February 13-14, 2021
Education Weekend is one of the key opportunities to inform and make your parish family aware of the upcoming Catholic Family Sharing Appeal 2021. It is the springboard that will set the tone for the entire appeal.
By the time Education Weekend arrives, the following should be in place:
- Posters displayed in gathering areas
- Bulletin announcement
- Catholic Family Sharing Appeal Chairperson and Volunteer committee
- Initial parish letters or email from priest sent to donors
- Church announcements organized
- General Intercessions
- Bishop’s video or audio message checked and ready to play
Points of insight
- The homily and Bishop’s audio message are the main focus.
- Enthusiasm and motivation will set the tone.
- Public awareness that they will receive Bishop’s letter and pledge card
- Instructions on bringing their pledge cards to Mass on February 20-21
- 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’s goal – what will the excess amount raised be used for?
- Indicate that monies over the Parish Share sent to the Diocese will stay in parish and be used for (parish cause)
- Emphasize that “ 100% Participation” is the true goal
- Utilize a lay witness presentation
- This may be a time you wish to discuss parish stewardship
Pulpit Announcements
Education/Kickoff Weekend – February 13-14
This week we begin Catholic Family Sharing Appeal 2021. Your gift to Catholic Family Sharing Appeal helps provide the necessary funding for many of the ministries within our diocese such as training our future priests, giving a voice to the unborn through the Respect Life Office, faith formation for youth and adults, ministry to the home bound and support of Newman Centers at our state universities. Most of these have or will, directly or indirectly, touch the lives of everyone in our parish. These are ongoing ministries and Bishop DeGrood needs our help to serve the many needs of our brothers and sisters in East River South Dakota.
This week you will receive a letter from Bishop DeGrood asking for your support to this year’s Catholic Family Sharing Appeal. Please prayerfully consider a gift to this year’s appeal, fill out your pledge card and bring it to church next weekend. If you do not receive a letter, let the parish office know.
Our parish share for this year is $____ and 100% participation. We hope that everyone will prayerfully consider the opportunity to offer a gift to this appeal. Remember any amount raised above our Parish share stays in this parish and will be used for . Thank you for being a part of Catholic Family Sharing Appeal – 202a.
Homily Ideas
Education/Kickoff Weekend – February 13-14
- Bishop’s video or audio message
- You will receive a letter from Bishop DeGrood later in the week along with a pledge card for Catholic Family Sharing Appeal 2021.
- Each year we as Catholics are called to come together as one family to give thanks to God for the many gifts we have been given. Catholic Family Sharing Appeal is our opportunity to grow together in the life of the church, to support those around us as we do our family.
- The funds raised by Catholic Family Sharing Appeal are a critical supplement to the ministries of the diocese. These ministries are greater than what one individual parish could support and maintain. Together we are able to fund ministries that serve the greater church.
- The one ministry we continue to see fruits from is Seminarian Education. This year alone, the diocese is blessed to have 15 men studying and discerning their call to the priesthood. Your support allows them to do this without the addition of financial pressure.
- Those of you who have been involved in the past know what you gave last year. Add to that, if possible or consider increasing your gift to help us reach the parish’s goal. Those who are involved for the first time, what should you give? Some can give $50, some $100, some $500, some $1,000 ….only you can determine that through prayer. Give thanks for your blessings and ask God what he desires you to give.
- We will be collecting pledge cards during the offertory next Saturday the 17 and Sunday the 21.
- Reflect on the theme, “One Faith. One Family” and take the time to prayerfully consider your gift. When have you been blessed by kindness and never asked for anything in return? Now is your chance to “pay it forward.”
- Let’s make this a great year for Catholic Family Sharing Appeal and join our diocesan church in helping the people of our diocese.
- I want to thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity.
Intercession prayers
Education/Kickoff Weekend – February 13-14
- That as we begin the Catholic Family Sharing Appeal, God may bless our parish and diocese. Strengthen our faith and grant us the spirit of Christian generosity by opening our hearts to the needs of the Church….We Pray to the Lord
- That Catholic Family Sharing Appeal 2021 may be successful in our parish and throughout the diocese in raising the necessary funds for us to continue to do God’s ministry….We Pray to the Lord
- For each of us at this Mass; in oneness may we put into action our love for God by responding to the needs of others through the Catholic Family Sharing Appeal….We pray to the Lord
Bulletin Announcement:
Education/Kickoff Weekend – February 13-14
Today we begin the Catholic Family Sharing Appeal 2021. Catholic Family Sharing Appeal challenges us each year to think beyond our walls and our individual needs. At some time in your life, you or someone you love will be served in one way or another from the ministries supported by Catholic Family Sharing Appeal. Your gift helps each of the diocesan ministries reach out to thousands, including training our future priests, a respect for life, education in our faith and ministry to the home bound, helping hurting marriages and more. This week you will receive a letter from Bishop DeGrood asking for your support for this year’s Catholic Family Sharing Appeal. Please prayerfully consider a gift to this year’s appeal, fill out your pledge card and bring it to church next weekend. If you do not receive a letter, let the parish office know.
Our parish share for 2021 is $____ and 100% participation. I am confident we will exceed this goal, but we need the help of everyone. Remember any amount raised above our share stays in this parish. Thank you for being a part of Catholic Family Sharing Appeal 2021.