The Parish Share Program provides necessary annual operating support for agencies, pastoral ministries, and education programs throughout the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Our Campaign for The Church Alive! will raise money for specific capital and endowment needs that will fortify key programs within the Diocese. This campaign will enable the Church of Pittsburgh to provide additional financial support to parishes; to ensure access to a high-quality Catholic education; to invest in faith formation and campus infrastructure; to care for retired clergy; and to minister to the needy in our region by providing vital human services. Donors will be asked to maintain current annual gift levels in addition to campaign investments.

The traditional Parish Share Program will be separate and distinct from Our Campaign for The Church Alive! After much discernment from the Pastors' Advisory Committee, it was recommended that the parishes continue to conduct their Parish Share Program as they see fit providing all money is transmitted to the Diocese, as usual, by December 31 of the calendar year.

The campaign is seeking leadership and support from priests, individuals, private businesses, corporations and charitable foundations. All members of the surrounding Catholic community are be invited to participate. The campaign seeks contributions that are equal in sacrifice, not necessarily equal in dollar amount. Prospective donors are asked to make stretch gifts commensurate with their ability over a five year period.

Our Campaign for The Church Alive! encourages pledged gifts because they allow individuals and families the opportunity to spread payments over a multi-year period.

Every parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh is taking part in the campaign. The parish phase of the campaign began in January 2013 and is expected to conclude in May 2014. Parishes will be asked to participate in one of four tracks of activity. With the assistance of Parish Campaign Directors and the Campaign Office staff, each of the approximately 200 parishes within the Diocese of Pittsburgh will run a parish-based campaign to support this historic endeavor.

The proceeds of each parish campaign will be shared forty percent (40%) to the parish and sixty percent (60%) to the Diocese, as cash payments are received on pledges up to the parish's established target.

Providing a parish has made a good faith effort and attempted to follow the campaign plan, it will receive forty cents ($.40) on every dollar collected, less expenses, even if it does not reach its target.

9. Should a parish exceed its target, it will then receive sixty cents ($.60) cents of every dollar raised over its target.

In the short term, offertory giving is expected to remain constant. Our Campaign for The Church Alive! encourages parishioners to make extraordinary pledges above and beyond regular giving. Parishioners are not asked to diminish giving to their parish offertory or to Parish Share, rather to consider a greater commitment to the campaign. Similar campaigns have actually caused increases in parish offertory. This can be attributed to donors improving their understanding of "Church" and embracing stewardship as a way of life.

No. A pledge is a good-faith commitment made under a particular set of circumstances. If those circumstances change, donors can adjust their pledge payment schedule or balance accordingly.

Yes. Monies will be maintained in a separate 501(c)(3), entitled Our Campaign for The Church Alive! Inc. to be used exclusively for the purposes outlined in the case statement, including campaign expenses. None of the money raised in the campaign will be used for purposes unrelated to the case statement.