February 20-21, 2021
The Commitment Weekend is where a large percentage of your pledges will be collected. It is important at this time to attract those who have not donated before and encourage those who have not returned the cards to do so at their earliest convenience.
By the time Commitment Weekend arrives, the following should be in place:
- Posters displayed in gathering areas
- Bulletin announcement
- Bishop’s letter and pledge card received in-house
- Initial parish letters sent to top donors
- Church announcements organized
- General Intercessions
- Initial education as to Catholic Family Sharing Appeal and ministries funded
- Ushers instructed on offertory
- Table in a central location for duplicate pledge cards
Points of insight
- The homily is the main focus
- Enthusiasm and motivation will set the tone for the offering.
- Utilize a lay witness presentation if possible
- Awareness of their receipt of Bishop’s letter and pledge card
- Make parishioners aware that duplicate pledge cards are available in the church office.
- Instructions on bringing their pledge cards to the offertory
- Consider setting up a separate offertory for Catholic Family Sharing Appeal only
- Overview of the ministries funded through Catholic Family Sharing Appeal (people want to know where their dollars are going)
- Try to localize these ministries into your area and show benefits
- Overview of the parish share and “stretch” goal
- Indicate that gifts over the parish share sent to the diocese will stay in parish and used for (parish cause)
- Have a cause for over shooting your share and place reminders of the cause
- Emphasize that “100% Participation” is the true goal
- This may be a time you wish to discuss parish stewardship
Pulpit Announcements
Commitment Weekend – February 20-21
Today we collect the pledge cards for the Catholic Family Sharing Appeal 2021. Thank you all who have already given so generously. Every gift, regardless of the size, is important to the success of Catholic Family Sharing Appeal and the many ministries that it supports.
If you did not bring your pledge card in this week, please fill it out and return it as soon as possible. We need participation from everyone to support the many works of our diocesan church. If you cannot participate financially please consider filling out your card and offer a prayer for the success of Catholic Family Sharing Appeal. Our goal is 100% participation offered through our time, talent or treasure. Again, any amount raised above the Parish share will stay in the parish.
Homily Ideas
Commitment Weekend – February 20-21
- You should have received your letter and pledge card from Bishop DeGrood earlier this week. I would like to thank all of you who have already been so generous this weekend.
- Those of you who have been involved in the past know what you gave last year. Consider increasing your gift, if possible, to help make this goal. Those who are involved for the first time, we ask you to prayerfully consider the manner in which you can support Catholic Family Sharing Appeal. Let’s make this a great year for Catholic Family Sharing Appeal and those less fortunate than ourselves. I want to thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.
- Give a personal testimony of how you have been impacted by the ministries in the Diocese. (Marriage Tribunal, Counseling Services through Catholic Family Services, Continuing education, Human Resources assistance, Information Technology assistance, etc.)
- Thank you again and God bless.
Intercession prayers:
Commitment Weekend – February 20-21
- That as we begin the Catholic Family Sharing Appeal 2021, God may bless our parish and diocese, strengthen our faith and help us remember that we “One Faith and One Family.”
- That God will grant us a generous spirit so we may see the Catholic Family Sharing Appeal as an opportunity to understand Christian stewardship to strengthen our families, our parish and diocesan community and continue to build a Legacy of Faith.
Bulletin Announcements:
Commitment Weekend – February 20-21
Today we collect pledge cards for the Catholic Family Sharing Appeal – 2021. This is an opportunity for us to unite with all Catholics in the diocese to share our blessings and to show our concern for one another. Every gift, regardless of the size, is important to the success of Catholic Family Sharing Appeal and the many ministries that it supports.
If you did not bring yours this week, please fill it out and return it as soon as possible. We need participation from everyone to support the many works of our diocesan church. If you cannot participate financially, fill out your card and offer a prayer for the success of Catholic Family Sharing Appeal. Our goal is 100% participation through time, talent and treasure. Again, any amount raised above the goal will stay in the parish. To those who returned their cards, thank you for your generous response!