Active Campaign Phase Manual
Table of Contents Advance Promotion of the Campaign (January 13 & 14) 2 Prayers of the Faithful, Bulletin, and Altar Announcements Active Phase of the Campaign (Begins January 15) 3 Prayers of the Faithful, Bulletin, and Altar Announcements Announcement Weekend (Week of January 22) 4-6 Prayers of the Faithful, Bulletin, and Altar Announcements Procedures Homily Preparation Student Testimonial Preparation Announcement Weekend January 27-28 Pastor s Homily Student Testimonials Commitment Weekend (Week of January 29) 7-15 Prayers of the Faithful, Bulletin, and Altar Announcements Procedures and Script Text of Cardinal Cupich s Homily for Commitment Weekend Commitment Weekend February 3-4 Cardinal s Homily, Pastor s Announcement, and in-pew process lead by Pastor Follow-Up Weekend (Week of February 5-11) Commitment Weekend February 10-11 In-pew process lead by Presider or parish leader 16-19 Continuing Campaign Management 20-22 Processing the Collection Pledge Payment Reminders Monthly Bulletin and Altar Announcements Pledge Fulfillment Strategies Telephone Follow-up Program Monthly Campaign Update Reports Requests for Help Bulletin Announcements for 2018 23-25 Prayers of the Faithful 26 Annual Catholic Appeal Key Contacts 27 This manual is available in English, Spanish and, Polish at Bannon Associates, Inc. and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago (2017) -1-
1 2 3 4 Advance Promotion of the Campaign Weekend of January 13 and 14, 2018 y 16 th through January 22 nd, 20 When What Action Comments/Notes Friday, December 29, 2017 Weekend of January 13 &14 Weekend of January 13 &14 Weekend of January 13 &14 Cardinal s letter mails to previous ACA donors Prayers of the Faithful Bulletin Announcement Altar Announcement N/A Include in all Masses Prepare Announcement Prepare Announcement When Completed Prayers of the Faithful That we may see the work of the Annual Catholic Appeal as an opportunity to extend our love and service beyond the boundaries of our parish and local community. We pray to the Lord. (See page 26 for more Prayers) Bulletin and Altar Announcements Please prepare an Altar Announcement referring to this Bulletin Announcement and calling attention to the fact that many people will be receiving, or already have received, the mailing from Cardinal Cupich. Ask them to help to share the Gospel message by providing their generous support to the work of the Archdiocese. Please Make Your Gift to the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal Come, Follow Me Many families in our parish will be receiving the Annual Catholic Appeal request mailing from Cardinal Cupich. On behalf of those served by the ministries and services funded by the ACA, we thank you for your gifts. Please return your response as soon as possible. The ACA offers a wonderful opportunity to answer Jesus call to Come, Follow Me. In addition to providing for ministries and services throughout the Archdiocese, the Appeal also funds services that are of great help to ministries here in our Parish. For example, Appeal funds support (IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO INSERT SOME OF THE MINISTRIES IN YOUR PARISH THAT RECEIVE TRAINING OR OTHER FORMS OF SUPPORT FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE see the list in the manual or on the website). As we contemplate God s many gifts to us, we should also reflect on our gratitude for these gifts. Your financial support for the work of our Parish, our Archdiocese, and the Church throughout the world is, in fact, one way to express this gratitude. Please give generously to the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal. When our parish reaches its goal of $ in paid pledges, 100% of the additional funds received will be returned to us for use in our Parish. -2-
1 2 3 Active Phase of the Campaign Week of Janaury 15 through January 22, 2018 When What Action Comments/Notes By Friday, January 19 Weekend of January 20 & 21 Weekend of January 20 & 21 Parish receives campaign materials. Bulletin Announcement Altar Announcement - Unpack - Ensure sufficient quantity - Display Posters Prepare Announcement Prepare Announcement When Completed 4 Weekend of January 20 & 21 Prayers of the Faithful Include in all Masses Prayers of the Faithful For all those in need, that they may find guidance and assistance from the many services available through our generous support of the Annual Catholic Appeal. We pray to the Lord. (See page 26 for more Prayers) Bulletin and Altar Announcements Please prepare an Altar Announcement referring to this Bulletin Announcement. Please Make Your Gift to the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal Come, Follow Me During the last few weeks, many parish families received a letter from Cardinal Cupich requesting your participation by making a pledge to the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal. We ask that you respond as generously as possible. The Appeal supports both Parish and Archdiocesan ministries and services. The Appeal funds services that are of great help to ministries here in our Parish. For example, Appeal funds support (IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO INSERT SOME OF THE MINISTRIES IN YOUR PARISH THAT RECEIVE TRAINING OR OTHER FORMS OF SUPPORT FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE see the list in the manual or on the website). This year, the theme of the Appeal is Come, Follow Me. We have all received God s love. By financially supporting the ministries and services funded by the ACA, we help to extend God s love to many, many others. As you review the mailing from Cardinal Cupich, please note the ministries and services funded by the Appeal, including the ones that directly support the work of our parish. Then please give generously. Note, when our parish reaches its goal of $ in paid pledges, 100% of the additional funds received will be returned to us for use in our Parish. -3-
Announcement Weekend Week of January 22 through January 28, 2018 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 When What Action Comments/Notes Week of January 22 Week of January 22 Week of January 22 Week of January 22 Week of January 22 Week of January 22 Weekend of January 27 & 28 Weekend of January 27 & 28 Weekend of January 27 & 28 Bulletin Announcement Altar Announcement Pastor s Homily Student Testimonials Brochure Posters Pastor s Homily Student Testimonials Prayers of the Faithful Prepare Announcement Prepare Announcement Prepare Pastor s Homily Ensure students are ready for testimonials. Insert Brochure into your bulletin. Hang Posters in your parish. Pastor Delivers Homily at all Masses Students Deliver Testimonials at all Masses Include in all Masses Brochures should have arrived by January 19; call the campaign office if you did not receive them. Email & phone # are on back cover. Posters should have arrived by January 19; call the campaign office if you did not receive them. Email & phone # are on back cover. When Completed Prayers of the Faithful For all who seek to learn more about Come, Follow Me the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal, may they see that through unity and stewardship we enrich our faith. We pray to the Lord. (See page 26 for more Prayers) Bulletin and Altar Announcements Pastors are asked to preach about the Annual Catholic Appeal at each Mass. It is also the weekend when the 2018 Appeal brochures are to be inserted in your bulletins. Please prepare an Altar Announcement that asks people to read the brochure and to come to Mass prepared to make their Annual Catholic Appeal pledge next weekend. Note, the in-pew envelope will have a place where those that have given by mail can indicate that. -4-
2018 Annual Catholic Appeal Come, Follow Me Please spend some time this week reflecting on the Annual Catholic Appeal brochure that you received with your bulletin. Please remember that the Annual Catholic Appeal is much different than a one-time special collection. It is a pledge campaign where you can make a gift payable in installments. The ACA theme for 2018 is Come, Follow Me. Each pledge makes a difference because all parishes participate in the campaign and the gifts of many enable our Archdiocese to deliver needed ministries and services to answer Jesus call to Come, Follow Me. After our parish goal of $ is reached in cash, 100% of any additional funds come back to our parish to help to fund our needs. If you received your pledge form in the mail, please complete it and mail it back or bring it to Mass next weekend. 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. Thank you for your prayerful consideration and generous response. Process The focus of Announcement Weekend is to provide substantial information about the use of Annual Catholic Appeal funds and to advise parishioners that they will be asked to make a pledge next week during the in-pew process. Each parish committee should put up the posters and have the Annual Catholic Appeal brochures inserted in parish bulletins ready for distribution after all Masses. Include the campaign in your Bulletin Announcements and the Prayers of the Faithful. Homily Preparation Cardinal Cupich has asked pastors to preach about the Annual Catholic Appeal at all Masses on Announcement Weekend. The Pastor s homily should be a five-minute presentation. In preparation, Pastors should listen to the Cardinal s homily, which is to be played at all Masses on Commitment Weekend. A printed copy of the homily appears in the Commitment Weekend section of this manual. Student Testimonial Preparation While funding a number of Archdiocesan ministries and services, the Appeal supports parish ministries that provide religious education to children, youth, and adults in economically disadvantaged communities. It is also one of the largest philanthropic sources of financial assistance for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese. To emphasize this point, a program of Student Testimonials has been instituted. Please contact your principal to arrange for students to provide brief testimonials at the Masses on Announcement Weekend (January 27-28). -5-
Homily Notes for Preachers for Announcement Sunday The theme of the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal is Come, Follow Me. The following homily notes were prepared by Fr. Louis J. Cameli. (Each parish has the option of having a student from your Catholic school offer a testimony either after the homily or at the end of Mass.) Last Sunday s gospel selection from chapter one of Mark presented the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus. He proclaimed the coming of the kingdom of God and the call to repentance. He then called His disciples to follow Him. This Sunday s gospel is also drawn from chapter one and that will also be true for the following two Sundays. These gospel selections provide us with a snapshot view of Jesus ministry. It is a picture, as some commentators have noted, of a typical day in the ministry of Jesus. Today, for example, he does something that is quite characteristic of Mark s portrait of Jesus he expels an