We would like to share Confirmation photos from around the diocese in the Against the Current email newsletter! If your parish/pastorate has already had Confirmation for this year, please send a group photo to Brianna Wingen (bwingen@sfcatholic.org) if you would like it included. If you haven’t had Confirmations yet, don’t worry! We’ll be including these photos several times over the next few months. Send them to us afterward. Thank you and happy Confirmation season!
Author: wpadmin
Did you Sign the Abortion Petition?
We’ve heard many stories of people who signed the abortion petition but didn’t understand that it will allow abortion up to birth in our state. Now they wish they hadn’t signed it. Help others who may have signed the abortion petition circulating the state to remove their name. They can visit takeoffmyname.com and follow the instructions. Hurry! Time is running out!
Summer RCIA program
St. Michael Parish is offering a “Summer RCIA” program beginning May 8 at 7 p.m. No pre-registration is necessary, just come to Entrance F on the east side of the St. Michael School building. The program goes through August 14, with Confirmation following.
“Take off my name” campaign
As the deadline approaches to turn in the petition to put abortion on our state constitution, it is looking more and more likely it will succeed in getting the required number of signatures. Based on the accounts of Life Defense Fund volunteers who were present while petitioners were collecting signatures, deceptive practices were sometimes used to convince people to sign. Many of those who signed may now want to have their name removed.
Thankfully, our South Dakota Legislature recently passed a bill that will allow people to fill out a form to have their name removed. Find below a bulletin blurb you can include in your weekend bulletins and a flier that could be inserted. Help us keep this bill off the ballot!
Bulletin Blurb: Did you sign the abortion petition being circulated in South Dakota? Do you now wish you hadn’t signed it and wish you could remove your name? A recently passed law now makes it possible for you to remove your name from this petition, which could keep it from getting onto the ballot this November. Keep South Dakota’s babies safe by giving them the dignity and life they deserve as children of God. Visit www.takeoffmyname.com to learn more.
Help for social media and websites
Are you part of a parish or pastorate staff and work with social media or websites? It’s likely you’re starting to encounter the need to make decisions about merging Facebook pages, building a new website and other digital media issues. The Communications Team here at the Chancery has been through most of these things and is here to help you wade through them!
If you have questions about social media, websites or any other communications issues, we encourage you to reach out to us. You can email Renae Kranz at rkranz@sfcatholic.org. You don’t have to struggle alone!
Catholic Community Foundation Grant Applications
The Catholic Community Foundation for Eastern South Dakota is pleased to continue to provide grants to serve the spiritual, educational, health and social needs of the people served by the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls. We encourage you to consider if there is a new program or ministry in your parish or school that needs seed money and submit an application for a grant to get it started. Please go to the Catholic Foundation webpage (https://ccfesd.org/grants/)
Pro-life information
Stay informed and be engaged in the South Dakota legislative pro-life process. Every issue dealt with during session is a “moral issue” that affects the everyday lives of our families and friends. Sign-up TODAY to receive SD Right to Life’s weekly “Legislative Pro-Life Report” email by going to www.sdRightToLife.org. Current pro-life information is also available by clicking on the tab “Legislative Information.”
Eucharistic Miracles display at St. Lambert
St. Lambert Parish in Sioux Falls is hosting a Eucharistic Miracles Display on Saturday, January 27 beginning at 2 p.m. and Sunday, January 28 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Below is a tentative itinerary for the event.
Saturday, January 27
2 p.m. – Exhibit opens
3:15 p.m. – Earl Markley will give a short presentation
4:30-5:30 p.m. – Mass
5:30-??? p.m. – Exhibit
Sunday, January 28
8:30-9:30 a.m. – Mass
9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. – Exhibit will be open
9:45 a.m. – Earl Markley will give a short presentation
10 a.m. – Mass
2 p.m. – Exhibit Closes
Childcare will be provided for one hour after each Mass. Catechesis during childcare will focus on Candlemas.
Eucharistic presentation in Luverne
Join us on February 7 at 7 p.m. at St. Catherine Church in Luverne, Minnesota, for a Eucharistic Presentation by Father Leo Patalinghug. Fr. Leo is an author/speaker, creator and founder of an international food and faith movement called Plating Grace. He is a host for radio, podcast and a weekly international food and faith show on EWTN, “Savoring our Faith.” The mission to see food as a gift from God to nourish your family and to strengthen relationships is making this world a better place one meal at a time. All are welcome from 6th grade through adults. We would love for you to join us.
Year-end giving
This time of the year is filled with joyful expectation: expectation of the coming of Christ, of the new year, of time with family and loved ones. Amid all of that, know that your friends at the Catholic Community Foundation for Eastern South Dakota (CCFESD) are here to help you enjoy the giving season. Below you will find two of our favorite tips for convenient and tax-efficient charitable giving, as well as CCFESD’s key dates for year-end giving.
If you have questions or would like to make a year-end gift, contact Heather Fortin, our director of Stewardship, by phone at 605-988-3777 or 605-988-3788 or by email at hfortin@ccfesd.org.
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- Give appreciated stock. With strong stock market performance in 2023, you may have shares that you’ve held for more than a year that have appreciated in value. Save on taxes by gifting your shares to CCFESD and directing them to the ministry/charity of your choice.
- Give through a Donor Advised Fund. You can give your appreciated assets to the fund and then grant the charitable dollars on your own timeline. When it’s time to file your taxes, you have just one gift acknowledgement letter to track down!
Important Year-end Dates and Giving Guidelines
If you are considering starting a Donor Advised Fund (DAF), keep the following in mind as the end of year approaches:
Stock Gift Reminder
IMPORTANT: If you are planning to gift stock to your DAF, please call our office at 605-988-3777 and let us know. Having this information in advance will help us process your gift efficiently and effectively. Without complete stock transfer information, CCFESD may not be able to deposit proceeds to your DAF.
Click to view CCFESD’s security gift transfer instructions
IRA Charitable Rollovers
CCFESD needs the funds from your plan administrator and direction for distribution before noon on Monday, December 13 to postmark and mail checks to ministries/charities before year end.
Key Year-end Dates
Monday, December 13
Submit DAF grant recommendations by this date to ensure your grants are mailed before the end of the calendar year.
Friday, December 8
Initiate mutual fund transfers by this date. Click to view CCFESD’s security gift transfer instructions
Friday, December 15
Initiate stock transfers prior to this date so stock gifts are received in CCFESD’s account by year-end. Click to view CCFESD’s security gift transfer instructions
Friday, December 29 – LAST BUSINESS DAY OF 2023
CCFESD must receive cash gifts at our office by this date. If you plan to deliver a gift to our office, please call us at 605-988-3788 to let us know.
Sunday, December 31
Remember that contributions made by check to CCFESD must be dated and postmarked by USPS no later than this date.
CCFESD Office Closures for the holidays
Please note, CCFESD office is closed the following dates:
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- Monday, December 25
- Tuesday, December 26 – however, a staff member will be available this day – call 605-988-3759 for assistance
- Monday, January 1
If you would like to learn more about donor advised funds, gifts of appreciated assets or through a charitable IRA rollover, please get in touch! We look forward to connecting with you. Email Heather Fortin at hfortin@ccfesd.org or call 605-988-3777.