Father John Bauer is the first to admit he was worried about inviting his parishioners to participate in Our Campaign for The Church Alive!
The pastor of St. Hugh and Our Lady of Consolation parishes in Greene County knows the difficulties facing his flock. The local economy is still struggling as coal mines cut production and power plants shut down. Father Bauer thought the timing of the campaign was off.
But both of his parish campaigns are flourishing, reflecting the vibrancy of a Church Alive.
In Donora, where banks and supermarkets have closed, Our Lady of the Valley Parish raised 136 percent of its campaign target and pledges are still coming in.
In Pittsburgh’s Greenfield neighborhood, leaders at St. Rosalia Parish also were apprehensive about whether they could achieve success. But led by their pastor, Father Joe Reschick, parishioners worked together to leave a legacy for the next generation, raising 110 percent of the parish target.
A member of St. Victor Parish in tiny Bairdford in the northeast corner of Allegheny County, volunteer Al O’Neil took a deep breath when he and his wife Annie signed on for the campaign last September. The goal was a stretch and their pastor later encountered some personal challenges. But everyone joined hands and celebrated success.
“I was surprised and elated that we hit our goal,” O’Neil said. “It wasn’t easy, but it’s always been our belief that if you’re part of an organization, you need to be active.”
Halfway through the campaign at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in the Beechview section of Pittsburgh, they’ve already topped the target and have set a challenge goal.
Father John Rushofsky of St. Sebastian Parish in Ross Township says Our Campaign for The Church Alive! has made him a better pastor because he’s gotten to know more of his parishioners.
Stepping forward in faith
In urban, suburban and rural areas, in parishes both large and small, clergy and lay people have embraced Bishop David Zubik’s invitation to dream about what their faith community can become.
“We’ve been able to pay our bills on a month-to-month basis, but never had the financial resources to make long-term plans,” said Bob Cunningham, chair of St. Rosalia’s campaign. “Now we can dream about improving our building and grounds and ministries. It’s a vote of confidence in the future of our parish; that we won’t just survive, but thrive.”
Benefiting all the parishes of the diocese across Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington counties, the campaign seeks to address urgent needs—to sustain and strengthen parishes, invigorate evangelization, revitalize sacramental life, support education and formation in the faith, train pastoral and lay leaders, serve the poor and marginalized, and provide a better link to the homebound and senior citizens.
More than simply an effort to raise money, the campaign is a spiritual plan with its roots deep within Bishop David Zubik’s first Pastoral Letter, The Church Alive!
“I didn’t know what to expect here at St. Hugh and Our Lady of Consolation,” Father Bauer said. “But I prayed hard that the campaign would go well, got behind it, and so far we’re doing well. The people are listening with open minds. They realize they also belong to a greater parish, the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
“As Bishop Zubik said, we’re one church alive in six counties.”
Father Pierre “Bud” Falkenhan, Jr., pastor of Our Lady of the Valley in Donora, says despite tough times in the Mon Valley, his parishioners were very supportive of the campaign.
“I was blown away by how much we raised for our parish,” Fr. Falkenhan said. “We have many retirees, but everyone was very generous. If you follow the campaign plan, you’ll have success.”
Established more than a century ago, St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Beechview has held four capital campaigns over the last 10 years, raising funds to repair the church bell tower, replace roofs and a boiler, and tear down their old school building to make room for a parking lot.
It would have been easy to say his parishioners are tired of giving, but Father Jim Bachner knows they are committed.
“They see the past funds have been spent wisely, and that’s helpful,” Fr. Bachner said.
St. Sebastian parishioners believe in the cause, according to campaign volunteer Bernie Kortz, and they trust their pastor. “Fr. John is a wonderful man, and one of the reasons the campaign was so successful,” Kortz said.
“The Spirit watches over us and guides us,” Fr. Rushofsky said. “I knew our parishioners would come through because they always do. People like to be part of a winning team and they got involved and helped us exceed our target. Some parishioners even raised the amount of their original pledges.”
“St. Hugh and Our Lady of Consolation are growing,” Fr. Bauer said. “People go where they are fed. Despite the challenges, they give. That’s a sign of faith, and the power of prayer.”