unclean spirit and teaches with authority. Certainly, the gospel is about Jesus, but it is also about us, His disciples. Last week, He summoned His disciples: Come, Follow Me. And they do follow Him. They watch Him expel the unclean spirit. They hear Him teaching. And these disciples are not only called to follow Him but, eventually, to continue to do what He did. They follow and learn, so that they can continue His mission in the world. And that is exactly the same for us. We have heard the call: Come, Follow Me. We follow Him to learn from Him, to be inspired by Him, and to continue His mission and ministry in our world today. In that context, something that seems improbable for us expelling unclean or evil spirits in fact, is quite relevant. There are plenty of demons that have a tight grip on our world-violence, injustice, exploitation, racism, abuse and neglect of the poor and vulnerable. If we follow Jesus, we will work to cast them out. It is an altogether daunting task. So, it is essential to remember that we do not do this alone. We belong to a community of disciples, the Church. Just as that first community of disciples, so we, too, follow Jesus together and continue His mission in the world together. A particular way that we both follow Jesus together and continue His mission together is through the Annual Catholic Appeal. The Appeal enables us to reach out to parishes, individuals, and communities in need. Next Sunday, we will all have an opportunity to make a commitment to the Appeal and all the endeavors the Appeal supports. In the meanwhile, we can reflect on our calling, Come, Follow Me and our responsibility to continue the mission of Jesus in the world. -6-
Commitment Weekend Week of January 29 through February 4, 2018 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 When What Action Comments/Notes Early the week of January 29 Week of January 29 Week of January 29 Week of January 29 Week of January 29 Weekend of February 3 & 4 Weekend of February 3 & 4 Brief Presiders Student Volunteers Pastor s Homily Cardinal s Homily In Pew Envelopes Pastor s Homily Prayers of the Faithful Each presider should be briefed on commitment weekend process. Arrange for and train volunteers to help with In Pew process at each Mass. Prepare Pastor s Homily Ensure equipment is in working order and cassette, CD, or DVD is functional. Prepare In Pew Envelopes Pastor Delivers brief Homily after Cardinal s Homily at all Masses Include in all Masses See Below or on website See Below or on website Call the campaign office if the cassette, CD, or DVD is not functional. Email & phone # are on back cover. See Below or on website See Below or on website When Completed Prayers of the Faithful That as we make our commitment to the Annual Catholic Appeal, we may remember God s love for us. We pray to the Lord. (See page 26 for more Prayers) Bulletin and Altar Announcements Please prepare an Altar Announcement referring to this Bulletin Announcement. 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal Come, Follow Me This weekend, our parish will be conducting the Annual Catholic Appeal in-pew Commitment Weekend. Please remember that the Annual Catholic Appeal is much different than a one-time special collection. It is a pledge campaign where you can make a gift payable in installments. The ACA theme, Come, Follow Me was selected to remind us to continue to answer Jesus call to follow Him in thought, word and deed by providing the necessary contribution to fund ministries and services to share God s love with many others in our Parish and our Archdiocese. Each pledge makes a difference because all Parishes participate in the campaign and the gifts of many enable our Archdiocese to deliver needed ministries and services. Thank you for your prayerful consideration and generous response. -7-
Prepare For Commitment Weekend As soon as you receive the shipment of Annual Catholic 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 right in the envelope. Play the Cardinal s recorded homily on the equipment that will be used on Commitment Weekend. If the equipment is adjustable, correct the bass and treble for the best sound and make note of the appropriate settings. You should have two copies of the reflection in each of the languages that you requested - one cassette and one CD. You may have also ordered a DVD in either English or Spanish. If, for some reason, the cassette, CD, or DVD do not work properly, call the Annual Catholic Appeal office (phone number and email info is on the back cover) immediately to secure replacements. During the week prior to the in-pew process, each Presider should be briefed on the Commitment Weekend process. Immediately after the reading of the Gospel, the Pastor will play Cardinal Cupich s homily. Then, the Pastor will add a brief announcement in support of the ACA. The pastor will then lead the in-pew process at every Mass. In the event that the Pastor is not the Presider, the Presider should introduce the Pastor immediately after the reading of the Gospel. Be sure to contact the other Presiders early in the week so that they are aware 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 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 five (5) to eight (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 or the choir loft. 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 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 Catholic Appeal envelopes immediately after 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. Training the Students The Pastor and the Campaign Leadership assigned to coordinate in-pew activities should train the students. Assign the students and adults to their respective areas and, then, have them assemble in the area of the church where they will wait for the Pastor s signal. -8-
