Our three-and-a-half-year partnership with the Diocese of La Crosse has produced much fruit. The generosity amongst the Catholic faithful continues to help grow and care for our beloved Church!
The Inspired by the Spirit Campaign effort in the Diocese of La Crosse was a great success! This all-parish campaign reached 144% of its intended goal of $40 million. With over $57.6 million raised, the 156 parishes of the Diocese will receive more than $36 million towards restoration, renovation, new construction, and debt reduction projects which are desperately needed. This is $10 million raised above the original intended goal for the parishes!
A bright new day for the people of the Diocese as they celebrate this success with the creation of the Catholic Foundation of West Central Wisconsin, the restoration of Christ the King Chapel, the updating of the Holy Cross Diocesan Center, and so much more.
This most recent success was built upon our previous projects within the Diocese. First, the Reunite, Rebuild, Rejoice pandemic offertory recovery appeal in 2020 resulted in an immediate infusion of $603,000 and a 15% overall offertory increase for participating parishes. This appeal buoyed parishes through an unprecedented time of uncertainty.
Then, in 2021, the Christ Our Cornerstone Campaign for the restoration of St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral launched despite the challenges of COVID-19.
For two years prior, pieces of stone could be seen falling off the façade of the Cathedral. The spire, which boasts the highest point in the city of La Crosse, was in desperate need of repair and restoration. Through the leadership of Bishop Callahan, former Bishop of La Crosse, and Msgr. Gilles, Rector of St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral, the Christ Our Cornerstone Campaign effort was undertaken in order to raise $6 million to restore the Cathedral.
In partnership with LDA, a customized, three-pronged approach was engaged. Not only were the parishioners of the Cathedral parish invited to participate, but so were their sisters and brothers throughout the Diocese, as well as the members of the Diocesan clergy. All were invited to come together as a family to restore their Mother Church. The response was tremendous with over 6.3 million dollars raised!
The Christ Our Cornerstone Campaign effort brought the people of the Diocese of La Crosse together in a challenging time as a great example of Catholic generosity and commitment despite the challenges we face.
And, finally, the Inspired by the Spirit all-parish campaign effort which far exceeded all expectations. These three programs, in a little over three years, have raised more than $63 million during one of the most challenging and tumultuous periods of the last century!