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Frequently Asked Questions about our Capital Campaign and New Church

As the Capital Campaign continues its success we have been asked questions about the campaign. Each week we will answer the most often asked questions in this section. We ask you to submit your questions electronically to holyname@holynamecc.org or you can write them out and drop them in the Building Campaign Question Basket located in the entryway.

Q: Why are we going to stop the second collection for the building fund?
A: It is very important now that we increase our total pledges and discontinue our unplanned gifts through the pew and parish envelopes. We are prayerful in our hope that all families will commit to a pledge rather than give through the sporadic payment method and here is why.

As mentioned last week in this column the Archdiocese requires two totals from us; cash-on-hand and overall pledged funds. We must raise approximately $2,500,000 in cash-on-hand (one half of the project cost: $5,000,000 ÷ 50% = $2,500,000) and the additional $2,500,000 accounted for in overall pledges before being allowed to begin construction. So you see, making a pledge assures that we can use your pledge towards the overall goal and your payments for the cash-on-hand goal. If you do not make a pledge and give occasionally then we can only use your gifts in the cash-on-hand total.

Even if you only make a small pledge it will be added to the tally of our overall goal. If you are hesitant then make a small pledge you know you can live with. You can always increase it at a later date. There is no minimum to pledge. If you cannot maintain the pledge you made you can call the church office to decrease your payments. Likewise, if you want to increase your pledge later that is fine too. A pledge is not a contract; it is a commitment from you to God and the rest of us in support of your church. So if you continue to give in this manner your dollars will count in the cash-on-hand tally but not towards our overall goal. We hope that everyone will prayerfully consider making a pledge and welcome the campaign volunteer as a brother or sister in Christ.

Q: So how is stopping the second collection going to help?
A: The envelopes in the pews will be changed. They will be yellow and tailored specifically for guests to our church. Instructions on the envelope will ask parishioners not to use these envelopes. We hope that parishioners follow the plan.

Q: How do I pay my pledge then?
A: You can pay by check, credit/debit card or by automatic deduction from a checking or savings account. 1) If you elect to pay your pledge by check we will send you a reminder note along with a return envelope so you can mail it, hand deliver it, or put in the collection basket. The reminders and envelopes will be sent as often as you elected to pay. For example: if you elected to pay your pledge on a monthly basis you will receive a reminder and remittance envelope each month. If you selected quarterly payments you will get a reminder and remittance envelope every three months, and so on. 2) We are now able to accept pledge payments via your credit or debit card, or by automatic deduction from your checking or savings account. If you have already made a pledge and want to change your method of payment please call the office and we will get a form to you. If you have not pledged yet, the volunteer who calls on you will have the form. You may elect to have your automatic payments made on either the 5th or 20th of the month.

Q: What if I put money in the building envelopes and make a pledge now – do I get credit for what I put in the envelope?
A: Yes. Any payments made after July 1, 2008 using the ‘Parish Building Fund’ envelopes from your offertory envelope pack or the pew envelopes will automatically be credited to your pledge. For example: If you have not made a pledge yet and you make a $50 contribution this weekend using a ‘Parish Building Fund’ envelope then you later make a pledge, this weekend’s $50 contribution will be applied to the payment of your pledge. All this is assuming that you make these gifts with your name and address as opposed to a cash gift.

Q: How does the Archdiocese help us keep our campaign funds secure?
A: The Archdiocese has established guidelines for parishes to follow in order to secure funds that have been saved and raised for specific use and for campaigns like ours. These guidelines are outlined and available to the public on the Archdiocese of Denver website. These guidelines and rules refer to the fact that monies obtained for a restricted purpose (like our campaign) are protected in a number of ways, not the least of which is they are established and held by the parish in a separate account with the parish Federal Tax ID number. Further, Canon law (Canon 1267 §3) specifies that monies given for a definite purpose can only be applied for that purpose to the exclusion of any other entity (the Archdiocese for example) using the funds for a purpose other than the original intended use. So, the Archdiocese has gone to great lengths in order to help us secure and grow our funds. We will address this subject in more detail in an upcoming Cornerstone, but suffice it to say we have followed the procedures to protect and safeguard our funds so that they are dedicated for our building project use.

Q: Why is it a good time to pledge now?
A: Because, with the $500,000 challenge your pledge will help us to reach this goal and will enable you to double the value of your gift. In case you didn’t know, last week a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous has made a $500,000 pledge towards the building campaign provided the parish raises the equivalent amount in new pledges.

Robb Spence
Campaign Director

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