Called to Renew

Called to Renew is a historic, five-year campaign to strengthen parishes, families, and communities through unity and action; together we commit to renewing what is important so we can pass it on to those who we love.

About

A Message of Hope

God created each of us out of love, and He created each of us for a special purpose. This is the beautiful message of Jesus Christ and his Gospel. In following him, we find the joy God intends for every person.

But we do not follow Jesus alone. We are joined together as sons and daughters in the family of God, the Church. And together in the Church, we carry on the mission of Jesus — sharing the good news of God’s love and mercy.

It is my great joy and privilege to follow Jesus Christ with you. As your Archbishop, I am humbled and inspired every day by your faith and dedication to our Lord, by the love you show to our families, and by the compassion you show to our neighbors most in need.

As we know, every family must plan and prepare for the future. This is also true of the family of God here in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. We are the largest and most diverse Catholic community in the United States, and we serve millions of people in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.

As our Church continues to grow, so do our needs and our responsibilities. This is why, after many months of research and reflection, consultation, and prayer, we have decided to embark on efforts to renew our Church. Our aim is to ensure our parishes, schools, and ministries continue to grow and are able to make critical investments to serve our children, families, and neighbors for years to come.

Our theme, Called to Renew, emphasizes my desire for this campaign to be both spiritual and material. I pray our efforts will inspire each of us to renew our spiritual commitment and sense of responsibility for the mission and future of the Church.

I ask for your prayers and support as we begin Called to Renew. Please know that you and your families are in mine.

May our Blessed Mother Mary, the Queen of the Angels, go with us as we call our brothers and sisters to renew the family of God here in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and continue the work of building God’s Kingdom of love in our world.

May God grant you peace,

Most Reverend José H. Gomez
Archbishop of Los Angeles

Created with a Purpose

We are created with a purpose, and Christ calls each of us to both follow Him faithfully and commit to renewing our families, parishes, and communities in hope. In this lifelong journey we discover the great joy of fully living the Gospel by committing to a life of prayer, service, and generosity. In following Christ, we discover our purpose to live fully alive in faith.

As a local Church, the people of God have a significant impact on their own communities and on society as a whole. Our parishes, schools and ministries serve hundreds of thousands of people in Southern California – both Catholic and those of other faiths. In joining together as a Church, we live our mission to bear witness to hope and transformation.

A Call for Renewal

With a growing need and costs for ministry increasing year over year, our parishes and ministries are being challenged to do more with less. From the urgent need of updating facilities to a desire for transformative programs, many struggle to respond to the challenges before them. This is especially true of those parishes with the most limited resources, often the only source of hope for the greater communities they serve.

After much research, prayer, and careful discernment, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will embark on a historic effort to respond through Called to Renew; a campaign to secure $500 million in transformative gifts that will give our local church both the much-needed flexibility to respond to critical social needs, and an investment for future generations. Without some measure of financial endowment, the Archdiocese is only able to react instead of planning and designing programs that proactively aid our parishes and Catholic ministries.

Campaign Prayer

God of love and God of life,
We thank You for your blessings.
Especially the gift of life and the gift of faith.
Father, give us wisdom and courage
and guide us as we call Your family
here in Los Angeles to renewal.
Help us to raise up a new generation of missionary disciples to proclaim the good news of Your mercy and to serve our
brothers and sisters in need.
Fill us with Your Spirit,
that we might call Your sons and daughters
to be priests and deacons and consecrated religious to dedicate their lives to You;
that we might call Your Church to bring healing
to the sick and love to the poor and those in prison; that we might call our young people
to seek Your beautiful plan for their lives.
Father, give us all new excitement to follow Jesus
and to serve You with all our hearts and all our strength. Increase our faith and give us confidence to offer You our gifts, our talents and our treasure --
that we might find our true treasure in heaven with You.
Trusting in the tender love of our Blessed Mother,
Queen of the Angels, we ask all this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

HOW TO GIVE

The campaign will roll out in parishes over the next several years. You will have the opportunity to get involved. Until then, we request your prayers of support!

Making a gift
Pledges payable over five years will allow donors to consider more substantial commitments than are possible with one-time gifts. Donors who pledge may determine payment schedules to meet their own charitable or tax needs. Payments can be made by check, credit card, e-checks, or gifts of stock. If you are able, please include an initial amount with your pledge.

To receive more information or to initiate a stock or IRA transfer, please contact Pam Kingsley, (805) 482 · 6417 x330
or pam@padreserra.org

Further questions?
If you have further questions about the campaign, please reach out to Pam Kingsley, (805) 482 · 6417 x330 or pam@padreserra.org . We look forward to speaking with you.

