Twenty-six parishes in the diocese recently received checks totaling $172,559.11 in the final distribution to parishes from the Harvest of Thanks, Springtime of Hope Campaign.

The Harvest of Thanks, Springtime of Hope Campaign was held in conjunction with Jubilee 2003, the year-long celebration of the 150th anniversary of the diocese. Under the leadership of Bishop George J. Lucas, over 2,000 volunteers made personal visits to Catholic households to achieve the $24 million goal in pledges.

{mosimage}One of the campaign's major allocations was parish sharing that returned 10 percent of funds raised to parishes for local needs. In addition, parishes received 50 percent of any funds raised over the parish goal.

Final distribution of parish sharing funds was made Aug. 17 as the diocese closed the books on the campaign after completion of the fifth pledge year. Since the campaign began in January 2002, over $2.8 million has been returned to parishes - well over the $2.4 million originally estimated at the beginning of the campaign.

Several parishes report they have used the parish sharing distributions for debt reduction.

At Immaculate Conception in Shelbyville, the parish built a new church seven years ago and incurred over $1 million in debt. Parish secretary Kathy Clark said that when the parish allocation check came in each year, the money was applied to one of the sizable monthly payments.

"It was a big help," said Father Donald Wolford, pastor. "Anything that could help reduce the debt was greatly appreciated.

Other parishes have found that parish sharing checks have allowed them to complete projects without depleting parish general funds. For instance, Sacred Heart Parish, Villa Grove, replaced the roofing on the church and fixed the church's air conditioning system.

"The parish probably would have been able to cover it," said Father Paul Skelton, parochial administrator, "but the parish allocation was a significant help. We didn't have to dig into our working capital too much."

Father Skelton said the extra cash was "very much appreciated."

"Of course, the reason we had the money was that our parishioners were able to meet our parish goal for the campaign. They contribute very generously," he said.

At Springfield's St. Frances Cabrini, parish sharing funds were used to sustain the parish's commitment to Catholic education, according to parish secretary Kitty Bedolli.

"When the parish school closed, St. Cabrini offered our parents the option of sending their children to neighboring parish schools," Bedolli said. "St. Cabrini pays the parish portion of the cost so that tuition is the same as if they were parishioners at the other parish."

Bedolli said St. Cabrini provided the equivalent of the parish per-student subsidy for nine students the first year. During the current school year, four children from St. Cabrini are enrolled at either St. Joseph School or St. Aloysius School on Springfield's north side. Parish sharing money, along with income from a parish education endowment plus some parish fund-raising, provides the funds to pay the student subsidy to the neighboring parishes.

"It helps our parents because it keeps tuition in line," Bedolli said.

Supporting education was also the focus at St. Augustine Parish in Ashland, according to Msgr. Patrick Wright, parochial administrator.

"When the checks came in we divided them up among kids from the parish who might need help with a college education," Msgr. Wright said. "It's a way to help some of our poorer parishioners and a way to give a hand to kids who are deserving but don't have the wherewithal. It gives them a break."

Msgr. Wright said a committee will meet in the next couple of months to disburse the funds from the recent allocation check.

At least one parish used its parish sharing check in a very concrete way - literally. At St. Clare in Altamont, the parish improved its handicapped parking.

"At the back of the church close to the elevator, we poured concrete for three handicapped parking places," said Father John Savoree, parochial administrator. "We're also going to work on a dangerous ‘bump' where the parish garage connects with the sidewalk."

Father Savoree said that with the arrival of the recent parish sharing check, the parish should have enough money to finish the necessary work.

Other parishes report they added their share of the parish distribution to their general fund, operating funds or savings.