More parishes hit goal in Centennial Campaign
By DANIEL F. DeLONG
Globe editor
Posted May 2, 2002

LAURENS - Msgr. L.M. Ziegmann, pastor of the Sacred Heart Church here, decided that the easiest way to tackle the task of filling his parish's goal for the Centennial Campaign for Excellence was the direct route.

"I took out a dollar bill and waved it in front of parishioners," Msgr. Ziegmann said, "telling them how little that is."

He said most of the parishioners giggled at first, but then got the message.

"What can you buy with a dollar these days?" the priest said. "And it worked."

Sacred Heart easily topped its goal in three shorts weeks after Msgr. Ziegmann's direct approach.

He said a dollar a day is only $365 a year, or $1,825 for the five-year commitment that parishioners are making.

"I think that if you make it easy to understand most people will move quickly to help," Msgr. Ziegmann said.

There are a number of success stories in the diocese. What makes the story for Sacred Heart Laurens especially interesting is that it is among the second bloc of parishes to be contacted, which means the parishioners moved quickly.

"It only took three Sundays in April," Msgr. Ziegmann said.

Another second bloc parish that reached its goal quickly is Holy Name of Rock Rapids.

Father J. Charles Yetmar, pastor of Holy Name, said his parishioners immediately understood the situation and gave generously.

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.

"We are very grateful and enthused with the response we have from all parts of the diocese," said Jim Wharton, director of stewardship and planning giving.

"The Centennial Campaign for Excellence is gaining momentum and we continue to pray that all parishioners will lend their support to this crucial initiative."