Fundraising

BY ANNIE LUST

It began with a voicemail. Actually, Brad and Mary Crown each received a message from Msgr. Michael Billian, their pastor. That led to the couple attending an informational meeting, then volunteering to be a part of the Living Christ capital and endowment campaign parish team. Which then led to speaking at a parish event, attending weekly gatherings and meeting with a couple of dozen parishioners. Still, they are glad they answered the call.

Brad and Mary love their parish. Brad has been a member of St. Joseph in Sylvania his entire life, except during college and a few years afterward. When Brad returned to Sylvania with his wife, Mary, being members of the parish and enrolling their children in St. Joseph Catholic School was a priority. They even inquired about the parish boundaries to ensure their new house was within the parish. They were frequently involved in school and parish life for the next couple of decades. “We immersed ourselves in their activities, and our involvement with the parish was the perfect complement,” Mary explained. After their sons graduated and moved away, their school and parish involvement tapered off.

Several years later, when Brad and Mary both received a voicemail from Msgr. Billian, the pastor of St. Joseph, they were ready. “It was time to jump back in,” Mary said. Their parish was in the pilot phase of the Diocese of Toledo’s Living Christ capital and endowment campaign. Going into the informational meeting, they had little knowledge about the specifics, but they were open to volunteering with one caveat: “We are not asking people for money,” they emphasized.

In the meeting, they learned the purpose of the campaign: to strengthen local parish ministries, support clergy, expand Catholic charitable outreach, enhance Catholic education, form lay leaders and support Holy Rosary Cathedral. “We liked what we heard and knew we wanted to be a part of it. The time had come for us to step up … to put forth the effort to keep our parish top-notch and to strengthen the Diocese of Toledo. It was simply the right thing to do,” Mary said. They became so passionate that they agreed to reach out to other parishioners to inform them about the campaign and its importance to the parish and diocese and how they could contribute to the success. The very thing they originally pledged not to do — ask people for money — became more comfortable. “Once we saw what we were supporting, it became easier to ask people for their financial support. We just felt good about the campaign,” Mary explained. Brad continued, “And the more we [met with people], the easier it became.”

And they had success. Nearly everyone Brad and Mary met with decided to support the campaign. “The generosity is indeed heartwarming,” Mary said. Mary credits that success to the Holy Spirit, helping them find the words to inspire others. Before meeting with people, Mary recited the campaign prayer. “What better time to call on the Holy Spirit to help us find the words to reach people?”

Looking back on the fruits, there are a few obvious blessings. The parish campaign was a tremendous success, far exceeding its goal. It’s something Brad and Mary take pride in. An unexpected benefit has been the communitybuilding aspect. “I enjoyed it. I had the opportunity to get to know some people I otherwise wouldn’t have known,” Mary said. They built relationships with other volunteers, like their neighbors who walked to meetings with them and the people they met with to ask for support.

Their involvement as volunteers for the Living Christ campaign strengthened their bond with their parish and also helped them view the Catholic Church beyond parish boundaries. They encouraged fellow parishioners to expand their love of the parish to a broader scale, to support not only their own parish but to help build a vibrant Church throughout the Diocese of Toledo. Brad summed up their feelings: “This is our chance to shine. To lay the groundwork for future generations, not only in our parish but in all parishes.”

As Brad and Mary are quick to point out, they are only one small part of the team their parish organized. It takes many people to be successful, so if you get a call from your pastor or someone at your parish, Brad said, “Answer the call. Go to the meeting and be open to it. Hopefully, you will feel compelled to be a part of it. You won’t regret it.” Mary concluded, “It’s such a rewarding experience.”