Have the Pastor play the Cardinal s recorded homily and begin the reading of the in-pew script. Have him give a prearranged signal that will tell the students that they should move to their assigned areas. At the point in the script where Father asks one member of each household to raise his or her hand, the students can pass the required number of 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 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 (when Father signals from the altar and what signal he will use). 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 Catholic Appeal process and the role of the students. At each Mass, a committee member should be designated to take the Annual Catholic 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 (7-8%). 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 Catholic 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 blurb 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. Even though the form that you have shows six payments, the Archdiocese will send out monthly statements and you will have through December 2018 to fulfill 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 Chicago and this parish. No one else can or will have access to it. Process The Pastor s Commitment Weekend presentation is very important to the success of the campaign. Up to this point, people have heard about the Annual Catholic 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 is leading the process will have a very positive effect on the importance that people place on the request. After proclaiming of the Gospel, the Pastor should introduce the Cardinal s homily. -9-
Cardinal s Homily 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal Commitment Weekend Homily - Cardinal Blase J. Cupich Come, Follow Me My brothers and sisters in Christ, Greetings from Parish (Will be modified to reflect site for 2018 taping.) The gospel just proclaimed gives us a snapshot of a typical day in the public ministry of Jesus He cures diseases, He casts out demons, He teaches, He goes off to pray. Notice that He stays in Simon Peter s house, is concerned about the people who live there and in response to hearing of her ailment, heals the mother-in-law of Peter. Saint Mark also tells us that, The whole town was gathered at the door. The townspeople may not have fully known who Jesus was, but they did know that the hand of God worked in Him and through Him to bring healing and wholeness to everyone. Today, the Church as the community of Jesus disciples who responds to his call: Come, Follow Me continues His mission and ministry in our time and in the world where we live. He, the Risen One, continues to reach out to the poor and the afflicted through us, His disciples gathered together as Church. Through our hands and hearts, He brings healing and hope to homes and families, just as He did on that day He crossed the threshold of Peter s home. That is the precise privilege that is ours as those who responded to His call Come, Follow Me. This means that we are not just followers, disciples, but missionary disciples, whom Jesus sends into the world to make Him present. For us to do this together as the Church of Chicago, we need the personal commitment of each person through prayerful support and financial contribution. Friends, having just completed three years as your archbishop, I want to tell you that I love what I do, I love being in Chicago. Every day, I am inspired and encouraged by the talent, commitment, and generosity of people I meet in our parishes and agencies. Together, we are pioneering new ways to be missionary disciples of Jesus in a world that is so desperately in need of healing and hope. The renewed spirit of collaboration and cooperation taking place among the parishes in the process of Renew My Church is opening new possibilities to extend our reach and call people to faith, especially a new generation of young people. More than ever, we are civic and social contributing to the good of society through our anti-violence initiatives, school choice for all parents, and our advocacy on behalf of human dignity from conception to natural death. We are redoubling our efforts to do even more and fulfill the call of Pope Francis to go to the margins of society and be a field hospital that brings the healing of Christ to a world in need of hope. All of this is possible because of the support we all give to the Annual Catholic Appeal. -10-
You have come to Mass today, as you do other days, because Christ has touched your lives with hope and healing. He now asks you to share what you have received with others. That is why I am asking each of you on this Commitment Weekend to help once again in making the Annual Catholic Appeal a success. If we all do our part, inspired by gratitude for how Christ has changed our lives, we can continue his ministry and change the lives of others and our world. I need your help and I am grateful for your sacrifice. Your pastor will now walk you through the partnership process of the Annual Catholic Appeal. -11-
