Despite challenges, Legacy gives hope

By The Catholic Free Press

We sat down with Bishop McManus and Jose DeJesus of Guidance in Giving to reflect on how the Legacy of Hope Capital Campaign is going, given that the campaign concludes at the end of 2021. (Pledge payments will continue through 2025, in some cases.)

■ The Legacy of Hope campaign began with a vision you and other pastors, clergy and lay people outlined for the Diocese of Worcester. Are you happy with the results of Legacy of Hope so far throughout the Diocese of Worcester?

Bishop McManus: Legacy of Hope was first about sharing a vision for the future for our parishes and our diocese by raising awareness of specific needs, including evangelization and outreach, to priests’ retirement. People have responded generously in support of the future of our Church. The fact that we are coming close to our goal during a prolonged pandemic which turned everyone’s lives upside down is nothing short of amazing.

Jose DeJesus: No one wakes up on Monday and says to themselves, “Today is a great day to raise millions of dollars alone.” It takes a team of people to help discern the needs, another team to go out and see if there is moral and financial support for this vision, and finally a team to help raise the funds necessary to help bring that vision to fruition. Parishioners around the diocese have overwhelmingly supported Legacy of Hope and we are happy to have had a part in this success.


■ What have been some high points and surprises?

Bishop McManus: As I went out to receptions all around the diocese, I just think it was edifying to see the response from our parishioners. There was a good spirit in wanting to know more about the need for a diocesan capital campaign and their generosity was seen all around the diocese.

Jose DeJesus: Even at the end of the first year of COVID, parishes could only hold receptions in our churches because of the social distancing rules. I can remember one cold night at St. Joan of Arc where the church was freezing because we wanted windows open to keep air circulating. I mentioned to Father (Nelson J.) Rivera, the pastor at the time, that there might not be many people coming to the fundraising event. I was glad to be wrong. The reception was filled with parishioners bundled up with hats and gloves and their resolve helped to put that diverse community over their campaign target.


■ Jose, given your experiences in other dioceses around the country, what have been some of the challenges we faced here, and how did you overcome them?

Jose DeJesus: COVID forced us to become even more creative with how we communicated the message of Legacy of Hope to parishioners. We first had to help parishes determine their digital outreach to parishioners and help them to strengthen that outreach with tools the diocese provides like Flock–
note, streamlining their web pages and using social media like Facebook and YouTube. We were thrust into using platforms such as Zoom to help bring people into our receptions. These are powerful tools that can now serve our parishes in other ways.


■ The Legacy of Hope campaign aims to raise $32 million and right now it is at $29.2 million for the diocesan-wide campaign. Are you still hopeful of reaching that goal?

Bishop McManus: I am more than hopeful; I have faith that what the Lord has started, his people will bring to fruition. Remember, the campaign is not over. We have a small group of parishes still actively raising money in the final block. There are also a group of parishes involved in a renewal to help promote Legacy of Hope until the end of this year. There are still some gifts out there that I have solicited and are still being discerned by potential donors. Finally, Legacy of Hope is a four-year campaign that will end in 2025 for some who are beginning their pledge now.


■ What are some of the things that Legacy of Hope has taught you and taught the diocesan
family?

Bishop McManus: I believe that Legacy of Hope has reminded us of the value of bringing people together around the table to discuss our future as local communities of faith. This is what the receptions did for our parishes. And each parish had to determine how they would utilize their 40 percent share of the funds raised. When people are involved in the process, they have a voice which translates into more support. Pastors and administrators cannot lead our parishes alone; the parish’s future is ultimately in the hands of its parishioners working with those pastors.
■ How has the diocese begun to honor some of the promises made to the donors and parishes involved with Legacy of Hope?

Bishop McManus: Within months of having completed their parish campaign, those parishes started seeing their parish share from fulfilled pledges. This has allowed many of our parishes to begin to address their local case. I believe this has also motivated donors to continue to honor their pledges. Currently, we have sent over $4.4 million to our parishes, and we will honor that promise until every parish community has received their share of redeemed pledges and gifts.
The endowment fund for retired priests was set up by my predecessor, Bishop Reilly, during the last major capital campaign 20 years ago. Legacy of Hope seeks to add $12 million to that endowment, in order that it may generate sufficient earnings to help support our retired priests in thanks for their lifetime of service to our parishes.
Lastly, I simply want to say thank you. Thank you to all that have so generously given of their time, talents, and financial resources to help make Legacy of Hope so successful. I feel confident that when it’s all over we will all be grateful for having accomplished so much, despite many challenges.


PHOTO: The new steps on the rectory at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Baldwinville, were made possible by Legacy of Hope donations from parishioners. Father Francis A. Roberge, pastor, calls these the most famous steps in the diocese, because their rickety predecessors were featured in a Legacy of Hope video. Other parish projects that have been completed with LOH funding are new lighting in the church and a flagpole outside to honor the town’s veterans. LOH money is also being used to pay the parish’s monthly bills to the diocese for such requirements as insurance, and to pay off the debt accrued when the parish couldn’t pay these bills. Next spring LOH money is to be used to repair damage to the church’s gutters and to sandblast and repaint the rectory, Father Roberge said. (Photo by Tanya Connor | CFP)


See the Legacy of Hope parish listing