Despite the challenging economy, the Archdiocese of Detroit launched a campaign last Tuesday to raise $135 million over the next five years, with Archbishop of Detroit Allen Vigneron making the announcement at Holy Cross Church in Marine City.
“My first thought was, he’s crazy, because these are tough times,” said Rev. Robert Schuster, pastor at Our Lady on the River Parish, which includes Holy Cross.
“But as I thought more, prayed and listened, it occurred to me this was a great opportunity to do some really wonderful work.”
Seventy percent of the funds raised will go to parishes.
The remaining 30% will go to Catholic families for tuition assistance for Catholic schools, parish-based ministries in the city of Detroit, the training of priests, deacons, and lay ministers and to cover campaign costs.
Vigneron called upon parish leaders to “invest themselves in the program,” officials said.
Rev. Schuster said that “I know things are difficult” financially for many, but: “Jesus asks us to follow him not just when it’s easy and convenient, but when it’s difficult.”
At his parish, Schuster said they would use any funds raised for their youth ministry, Catholic tuition assistance, a food pantry, and to fix the roof and parking lot. They’re hoping to raise $800,000 for the parish’s three churches.
The fund-raising campaign comes as the Archdiocese faces financial challenges and as Catholics increasingly move away from the center of Detroit.
The decision to make the announcement in Marine City, an hour’s drive from where the Church’s headquarters is located in downtown Detroit, reflects its increasing emphasis on the suburbs.
“There’s no sense of desperation from the Archbishop about this,” Schuster said.
“God calls us to be his disciples. And one of the ways we demonstrate that is by being good financial stewards.”