Pastor s Announcement Immediately after the Cardinal s homily, the Pastor should add the following announcement in support of the Annual Catholic Appeal. Announcement for Pastors for Commitment Sunday We have just heard Cardinal Cupich invite us to hear Jesus call to us: Come, Follow Me. Come and be My disciples, come and be My missionaries sent out to bring My message, My healing, and My forgiveness to a world in need. We commit ourselves to watch and learn from Jesus. We commit ourselves to pray, as He prayed in a place apart. Finally, we commit ourselves to support the works of the Church. The Annual Catholic Appeal benefits parishes in need, faith formation for children and adults, peace-making in troubled neighborhoods, the formation of ministers who serve in the Church and- through Catholic Relief Services-people who suffer throughout the world because of natural disasters and the ravages of war. Our support of the Annual Catholic Appeal enables us to be the healing and comforting touch of Jesus for people who need His help. We will now begin our commitment process. I ask those who are to distribute the pledge envelopes and the pencils to come forward and distribute them. While they are coming forward, the pastor should read the first few paragraphs of the in-pew script. Time the presentation so you are asking people to raise their hands 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 cards 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. -12-
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. It is hoped that all parishes will distribute the pledge envelopes by hand. If not, please make sure that a committee member and additional volunteers are available to put the pledge envelopes in the pew racks. Be sure the pencils are inside the envelopes and pew racks are replenished before each Mass. If you have already provided envelopes and pencils in the pews, the Pastor 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 from the pew pocket and remove the pencil. (Note: After the pastor 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.) In-Pew Presentation Script To be used by pastors on Commitment Weekend February 3-4, 2018 (This can also be found on the ACA website ) Good morning. Today we are conducting the annual campaign that asks all parishioners to make a financial commitment to the Archdiocese of Chicago s Annual Catholic Appeal. As your Pastor, 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 Catholic Appeal of the Archdiocese of Chicago 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 that did not bring your direct mail pledge form with you, to signal the person distributing the material so that we can give you a pledge envelope and a pencil. Please take an in-pew envelope even if you have already given in the mail. While we are waiting, please examine the monthly pledge payment amounts that are listed on the right side of the pledge document. Please consider giving a monthly pledge that will allow you to provide a larger gift. (Pause and make sure that everyone has received a pledge envelope and pencil. Pay special attention to people who are standing, in the cry room, or choir loft. 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 see the front of the pledge envelope and remove your pencil. (Pause and wait until about half of those participating are looking back at you.) -13-
Please print your first name, your spouse s 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 address, including any unit or apartment number. (Pause as above.) On the third line, please print your city, state and zip code. (Pause as above.) Also, on the third line, please print your telephone number. (Pause as above.) On the fourth line, please print your email address. (Pause as above.) On the next line, please indicate the name of our parish 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 pledged by mail. (Stress the following point) Please do not indicate any additional financial information on the envelope. 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 envelope and check the amount that you wish to give. Your pledge will be billed over six months or longer if necessary. Also, there is no need to provide an initial payment today unless you wish. 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. (Pause 5 seconds.) If you are making an initial payment, write the amount enclosed on the next line. (Pause 5 seconds.) If you do not wish to contribute, please check the box provided immediately under the parish name line that indicates that you do not wish to contribute at this time. (Pause 5 seconds) -14-
I will give you another moment to complete your credit card information on the inside of the envelope, if you wish to use your card. Please note, you can make a one-time gift or check the box that will allow you to be billed in installments. (Pause 20 seconds) Please be sure to seal your envelope. Keep the pencil separate and drop it in the collection basket along with your completed pledge envelope. The ushers will now collect your pledge envelopes and pencils. On behalf of Cardinal Cupich and myself, I thank you for your contribution to the Annual Catholic Appeal. May God bless you. -15-
