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Love One Another: The Catholic Campaign

- Letter from Fr. Matthew
  
  Dear Friends in Christ,
  
  Lumen Christi is participating in Wave 3 of the Love One Another Campaign. God’s guidance and unconditional love have helped us navigate recent challenges and we remain a vibrant faith community here in Mequon.
  
  I am fully supportive of this campaign in which 60 percent of what we raise will go toward meeting our own parish needs. The remaining funds will support new and expanded efforts focusing on Catholic Charities for the poor and those in need, Saint Francis de Sales Seminary, priest’s retirement, and vital ministries throughout the 10 counties of southeastern Wisconsin.
  
  Your pledge will make a significant impact within our parish, the Church, and the community. Please take a moment to review the impact of the Love One Another Campaign at Lumen Christi. I hope you embrace this wonderful opportunity and I ask you to pray for the success of the Love One Another Campaign.
  
  Peace and Blessings,
  Reverend Matthew K. Jacob
  Pastor
- Parish Goal: $3,243,234
  Parish Share: $1,945,941
  
  Visit the Archdiocese Love One Another website
  We invite you to submit a pledge online
  You can submit your pledge via the paper form you received or online by clicking the button above. Please submit your pledge no later than June 30. Thank you!
- Fr. Matthew Love One Another Explanation from April 30th's 9:00 AM Mass
Our Parish Needs
- Debt Retirement
  Debt Retirement | $765,000
  
  We will close out the debt incurred with our 2014- 2021 Master Building project, which will enhance our financial health. This will allow our parish to maintain a stronger financial position and enable us to focus our resources on other ministries and new evangelical efforts to best serve the parish community.
- Capital Improvements
  Capital Improvements | $890,941
  
  We are proud of our Master Building project and want to continue to prioritize our parish to bolster our faith community for future generations. Our school project was completed in 2016 to accommodate the unification of both St. Cecilia and St. James locations, by doing minor repairs to some old structures and adding a middle school and an Activity Center/Gym. The master building project concluded with the remodeling of our worship space in 2019, thanks to all your generosity. Short-and-long-term improvements include but are not limited to installing a hearing-impaired system for the church, replacing priest vestments, fixing our old roof and cooling systems in both buildings, and renovating the indoor and outdoor classroom spaces due to an increase in school and Catholic Formation programs. All improvements are oriented towards providing parishioners with a comfortable worship space experience and enhancing faith formation.
  
  This fund allocation will provide a solid starting point for us to begin the work in the order of priority and if we will, as a community, exceed the campaign goal- that will help us complete the needs of classrooms and cafeteria for school and other equipment replacements as needed.
- Outreach & Formation
  Outreach & Formation | $290,000
  
  We will invest in faith formation programs for our parishioners and staff. Planned programs include but are not limited to enhancing curriculums for our school and parish, attending professional conferences, assisting staff with costs for advanced degrees and certifications, and further investing in faith formation programs for parishioners, students, and staff.
  
  Lumen Christi will bolster outreach to our twinning partners: Center for Working Families, Missionary Fraternity of Mary, and St. Hyacinth Parish.
Ways We Give
- Lumen Christi parishioners are presented with different opportunities to support our parish and the ministries of the Church in southeastern Wisconsin over the next few months. These include our Envelope & Offertory, the Catholic Stewardship Appeal (CSA), and the Love One Another campaign. Below explains the different appeals to help you discern your giving to the Church.
- Envelope & Offertory
  How it Helps
  
  Helps support Sacramental preparation services, liturgical programs, religious education programs, and ministry.
  
  Offsets the costs of day-to-day parish operations and programs. (payroll, maintenance, utilities, and supplies).
  
  Prayerfully consider contributing 2% or 3% of your household income or a suggested minimum of $1,000 annually.
- Catholic Stewardship Appeal
  How it Helps
  
  Serves the needy
  
  Strengthens parish ministries and promotes evangelization
  
  Supports Catholic schools/religious education
  
  Forms priests and deacons in the entire Archdiocese of Milwaukee
- Love One Another
  How it Helps
  
  Offers forward-looking, 5-year planning for the Archdiocese and our Parish
  
  Supports parish projects beyond the scope of our basic operations (see case statement for examples)
  
  60% (or more) of funds raised go to the parish
Frequently Asked Questions
- Campaign
  Campaign
  
  1. What is the Love One Another Campaign?
  The Love One Another Campaign is to prepare for the next generation of Catholics in our 10 counties of southeastern Wisconsin. Its goal is to raise pledges totaling $150 million for needs in our parishes, helping the poor, and providing new and strengthened Catholic ministries across the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
  
  2. Which parishes are participating in the Love One Another Campaign and how will they participate?
  All 188 parishes are taking part in four parish “waves” from summer 2021 to mid-2023. Parishes will conduct their own Love One Another Campaign efforts, supported by a campaign team.
  
