Home Campaign enters home stretch as Wave 3 gets underway

By Jim Wogan

Diocesan parishioners have heard a lot about the 2016 Bishop’s Appeal in recent weeks. But for many parishes around the diocese the Home Campaign is getting equal attention.

While the annual Bishop’s Appeal supports the lives of thousands of people each day through essential ministries, the Home Campaign remains an opportunity to meet future needs in the Diocese of Knoxville through charity, education, Christian formation, priest retirement, and parish projects.

Bishop Richard F. Stika explains it this way: Bishop’s Appeal contributions “help us live” while Home Campaign gifts “help us grow.”

The Home Campaign started in late 2014 with four of the largest diocesan “pilot” parishes leading the way —All Saints and Sacred Heart Cathedral in Knoxville, St. John Neumann in Farragut, and the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga.

The four “pilot” parishes raised just over $15 million, with each parish surpassing its projected Home Campaign goals.

In early 2015, 14 more diocesan parishes followed in “Wave 1” of the Home Campaign and raised nearly $5.5 million. Collectively the parishes surpassed the “Wave 1” goal of just over $5.2 million. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta in Maynardville, Holy Ghost in Knoxville, St. Bridget in Dayton, St. Francis of Assisi in Fairfield Glade, St. Michael the Archangel in Erwin, and St. Patrick in Morristown eclipsed their individual parish goals.

In late 2015, 17 additional diocesan parishes followed in “Wave 2” of the Home Campaign and raised more than $7.2 million, with five parishes (Holy Family, Seymour; Our Lady of Lourdes, South Pittsburg; St. Catherine Labouré, Copperhill; St. Joseph the Worker, Madisonville; and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Cleveland) outpacing their individual parish goals.

The third “Wave” of the Home Campaign began in early 2016 for the 17 remaining parishes in the Diocese of Knoxville. Information meetings and town halls have allowed pastors to gain insight into parish needs and funding for potential projects. Parishioners will be made aware of individual parish goals by their pastors.

The “Wave 3” parishes are expected to have their campaigns wrapped up by July. ■

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