Follow-Up Weekend Week of February 5 11, 2018 1 2 3 When What Action Comments/Notes Week of February 5 Week of February 5 Weekend of February 10-11 In Pew Envelopes Student Volunteers Prayers of the Faithful Prepare In Pew Envelopes Arrange for and train volunteers to help with In Pew process at each Mass. Include in all Masses When Completed Prayers of the Faithful That we may spread the gospel message Come, Follow Me through our good deeds as we generously support the Annual Catholic Appeal as faithful stewards of the gifts God has entrusted us with. We pray to the Lord. (See page 26 for more Prayers) That the Holy Spirit may continue to guide the work of the Church and that Christ s message of faith, hope, and love may be realized by all. We pray to the Lord. Presider s Homily The Presider at each Mass should preach a brief homily in support of the Annual Catholic Appeal. Homily Notes for Preachers for Follow-Up Weekend Come, Follow Me. Come and be My disciples, come and be My missionaries sent out to bring My message, My healing, and My forgiveness to a world in need. We commit ourselves to watch and learn from Jesus. We commit ourselves to pray, as He prayed in a place apart. Finally, we commit ourselves to support the works of the Church. The Annual Catholic Appeal benefits parishes in need, faith formation for children and adults, peace-making in troubled neighborhoods, the formation of ministers who serve in the Church, and - through Catholic Relief Services - people who suffer throughout the world because of natural disasters and the ravages of war. Our support of the Annual Catholic Appeal enables us to be the healing and comforting touch of Jesus for people who need His help. We will now begin our commitment process. Procedures and Script February 10-11, 2018 Introduction The campaign s primary objective is participation. Each year, after the initial mailing and the Parish phase of the Annual Catholic 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 follow-up 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. -16-
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. 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. Either the Presider will lead the in-pew process or lay leaders will need to be asked to do it. 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. (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.) In-Pew Presentation Script to be used on Follow-Up Weekend February 10-11, 2018 (This can also be found on the ACA website ) Good morning. I am. As you know, this is the time of year that we are asked to offer our financial support to the Archdiocese of Chicago to help the Archdiocese provide ministry, education, training and services to all of our parishes and tens of thousands of people throughout the Archdiocese. On behalf of our pastor, Fr., and our Annual Catholic Appeal Committee, I want to thank all of those who have responded by mail or during our in-pew solicitation last weekend. This year, we are stressing the importance of participation and of making a significant pledge to support the Archdiocese. It is our hope that we will receive a pledge envelope from all active households in our community. In filling out a pledge envelope today, you may make a pledge, indicate that you gave in the mail or decline to give and be removed from any follow-up efforts. Now, I ask one member of each household that has not had an opportunity to fill out a pledge envelope to raise your hand. A pledge envelope and pencil will be passed to you. I ask those who have already pledged to bear with us for just a few minutes. Perhaps each of you might offer a prayer for the success of the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal. While we are waiting, please examine the monthly pledge payment amounts that are listed on the right side of the pledge document. Please consider giving a monthly pledge that will allow you to provide a larger gift. (Make sure that everyone has received pledge envelopes and pencils. Pay special attention to people who are standing, in the cry room, or choir loft. Once everyone that has indicated that they need an envelope has one, continue with the script.) I am going to guide you through the process in order to minimize the time that it takes. Now, please see the front of the pledge envelope and remove your pencil. (Pause and wait until about half of those participating are looking back at you.) Please print your first name, your spouse s first name and your last name on the top line. -17-
(Pause and wait until about half of those participating are looking back at you.) On the second line, please print your address, including any unit or apartment number. (Pause as above.) On the third line, please print your city, state and zip code. (Pause as above.) Also, on the third line, please print your telephone number. (Pause as above.) On the fourth line, please print your email address. (Pause as above.) On the next line, please indicate the name of our Parish 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 pledged by mail. (Stress the following point) Please do not indicate any additional financial information on the envelope. 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 envelope and check the amount that you wish to give. Your pledge will be billed over six (6) months or longer if necessary. Also, there is no need to provide an initial payment today unless you wish. 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. (Pause 5 seconds.) If you are making an initial payment, write the amount enclosed on the next line. (Pause 5 seconds.) If you do not wish to contribute, please check the box provided immediately under the parish name line that indicates that you do not wish to contribute at this time. (Pause 5 seconds) I will give you another moment to complete your credit card information on the inside of the envelope, if you wish to use your card. Please note, you can make a one-time gift or check the box that will allow you to be billed in installments. (Pause 20 seconds) Please be sure to seal your envelope. Keep the pencil separate and drop it in the collection -18-