FAQ

General Questions

What is the Called to Renew campaign?
Called to Renew is a capital and endowment campaign raising a goal of $500 million to elevate parishes; strengthen ministerial outreach; support vocations and seminarian education; and provide additional funding for scholarships to Catholic schools, religious education, and college campus ministries.

Why is this campaign needed?
The campaign is an historic opportunity to boldly renew the ways in which we live out our faith as missionary disciples in our communities. At the center of this renewal are the parishes and missions that make up our Archdiocese, most of which were built more than 60 years ago. Improvements in facilities and technology will create more inviting environments for worship and community.

Why are we doing this campaign now?
We are the beneficiaries of the foresight and generosity of past generations who have helped to establish and build our parishes and schools over the past two centuries. It is time for renewal – and it is up to us to preserve and pass on what we have been blessed to inherit.

Which parishes are participating in the campaign?
All parishes, missions, and Catholic centers in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will participate in the campaign. Each has been assigned to a wave of activity and will campaign between July 2018 and June 2021.

Parish Benefits

How much money are parishes expected to raise?
Each parish has been given a target goal for the campaign. Parish goals are set at 130% of the 2017 offertory (fiscal year) as reported to the Archdiocese by the parish. The parish target goal is simply that – a goal for which to aim. We are confident that parish goals are within reach for most every parish. We ask the parishes to do their best and follow the campaign plan.

Are parish goals an assessment?
No, the campaign goal is not an assessment. All that we ask of each parish and pastor is to make a good faith effort to meet the goal. Assuming this is done, and the campaign plan is implemented, a parish will not be penalized.

How will my parish benefit from this campaign?
The primary goals of the campaign are to help parishes fulfill their mission to serve others and to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Fifty percent of every dollar raised at each parish will be returned to the parish for its own needs. Once the goal is reached, the parish will receive 100% of each dollar collected above goal. This is a tremendous opportunity for parishes to expand and strengthen their ministries and programs. Parishes will also receive additional funds for their respective deferred maintenance needs.

When will parishes begin to receive their share of funds?
The Archdiocese has set up parish investment accounts for monies received through the Called to Renew campaign. Parishes will receive their first distribution at the conclusion of their parish campaign. Parish funds will be distributed quarterly thereafter throughout the redemption period. Distributions will be based on cash collected will be deposited in special campaign Investment Pool accounts. Statements will be issued monthly and available on the ADLA Investment Pool website.

How will the campaign affect our parish offertory?
Offertory giving is expected to remain steady. We do not ask parishioners to diminish giving to their parish. Rather, we ask them to consider a gift to the campaign above and beyond their regular offertory giving. Every effort will be made to remind families of the importance of continuing to support their parish, as well as Together in Mission. In the long term, campaigns such as these have helped increase parish offertory giving. Parishioners are encouraged to continue to embrace stewardship as a way of life and strengthen their vision of what it is to be a member of the Church.

Why shouldn’t I give solely to my parish instead?
Parish stewardship and diocesan stewardship should not be either/or choices. No parish on its own can accomplish all its goals, and no diocese can succeed independent of its parishes. This collaboration allows the Catholic Church, as a whole, to accomplish the most that it possibly can in educational, charitable, and pastoral programs from each dollar contributed to both parish and diocesan appeals.

Giving to the Campaign

How is this campaign different from Together in Mission?
The simplest way to think about this is to define the church as a home. Together in Mission and the weekly parish offertory are used to pay ongoing critical operating expenses such as salaries, insurance, utilities, etc., while campaign funds go towards larger periodic or one-time needs such as putting a new roof on the church, repaving the parking lot, or painting the exterior of the rectory. A recent facilities study confirmed that Archdiocesan parishes and schools require nearly $350 million in deferred maintenance needs.

How much should I give to the campaign?
Families are asked to prayerfully consider making a five-year commitment over and above their regular offertory giving. It is our hope that every family will make a pledge to the campaign. We realize that everyone cannot pledge the same amount because we all have different financial circumstances. Therefore, we are seeking equal sacrifices rather than equal gifts. We ask that each family contribute a sacrificial gift that is meaningful to them.

Why are pledges encouraged instead of one-time donations?
Pledge commitments over five years allow families to make more sacrificial gifts than they might otherwise be capable of making with a one-time gift. A larger contribution is easier to pay off over a period of time rather than out of pocket. Please note that pledges are not legally binding contracts, but rather a statement of what you intend to do.

Is a 10% initial payment required?
No, but it is encouraged. The campaign seeks to raise funds for several capital projects. Parishes cannot start addressing capital needs until money is collected. Making an initial payment of 10% will help the Archdiocese and parishes to begin projects and repairs sooner. Also, an initial payment of any amount demonstrates your commitment to fulfilling your pledge.

