Sacred Heart Church Austin, Texas Stewardship Campaign You Can Count on Me! Puedes Contar Conmigo! Implementation Phase Program for six weeks
You Can Count on Me! Track records at Sacred Heart Parish - Austin Parish vs Diocese Annual Annual First Increase Increase Collections Sacred Heart Diocesan Parishes 2013 vs 2012 17% 6% 2014 vs 2013 13% 4% 2015 vs 2014 10% 2% 2016 vs 2015 15% 4% 2017 vs 2016 5% 0.48% 2018 vs 2017 23 weeks 5% 4%
Five years of growth
2017 was a challenging year 5% increase 2016 vs 2017
Affected by fluctuating Mass attendance
In 2018 we continue 5% increase versus prior year 2017
Mass attendance
Attendance taken manually by ushers every weekend at all Masses
Regular review at Staff meeting every week
Timing is EVERYTHING Need 4-6 weeks with no distractions or interruptions February is ideal We avoided Holiday season: November, December & January Holy Week Summer months September Festival October November : diocesan collections
Weekly Themes First Second Third Fourth Membership and Registration Census Tithing as an obligation Pledge You Can Count on Me!
Clean First Step: Clean the data base Export Sort Inactive Very simple: export to excel from Data Base the annual report of donations Sort the information by membership status active, inactive, visitor All memberships with $0 contributions will change the status to Inactive
First Weekend The importance of being registered as members of the parish.
The priest will begin preaching at all weekend masses about What is a parishioner and the importance of being registered as members of a parish. You Can Count on Me!
Bulletin will have related article from Pastor. Plus posters and Bulletin insert next slide
For parishioners who don t receive envelopes by mail, we provide Generic envelopes at the church entrances, in pews, etc.
Second Census Sunday Weekend
The priest will preach about the census and the importance of being registered. You Can Count on Me!
Bulletin article about the census.
Ushers will pass the census (yellow page) and pencils at all masses (after homily and before presentation of gifts)
Priest fill his own census in front parishioners at ALL Masses
Ushers Will pick up the census asap be finished and will put in envelopes marked by Mass time.
Third Weekend Tithe Our responsibility
Homily: Why Christians Tithe? Talk about importance of tithe according to the Scriptures at ALL Masses (Time, Talent & Treasure) Importance of use envelopes to track the assistance to the church Remark the importance of everybody participation First Fruits You Can Count on Me!
Bulletin: Why Christians tithe. Bulletin board posters, bulletin inserts, etc
Continue putting Census Cards in Bulletin: Data will increase
Census forms and Census collection at church entrances if they have still not participated.
Fourth Weekend Pledge weekend
Priests preach about the gifts that the Lord gives us and our responsibility for stewardship within the Church. You Can Count on Me!
Bulletin article about stewardship according to Scripture.
Ushers pass the pledge cards and pencils at all masses (After homily, but before 1 st collection).
Priest fills his own pledge with parishioners, explaining how to fill each line at ALL Masses
Ushers Pick up pledge cards and pencil asap parishioners finish, and will put in an envelope marked with the Mass time. Before first collection
Fifth Follow up Weekend
THANKSGIVING! Priests preach about importance of membership and tithing. Never is too late to begin with the responsibility as Catholics. Invite those who have not made their pledge; there are pledge cards and boxes available at the church entrances. TRANSPARENCY! Priest give an actualization about Census, Pledge cards and Financial Reports.
Bulletin article about parish financial statements. TRANSPARENCY is ESENTIAL for STEWARDSHIP
Latest parish financial statements inserted in the bulletin
Wrap-up Sixth Weekend Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Priests thank parishioners who listen the call to stewardship. Invite again to all parishioners who have not made their pledge card to do it. Continuous Update information on pledge cards received to date in the bulletin.
Bulletín will have: Pledge cards Attendance Amount pledged by Mass time And real average collection SHARE INFORMATION
Follow up. Remind to keep their promises Remind parishioners about their commitments made with their pledge to their parish (Announcements, as part of the homily, bulletin articles, bulletin board). Make available at the church entrances blank pledge cards for those who decide fill it out later or newcomers. Invite to all parishioners to use parish envelopes, or the generic envelopes for their Firs Fruits with their information. Critical to All to keep their pledge. You Can Count on Me!
DATA FROM ANOTHER PARISH * St. Joseph in Killeen, Texas * Multi-cultural Parish near large Military Base * UP 14% vs. Prior Year OBSERVATIONS * You Can Count on Me works with any type of population, not just Hispanic * Program strengthens our commitment to our Church with the Scriptures CENSUS: Not necessary in subsequent years
You Can Count on Me! Track records at Sacred Heart Parish - Austin Parish vs Diocese Annual Annual First Increase Increase Collections Sacred Heart Diocesan Parishes 2013 vs 2012 17% 6% 2014 vs 2013 13% 4% 2015 vs 2014 10% 2% 2016 vs 2015 15% 4% 2017 vs 2016 5% 0.48% 2018 vs 2017 23 weeks 5% 4%
LINKS Sacred Heart Parish Austin, Texas https://www.sacredheartchurchaustin.org Parish Stewardship and Financial Statements https://www.sacredheartchurchaustin.org/stewardship HANDOUT: You Can Count On Me /Elizabeth s Plan https://www.sacredheartchurchaustin.org/documents/2018/6/you%20 Can%20Count%20On%20Me%20MASTER.pdf VIDEO and Homilies : http://www.fathermarkhamlet.com/tag/stewardship/