-"We Remember. . .We Celebrate. . .We Believe" Campaign-

We need your pledge of financial support for our Family Life Center to become a reality.  Sacrificial giving requires thoughtful contemplation, reflection and prayer.  Reaching our goal of $2.5 million requires gifts of sacrifice rather than convenience.  With God's help and your generosity, we will succeed.

Q.

Why are families asked for PLEDGES? 

We are suggesting pledges instead of one-time gifts because a pledge allows a family to make a larger contribution over a longer period of time. We cannot expect to reach our goal of $2,500,000 with out-of-pocket, one-time donations.  Pledging allows you to give what you truly believe to be a thoughtful, generous, and proportionate investment rather than just what you can spare at the moment.  Pledging permits making larger gifts by spreading out the payment over a three to four-year period.  The amount of your pledge is more important than the time frame in which it is paid!  Of course, we are grateful for all sacrifices, whether they are pledges or one-time gifts.  Our most important goal is 100% participation from our families!

What happens if my finances change, and I am unable to complete my pledge?  Will my family be held responsible?

A pledge is not legally binding.  It is merely a statement of your intentions.  If situations arise causing financial hardship, you will always have the ability to amend your pledge and your family will not be held responsible for a pledge that you have made.

What happens if we do not reach our goal of $2.5 million?

We will know by the completion of the Campaign in June, if the goal has been reached. Our goal in this Campaign is to raise $2,500,000 to provide the capabilities described at the Campaign Receptions and in the Campaign Brochure.  This is more than 4 times the annual offertory contribution to St. Michael Parish.  While we realize our goal is an aggressive one, we are confident that the community of St. Michael Parish will respond.  Should we fall short of our goal, St. Michael Parish would have the option to take out a mortgage.  This is nothing new to St. Michael's as we had previously taken out a mortgage to build the Church as well as the Parish Center .

Is this Campaign being run in addition to the Annual Bishop's Appeal this year?

An important part of the St. Michael Campaign is the “Today's Sacrifice…Tomorrow's Church” Diocesan Campaign for the Diocese of Youngstown.  As most people may already know, the Diocese of Youngstown is currently running a Campaign for $34 million and every parish was required to participate, as a member of the Diocese.  Therefore, for the year 2005 the Bishop's Appeal is included in the Diocesan Campaign.  However, in 2006 it will return to every parish, and parishioners of St. Michael's will be asked to participate then and in subsequent years.

How do I go about making a pledge of stock to the Campaign?

If you would like to make any part of your pledge to the Campaign through stock, please call the Campaign Office (330) 533-6839  x 10 and speak with Stephanie directly.  She will advise you as to the correct procedures to follow.  At this time, we ask only that you submit your pledge card with the name and number of shares that will be transferred, and an approximate value of the stock to be donated.

When will the first pledge payment be due?

	Monthly Pledge Payments will begin in July and will be due on the last day of each month.
	Semi-Annual Pledge Payments will be due in July and January.
	Quarterly Pledge Payments will be due in July, October, and January and April.
	Annual Pledge Payments will be due in December.

Note:  If you have already made your first pledge payment, this will adjust your next pledge payment date.  For example:  If you wish to pay your pledge annually and have already made your 2005 payment, then your next payment would be due July of 2006

Is it true that each family is expected to contribute the same amount to the campaign?

No.  This is not true.  Every gift is important to the success of the Campaign.  The success of the campaign is based on the premise that not everyone can make the same size gift, but everyone can make the same size sacrifice - a contribution that truly reflects their gratitude for their faith and a willingness to support the work of the St. Michael community.  Each family is asked to pray about and decide what that sacrifice is for their family

How long will this campaign run?

The active solicitation phase will run through the end of June 2005.  Redemption of pledges will be for three years, ending in June 30, 2008.  For some families that have opted for an extra year to complete their pledge, the campaign will run through June 30, 2009.

Please contact the Parish Office @ (330) 533-6839