  3. Why is now the right time for the Love One Another Campaign?
  Love One Another was paused during the pandemic to focus on the needs of our parish communities. The needs addressed by Love One Another continue, and we are now able to return our focus to the campaign.
  
  4. How will Love one Another strengthen parishes?
  Sixty percent (60%) of the funds raised, $90 million of the overall campaign goal, will fund local parish needs identified by pastors, parish directors, and parish leadership.
  
  5. How are parish goals set?
  Parish goals are 140 percent of parish offertory for the 2019 fiscal year. The goals are not assessments.
  
  6. How will campaign funds be allocated?
  Sixty percent (60%) of pledges made and fulfilled by families in a parish will be used for the parish's stated needs. The remaining funds will be distributed based on the percentages allocated to each Catholic ministry in the campaign case statement.
  
  7. Who will be asked to participate?
  Every individual and family in the Archdiocese will be asked to prayerfully consider making their best campaign pledge.
  
  8. How will campaign funds be administered?
  A trust has been established for the sole purpose of receiving and disbursing funds raised through the Love One Another campaign for the uses and purposes set forth in the campaign and no other purposes.
  
  9. Besides pledging, in what ways can people help the campaign?
  All are asked to pray for the success of the Love One Another Campaign and for the parishes and ministries it serves. Also, every parish needs volunteers to help carry out the campaign. Please contact your parish office to volunteer.
- Giving
  Giving
  
  1. Why emphasize pledges?
  Pledges are payable over 5 years to allow individuals and families to fulfill their generosity over time and eliminate what might be a burden to give all at once.
  
  2. Why does my pledge request letter ask for a specific amount?
  A pledge amount is suggested to help your parish reach its goal. Prayerful consideration should be given to making a pledge in proportion to one's blessings. Every pledge is important and appreciated.
  
  3. Why are donors asked to complete and sign pledge cards; are they legally binding?
  A pledge to the Love One Another Campaign is a promise to do one’s best to give as stated on the pledge card. A signed pledge card is not legally binding and should a donor’s finances change a pledge can be adjusted accordingly.
  
  4. How are pledge payments made?
  Donors may choose to fulfill their campaign pledge with monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual payments by check, credit card, automatic bank withdrawal, or qualified IRA distributions (age 70.5 or above). The Archdiocese will process each gift and provide gift acknowledgments and tax letters.
  
  5. Are gifts to the campaign tax-deductible?
  Gifts to the Love One Another Campaign are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please consult your tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
  
  6. Are gifts of stock or other non-cash gifts accepted?
  Yes. The Love One Another Campaign accepts gifts of stock, and some non-cash gifts. Please contact Bob Pfundstein at 414-769-3583 or pfundsteinb@archmil.org for more information.
- Other
  Other
  
  1. Is the Catholic Stewardship Appeal taking place during the campaign?
  Yes, the Catholic Stewardship Appeal will continue to be conducted annually. The Catholic Stewardship Appeal provides for the operational needs of the Archdiocesan Church on a year-to-year basis. The Love One Another Campaign is to meet extraordinary current and future needs of the greater southeastern Wisconsin Catholic community.
  
  2. What became of the proceeds from the Faith In Our Future campaign?
  $83 million was collected from pledges. $46 million addressed individual parish needs. $11 million was disbursed in grants in support of the Faith In Our Future Trust initiatives. The remainder is in a designated Trust specially created for long term use. Full details can be found on the Trust website www.faithinourfuture.org.
- Have specific questions?
  
  Please reach out to Jane Bartlett, Director of Finance, in the parish office at bartlettj@lumenchristiparish.org.

Love One Another: The Catholic Campaign

Parish Goal: $3,243,234 Parish Share: $1,945,941

Parish Goal: $3,243,234
Parish Share: $1,945,941