you and 100,000 other individuals and organizations to take the pledge to Walk with Francis in a new way to advance his mission and ministry in the next year and in doing so to transform our community. On the card that is being distributed you will have the chance to pledge to do one or more of the following: Pray regularly for the Holy Father and learn about his message on the Joy of the Gospel, the mercy of God and the love of Christ. Serve by reaching out and caring for those in need and supporting charitable efforts in our communities and beyond. Act to promote human life and dignity, justice and peace, family life and religious freedom, care for creation and the common good. The pledge can be a commitment of spending a little more time in prayer each day or volunteer once a week. The length of your commitment, whether for a month, six months, or a year, is for you to decide in conversation with our Lord. Yet it is good to try to challenge ourselves! Pope Francis reminds us not to be a part-time Christian, only at certain moments, in certain choices. Be a Christian at all times (General Audience of May 15, 2013). The Walk with Francis pledge is our opportunity to deepen our relationship with Christ and be more confident, courageous, and creative followers of Jesus. All of the Walk with Francis pledges collected today will be presented as a welcome gift to the Holy Father during his visit to Washington. It is hard to imagine a more perfect gift to present to our Holy Father than the promise that those most in need of prayer and healing, compassion and hope will be touched by Christ s love by all of us who have taken the Walk with Francis pledge. Recommended text continued on next page. u 18

20 I, personally, will be pledging to for (name frequency and/or amount of time). Please join me in taking the pledge to Walk with Francis. (instructions to fill out the pledge card) On the form please neatly write your first and last name. (pause and wait until about half of those participating are looking back at you) Now neatly write in your address so that you can hear more details about the pledge and the Papal Visit. (pause and wait until about half of those participating are looking back at you) Finally, take a moment to select what kind of pledge you would like to make, to pray, serve, or act. You may check only one box or more than one box. (pause and wait until about half of those participating are looking back at you) At this time I would also encourage you to take an extra pledge card or two to give out to friends, family members or neighbors and ask them to take the pledge with you. u 19

21 Directions For Usher Collection: Ask the ushers to collect the pledge cards and to present them in the same way the offertory is collected. (Alternative) Directions For Walking to Present the Pledges: An alternative way to collect the Walk with Francis pledges is to ask parishioners to make a personal pledge of faith by walking their pledge to the front of church or another designated area and placing it in a basket. Please collect pledges in the manner that would fit best for your community. Collecting and Submitting pledge cards The pledge cards collected at each Mass should be combined into the pledge card return package. Please overnight all pledges together in the pre-addressed return package. Mail the collected pledges on Tuesday, September 8th to ensure the pledges will be included in the gift to Pope Francis. Again, mail the collected pledges on Tuesday, September 8th to make sure they can be given to the Pope! Individual pledges not collected at Parish Pledge Weekend Masses can be mailed: Archdiocese of Washington Pledge Card Processing Center P.O. Box 6064 Albert Lea, MN Thank you for all of your support of the Walk with Francis Parish Pledge Weekend! Bulletin Insert See separate document. Digital Media Guide See separate document. u 20

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