The tragedy of September 11 and its aftermath makes this a difficult time for all of us. Our Catholic faith, once again, has proven to be a strong support and inspiration to each of us and a guiding light for Catholics throughout the world. When confusion, fear, and even anger invade our hearts, we instinctively turn to prayer. It was awesome to witness the crowds gather at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, for example, on September 15. Thousands seeking comfort and strength, non-Catholics among them, crowded into the Cathedral and spilled outside into the plaza. As so often in the past, once again, the Cathedral became a haven of faith and gave comfort to a badly shaken community.

At this somber moment in our history, I urge us all to reflect on the many blessings God has bestowed on us and to continue to pray for our country, our president, our soldiers, for an end to terrorism, and for peace and justice. We are called as disciples to help build the Kingdom of God. We cannot personally achieve as much as we would like on the world level. But we can redouble our efforts here in the diocese.

The Kingdom’s upbuilding needs to be a conscientious responsibility accepted by each of us. Mutual charity and Christian stewardship are a solid foundation that helps us carry on God’s work today, and on into the future. To that end, after study, consultation and prayer, we have embarked upon a diocesan capital campaign to raise $50 million to meet the needs of the Church of Northern California. This Preserving Our Past…Building Our Future campaign is an important part of a comprehensive diocesan plan for fiscal responsibility, stewardship, and pastoral planning. By raising funds now, we will be able to meet present needs and better plan for our Church’s future. Just as we are the beneficiaries of what past generations have left to us, we must adequately meet the growing needs of the present and leave a legacy for generations yet to come.

Jesus taught us how we should care for one another: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me...” (Mt. 25:35)

We have an impressive network of charitable services for those less fortunate throughout the diocese. To help them is part of our mission and we need to do even more. Therefore, we will establish a $2 million endowment for social service ministry. The endowment will help stabilize charitable programs and modestly expand our ability to help more people. In addition, the Sacramento Food Bank Services will receive $2 million to construct two long-needed facilities in Del Paso Heights and North Sacramento: a food distribution center and a community learning center, which will include a Mother-Baby Program. An additional $1 million will replace the Diocesan Stewardship Appeal in 2002.

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament continues to be the Mother Church of the diocese. It is the most striking symbol of our Catholic presence and strength in Sacramento and the 20 counties of our diocese. While we are members of our own parishes, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament belongs to all the people of the diocese, and they to it. It is the seat of the Diocesan Bishop, who is the bond of communion amongst our 500,000 Catholics in 98 parishes. Our ancestors sacrificed to build the cathedral. After 112 years, it is our turn to strengthen its structural integrity, to restore its former beauty and to preserve this treasure for future generations.

A thorough assessment of the Cathedral was conducted in 1997 which addressed seismic and structural issues, water intrusion, functional elements, artistic enhancement and some liturgical needs. A certain urgency surrounds the seismic and structural issues. The Preserving Our Past…Building Our Future campaign will provide $10 million toward the most significant and holistic restoration of the Cathedral since its dedication in 1889.

Passing on our Catholic faith to 17,668 students in 56 Catholic schools, both elementary and secondary, throughout our diocese is a high priority of the Church. Our Catholic schools provide young people with an excellent education in a context of Christian community. Religious formation and important spiritual values are central to their daily routine. Catholic schools are an integral part of our rich heritage and future.

• The Preserving Our Past…Building Our Future campaign will augment the diocesan scholarship fund dramatically by creating an endowment of $5 million for elementary and secondary need-based scholarships.

• St. Francis Catholic High School in Sacramento will receive $5 million toward a much-needed expansion project. Some $2.5 million will go to our new Bishop Quinn Catholic High School in Redding.

• As Northern California grows, greater pressure will be put on our Catholic schools. The campaign will allocate $1.5 million to “seed” a building fund for new high schools in the future.

• As a result of energetic diocesan Vocation efforts, we currently have 51 young men studying for the priesthood. The Preserving Our Past…Building Our Future campaign will increase by $1 million the endowment which helps us meet the growing financial cost of educating future priests.

• The establishment of an endowment of $1 million will enable us to offer scholarship assistance for the training of lay ministers, such as Parish Coordinators, Directors of Religious Education, Youth Ministers, and religion teachers.

Catholics generally are grateful for the ministry they receive from priests throughout their lives. The priesthood is a true gift. Our priests provide spiritual leadership to our parishes, schools, institutions, charitable ministries, and much more. They are the ministers to us of the Eucharist and the sacraments of the Church, which are central to our life in Christ. They assist me, as your bishop, in continuing Christ’s teaching, sanctifying, and shepherding in our day. They give a lifetime of devotion, sacrifice and service. In gratitude, we need to secure the well-being of their declining years by providing for their basic retirement needs.

• A $5 million contribution to the Priests Retirement Trust will bring it to be fully funded and enable the trust to cover the growing number of retired priests, as well as provide an annual cost of living adjustment to the monthly benefits.

• The diocese will construct a retirement village for retired priests who would prefer to live in community with other retired priests. This $2 million project will be built on land already owned by the diocese adjacent to Christ the King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights. It will include up to 24 independent living units, while also providing elements of community living.

Finally, $12 million will be allocated for important projects and development needs of the individual parishes. These may include building expansion, repairs and renovations, debt reduction, endowments, or a base of funding for a variety of parish ministries.

The Preserving Our Past…Building Our Future campaign is one of the most ambitious undertakings in the history of the Diocese of Sacramento. At the beginning of a new century, let us take stock of the many blessings that God has given us. Recognizing that all of our material goods are a gift from God, let us respond to the Gospel call to practice Christian stewardship, giving back a portion of these gifts in thanksgiving for God’s goodness to us.

I ask all Catholics of our diocese to prepare to make a truly sacrificial gift to this campaign; a gift from your substance, not just from your surplus—from the top, not from what is left over. I ask that you make a gift which truly expresses your faith and commitment to Christ. By returning today a fitting portion of God’s gifts, you will be doing your part to build up the Kingdom of God. You will affect the lives of thousands of people you may never know. Your gift to the Church will continue to bear fruit for years to come.

I thank God for all of you, for what each of you has done for the Church in the past, and for what you will continue to do in the future. God bless you.

Copyright © 2001 Diocese of Sacramento - All Rights Reserved

[Catholic Herald - Cover Page]