basket along with your completed pledge envelope. The ushers will now collect your pledge envelopes and pencils. On behalf of Cardinal Cupich and myself, I thank you for your contribution to the Annual Catholic Appeal. May God bless you. -19-
Continuing Campaign Management Assuring That the Parish Reaches Its Goal The campaign does not end when the in-pew processes are over. If your parish has not exceeded its goal in pledges by an amount large enough to assure that it will exceed its goal in cash, then further steps will be needed. Please contact the Annual Catholic Appeal Office as soon as you have an indication that the payments may leave the parish short of its goal. Follow-up assistance and special mailings may be needed or something as simple as a monthly Bulletin and Altar Announcement may resolve the problem. Bulletin Announcements for September through December appear at the end of this manual and will be posted on the Annual Catholic Appeal website. Reminders will also be sent in the mail. Also, beginning in May, please use the monthly status announcement that appears on the next page. From September through December, you should continue to use the status announcement and use the additional monthly bulletin announcements at the end of this manual. Processing the Collection It is very important to process the pledge envelopes immediately. We are asking each parish to take the time to label your pledge envelopes for processing. Early submission of pledges assures faster processing and mailing of the first pledge reminders. This will allow parishioners more time to pay their pledges. Collection processing instructions are located in the back of Manual #1 Campaign Preparation and Returning Envelopes for Processing. Pledge Payment Reminders Pledge reminders will be mailed monthly beginning in April for parishes that send in their collections promptly (immediately after processing of your parish collection) and will stop when the pledge is fully paid. In an effort to encourage complete fulfillment of all pledges, the reminders for the months of September through December will include an insert describing the ways in which the donations are used and will promote completing a pledge via our online payment system. Monthly Bulletin and Altar Announcements Each Parish can aid the pledge collection effort by publishing the announcement shown on the next page, starting in May, in the bulletins for the first weekend of each month. Also, Parishes are asked to make an Altar Announcement to direct people to the Bulletin Announcement. All Bulletin Announcements for 2018 are printed at the back of this manual and are available on the website -20-
Pledge Fulfillment Strategies Pledging and the payment of pledges is something that many of our parishioners take for granted. However, if your parish has difficulty with payment of pledges, because community members are unfamiliar with this tradition, it is important to offer continuous education. Each month, beginning in May, a special effort should be made to inform and educate parishioners on the importance of paying their monthly pledge billings. The words that are used are critical. For that reason, we encourage Pastors and Parish committees to talk with members of each national group within their Parishes to establish that the messages being presented are clear, inoffensive and productive. The following Bulletin Announcement should be edited to assure that each audience understands it. Then, it should be published on the first weekend of each month. Having a special use for the rebates will improve the collection of pledges. If your parish has a special use for any rebates that you receive, be sure to mention that in the Bulletin Announcement. In addition, please have a respected member of the community make a brief Altar Announcement each month on the weekend that the Bulletin Announcement is published. This individual should inform the community of the progress toward the Parish goal, stress the importance of making pledge payment and refer people to the Bulletin Announcement. If you have a special use for the rebates, please be sure to mention that each month but, most importantly, once payments have exceeded the parish goal. Please consider having several community leaders make these announcements so that the same person is not speaking month after month. Monthly Bulletin Status Announcement 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal Pledge Report Come, Follow Me The monthly pledge billings for the Annual Catholic Appeal pledges have been mailed. It is very important that these pledges be paid so that our parish will reach and hopefully, exceed our goal. Once the pledge payments have exceeded our goal, all of the additional funds are returned to our parish for use in our ministries. PARISH GOAL: AMOUNT PLEDGED: AMOUNT PAID: REMAINING BALANCE: **REBATE AMOUNT ** Once your parish has exceeded its goal in cash received, update the rebate amount each month. -21-
Monthly Campaign Update Reports On the 20 th of each month, a report will be sent to your Archdiocesan email account. This report will list all current donors, their pledged amount and amounts paid-to-date. It is important that you advise the Appeal office of any name and/or address changes so that pledge reminders reach the parishioners on a timely basis. If you have not set up your Archdiocesan email account, please contact the Annual Catholic Appeal office at (312) 534-7959. A list of Appeal staff with phone numbers, etc. can be located on the back cover of this manual. Procedural Manual, Bulletin Announcements, and Art Work Copies of the manual, the Bulletin Announcements and the 2018 campaign art work can be found on the Annual Catholic Appeal web site. These materials are provided in English, Spanish and Polish. Requests for Help If you need assistance with implementation of the campaign, please call the Annual Catholic Appeal office. A staff listing is located on the back cover of this manual. -22-
