Pilot parishes top goals for ‘Re-Igniting Our Faith’

By Kate Blain
Editor Evangelist

“This is a different kind of campaign,” remarked Rev. Donald Czelusniak.

Father Czelusniak, pastor of Holy Spirit parish in Glovers­ville and Holy Trinity in Johns­town, was referring to the Albany Diocese’s “Re-Igniting Our Faith” campaign that’s now underway in a sampling of parishes.

With the goal of raising $45 million by 2019, the campaign splits the money pledged by Catholics all over the Diocese 70/30, with 70 percent of the funds remaining at the parish level. The rest will support diocesan needs related to Catholic schools, faith formation, evangelization, vocations and retired priests.

Re-Igniting Our Faith is also a campaign focused on evangelization. Each parish creates a “case” that lists its needs and concerns, from maintenance of buildings to community outreach, and asks parishioners to look at what they can do to help ensure the future of the parish and the larger Church.

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger has spoken of a “larger vision of growing and enhancing our Catholic community of faith for current and future generations.”

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