Frequently Asked Questions:
(En Español)
What is the Legacy for Our Mission Campaign?
The Legacy for Our Mission Campaign is a
comprehensive, archdiocesan-wide initiative aimed
at achieving the following objectives:
- Generate capital, endowment, and direct ministry funds to strengthen parishes and archdiocesan
ministries as outlined in the campaign plan
- Further the education in and practice
of stewardship
- Continue to implement the strategic plans of
parishes and the archdiocesan Church.
What is the timeline for the Legacy for Our Mission Campaign?
Legacy for Our Mission began in 2004 and will
continue through December 2007. The campaign
has these related components: the Growing Stewards: Mission Enhancement Initiative, parish capital
stewardship campaigns, and a leadership gift effort.
After a pilot wave of parishes conducts the campaign in the fall of 2005, all remaining parishes will
participate in the spring of 2006, the fall of 2006,
or the spring of 2007. To help parishes successfully prepare for the campaign, opportunities to participate in Growing Stewards: Mission Enhancement Initiative will be strongly encouraged and available throughout the campaign.
Back to the top
What can a parish include in its local parish case for support?
Parishes can include capital, endowment, and
direct ministry goals in the parish case for support. Capital projects may include renovation, expansion, or deferred maintenance needs. Endowment funds
may be designated for general parish/school
operations, physical plant maintenance, or the
various ministry priorities of the parish (for example, faith formation, student tuition assistance, educational programs, social outreach, or cemetery care).
Back to the top
What ministries will benefit from the campaign?
The preliminary goal of the Legacy for Our Mission Campaign is to raise at least $100 million for the
following six priorities that will help us meet the growth challenges of our local Church:
Our Parish Ministry—enhancing and expanding
parish ministries through parish capital stewardship campaigns for capital, direct ministry, and endowment priorities.- Our Mission of Education—enhancing and
sustaining the excellent work of our Catholic schools through capital improvements, student financial
assistance, and innovations in teacher development and programs for children with special learning needs.
- Our Missions at Home—supporting home mission parishes and schools in urban and rural areas
providing specialized ministries to multicultural
populations in our archdiocese.
- Our Mission of Charity—renewing our commitment
to reach out to the poor, elderly, homeless, and
marginalized members of society through the work of Catholic Charities agencies.
- Our Future Ministry—investing in future leadership and ministry needs through vocations recruitment, education of seminarians and priests, formation
of permanent deacons, and funding for new parishes and schools.
- Our Ministry of Care—caring for the special needs
of retired priests, providing for spiritual needs
of guests at Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House,
providing for our cathedral, and supporting the
ministry of Catholic Cemeteries.
Back to the top
What percent of archdiocesan funds will be directed for the benefit of local parishes, schools, ministry agencies and retired priests?
It is anticipated that 100 percent of archdiocesan funds will be directed for the benefit of local parishes, schools, ministry agencies, and retired priests. Archdiocesan funding distributions are planned
as follows:
- 24 percent to Our Mission of Education
- 38 percent to Our Missions at Home
- 12.5 percent to Our Mission of Charity
- 12.5 percent to Our Future Ministry
- 13 percent to Our Mission of Care
The campaign plan calls for archdiocesan funds to be allocated as capital grants and as endowments for capital, student tuition assistance, and other forms of direct ministry.
Back to the top
How will parish goals be determined?
Every parish will have a benchmark based on Sunday and Holy Day Collections that serves as a measurable target for pledges and participation. Beyond the benchmark, a parish may set a higher goal that reflects the special vision of the parish and the local resources available to meet the parish vision. An RSI consultant will work with parish campaign leadership to set an appropriate and achievable goal.
Back to the top
Who will be asked to participate in the Legacy for Our Mission Campaign?
Every family in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis
will be given the opportunity to consider an informed, thoughtful, and prayerful commitment. Support from all members of the archdiocese will
be needed to make the campaign ministry objectives a reality.
Back to the top
How much do we estimate the campaign to cost as a percent of revenue?
By giving to Legacy for Our Mission, parishioners
can estimate that 94 cents of every dollar raised
will be used directly for parish and archdiocesan
ministry priorities.
Back to the top
How can I/we make a gift to the Legacy for Our Mission Campaign? What is the length of the pledge period?
We ask that you pray about making a three-year pledge to the campaign. This may enable you
to consider a larger gift that can be funded over
a period of time while giving the archdiocese the assurance of support for the project. You will have
the flexibility to fulfill commitments on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis.