Centennial Campaign success stories
By Renee Webb, Globe associate editor
Posted March 21, 2002

Progress continues with the Diocese of Sioux City's Centennial Campaign for Excellence as parishes are working toward their goals.

"We are extremely pleased with the early support for the Centennial Campaign," said Jim Steier, president of the Steier Group and manager of the effort. "The parishes that have positive support from their pastors and strong leadership teams are beginning to approach or surpass their goals."

He announced that St. Mary Church in Everly and St. Louis Church in Royal, led by Father Tim Fitzgerald, were the first parishes to surpass their goal.

"I was really impressed that we did as well as we did," said Father Fitzgerald. St. Louis hit its goal first and St. Mary's followed shortly thereafter. "I pushed it pretty hard. I spoke about it at Mass three weekends and we showed the video at all of the Masses."

Steier also pointed out that Sacred Heart Church in Manilla is nearing its target. It has received $69,000 in pledges toward a $77,000 goal with about 70 percent of parishioners contacted. In the major gifts phase of the campaign, parishioners gave another $12,500.

Father Robert Gralapp, pastor, said he was both surprised and overwhelmed by the support of his people and the positive responses.

With the aid of 15 volunteers, the majority of the people were contacted in a town hall manner following Masses. Sacred Heart did this on two weekends.

"It went really quick and it worked," said Father Gralapp.

Prior to the town hall meetings the pastor had addressed the campaign during Mass and they had viewed the video. People who have not made a pledge will be contacted via personal home visits.

"I told them that this was an endowment that would benefit the diocese forever," he said. The pastor also stressed the availability of fulfilling the pledge over five years rather than coming up with a one-time gift.

Father Fitzgerald also set an example of good stewardship. He told his parishioners about his own contribution of the requested gift.

The pastor noted that his parishioners appreciated being able to direct the money to the endowment funds that they valued.

The $20 million capital campaign will be used to establish the following endowments: $2 million for multi-cultural ministries; $3 million for adult formation, religious education and youth ministry; $4.5 million for Catholic Charities and $10.5 million for Catholic schools.

"I think it is really important that we have endowments set up for the different ministries because all of them affect us as a diocese. Even though it is a diocesan campaign, it will still benefit the parishes in many different ways," he said.

He cited the possibility of securing resources from the diocese to aid them in training their parish catechists.

After hearing the message of Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo, they better understood the importance of the diocese's need to provide a just wage to teachers and to cultivate the multi-cultural ministry.

Father Fitzgerald and his parishioners would love to see the services of Catholic Charities expand to every deanery.

While the pastor was somewhat surprised by the early success, he always believed they would reach their goal.

Like the Manilla parish, those in Everly and Royal utilized the town hall meeting format and then followed up with personal visits.

Steier said he was grateful for the enthusiasm displayed by Father Gralapp and Father Fitzgerald.

"Their support for the campaign was passed on to their parish families, who have chosen to generously contribute to the Centennial Campaign."