How will pledges be collected?
The Archdiocese has contracted with a vendor to receive payments and pledges, and will manage the redemption of gifts. The vendor will track pledges and gifts, and handle the payment reminders over the designated five-year pledge period. E-checks and credit/debit card payments are also accepted and encouraged.

Can I pay my pledge with an e-check or by credit/debit card?
Yes. We encourage payments by E-check or credit/debit card. Using one of these payment methods saves significantly in postage over the five-year redemption period.

Do you accept other methods of payment?
Called to Renew seeks to raise $500 million over a five-year period. To make fulfillment of pledges as easy as possible, we are accepting many forms of payment including, but not limited to: stock donations, IRA distributions, and corporate matching gifts. We will also accept bequests and other planned giving vehicles within guidelines. If you are interested in any of these, please indicate your preferred giving method on the pledge card and a campaign representative will follow up with you.

What is CCF-LA and how does it work?
The Catholic Community Foundation of Los Angeles (CCF-LA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that provides professional philanthropic services to individuals and charitable organizations. Those with a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) may recommend grants from their DAF be directed to the Archdiocese to fulfill a Called to Renew campaign gift.

Can I make a matching gift with my employer?
Yes, many corporations endeavor to match the charitable contributions of employees. Please contact your company’s human resources professional to determine if your company has a matching gift program.

What if a donor is unable to fulfill a commitment to the campaign?
Donors are asked to sign pledge cards to indicate they have agreed to the terms of the gift. Pledges to Called to Renew are not legally binding.
If your situation changes and you need to adjust your pledge amount or payment options, we ask that you contact (805) 482 · 6417 x330 or pam@padreserra.org. We look forward to speaking with you. There are several options available to modify your pledge to accommodate your new circumstances.

Accountability & Transparency

Will any of these funds be used for items other than the established case elements?
Absolutely not. The Archdiocese has both a legal and moral obligation to restrict these funds for the manner in which they are intended. The funds raised for the campaign will be used exclusively for the defined case elements. All gifts to the campaign are legally protected.

Will there be full reporting of the Campaign?
Yes. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles will issue an annual audited financial report that will be available online.

What is the cost of a campaign of this magnitude?
The estimated cost of this campaign relative to the financial goal is approximately five percent. The cost includes, but is not limited to: professional fundraising counsel, design and printing of marketing materials, video production, database management, gift acknowledgment and pledge fulfillment for all 303 parishes, missions and Catholic Centers in our Archdiocese. Campaign costs will be paid from the Archdiocesan portion of the campaign and are within industry standards for a campaign of this magnitude.

Our community is working hard alongside all parishes, missions and Catholic centers in the Archdiocese to strengthen and renew our Church for the future. Please continue reading to learn how this campaign will benefit us.

Letter From Fr. Patrick

Dear Friends in Christ,
Padre Serra Parish has never stopped dreaming, growing, or caring for others.

Jesus summons us to care deeply and tangibly for each other, because we belong to each other. He also commissions us, in proclaiming the Good News, to take our place in the larger world, joining with Him to build the Kingdom.

Through Called to Renew, we are being asked to make a difference in the lives of youth, in the continued growth of our music ministries, and in providing for those with inadequate resources for their needs.

The transition from a child’s faith to an adult’s has proven very fragile. Young people often become unmoored from the practice of their faith in the later teen years and early twenties. We need entirely new, impactful approaches to care for them. We have to do substantially more.

Our three choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists vie for space with children’s faith formation, youth ministry, and our Sunday morning pre-liturgy gathering time. With the expansion of the Capistrano rooms, which are dedicated to youth ministry, our choirs require a different learning space, free of distraction, so they may continue to be wonderful worship leaders for our parish.

We have one of the most beautiful campuses in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. While we continue to expand our community, we must also assist the seminary, students in universities, the proclamation of the faith beyond our parish reach, and parishes with limited resources.

I am so grateful to you for your continued generosity throughout our years together. You know I find fundraising difficult, yet I believe in what Called to Renew will do for our parish, and fully support the Archdiocese’s efforts to expand its ministry. Please, take a leap with me and make a sacrifice that will make a beautiful difference for us here, and for the five million brothers and sisters who live alongside us in our Archdiocese. Siempre adelante.

Peace in Christ,
Fr. Patrick Mullen

Our Parish Goal

$4,000,000

Amount Raised

$2,839,662

Padre Serra has raised $850,000 to assist other parishes and is currently raising $3,150,000 to fund our youth center, choir room and youth ministry and liturgy offices

Percent of Goal Rasied