Bulletin Announcement for First Weekend of the Month May Through December This can also be found on the ACA website The following Bulletin Announcement should be edited to assure that each audience understands it. Then, it should be published on the first weekend of each month. Having a special use for the rebates will improve the collection of pledges. If your parish has a special use for any rebates that you receive, be sure to mention that in the Bulletin Announcement. 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal Pledge Report Come, Follow Me The monthly pledge billings for the Annual Catholic Appeal pledges have been mailed. It is very important that these pledges be paid so that our parish will reach and, hopefully, exceed our goal. Once the pledge payments have exceeded our goal, all of the additional funds are returned to our parish for use in our ministries. PARISH GOAL: AMOUNT PLEDGED: AMOUNT PAID: REMAINING BALANCE: **REBATE AMOUNT ** Once your parish has exceeded its goal in cash received, please update your rebate amount each month. -23-
Bulletin Announcement for September 2018 This can also be found on the ACA website 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal - Come, Follow Me. Today we wish to recognize those who not only support our parish, but also have made a gift or pledge to the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal of the Archdiocese of Chicago. On behalf of those who will be served by your contributions, thank you to all who have already completed their pledge payments, as well as those who are still making payments. For those of you who have not had an opportunity to make a pledge or a gift this year but wish to support the ministries and services funded by the Annual Catholic Appeal, please contact the Annual Catholic Appeal Office at (312)-534-7959 or online at. Remember that when our Parish exceeds its goal, any additional funds received are returned for use in our Parish. When each of our individual gifts are combined with the gifts of thousands of other parishioners throughout the Archdiocese, each contributor makes a very real difference in the ability of the Archdiocese to provide ministries and services. Thank you again for your support. Bulletin Announcement for October 2018 This can also be found on the ACA website 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal - Come, Follow Me Gifts of our time, talent and treasure to our Parish and our Archdiocese are an important part of our commitment to stewardship of God s gifts. Those who have contributed to the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal are expressing their gratitude for God s gifts to them and are providing critical resources necessary to continue the ministries and services of the Archdiocese. Remember that when our Parish exceeds its goal, any additional funds received are returned for use in our Parish. On behalf of Cardinal Blase J. Cupich and the many beneficiaries of the Annual Appeal, thank you for completing your pledge payments. Every gift is important and appreciated. Those who are paying pledges to the Appeal are reminded that the last pledge billing will be mailed in early December. If you wish to make a contribution to the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal, please contact the Annual Catholic Appeal at (312)-534-7959 or online at. -24-
Bulletin Announcement for November 2018 This can also be found on the ACA website 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal - Come, Follow Me Each year, thousands of households throughout the Archdiocese support the Annual Catholic Appeal. Their gifts are given to help our neighbors in Cook and Lake Counties and around the world. Just one more pledge billing will be sent before the conclusion of the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal of the Archdiocese of Chicago. On behalf of those who work in or benefit from the ACA funded ministries and services, thank you to those of you who have completed your pledge payments. Remember that when our Parish exceeds its goal, any additional funds received are returned for use in our Parish. Each gift, when combined with the gifts of thousands of other parishioners throughout the Archdiocese, makes a very real difference. Bulletin Announcement for December 2018 This can also be found on the ACA website 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal - Come, Follow Me The 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal is coming to a close. If you still have a pledge balance, please complete your pledge payments as soon as possible. For those who make charitable contributions at the end of the year, please consider gifts to your Parish and to the Annual Catholic Appeal. Your financial support is greatly appreciated. On behalf of Cardinal Cupich, our Pastor,, our Parish Appeal Leadership and Parish staff, thank you for supporting your neighbors in Cook and Lake Counties, as well as around the world. Every gift is important and appreciated. If you have not made a gift as yet and you wish to be part of the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal, it s not too late. Please contact the Annual Catholic Appeal at (312)-534-7959 or online at. -25-