By Barb Arland-Fye
What’s the difference between the Diocese of Davenport’s capital campaign and the Annual Diocesan Appeal? That’s a question parishioners are asking in the midst of the $22 million fundraising campaign.
“People ask, ‘will the Annual Diocesan Appeal continue?’ Yes, it’s for the annual operating expenses of the diocese and its programs and ministries,” said Sister Laura Goedken, OP, the diocese’s development director. “The capital campaign is for present and future needs of the diocese.”
Funds from the capital campaign will cover the purchase and renovation of diocesan headquarters in Davenport as well as support clergy, seminarians, schools, parishes and diocesan ministries. Each parish also will receive 20 percent of the funds it raises toward its target goal and 50 percent of any overage.
Campaign funds will be held in the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Davenport, which will distribute income each year to assist diocesan programs. Income from the campaign will keep the Annual Diocesan Appeal from having to accelerate its goals for parish contributions, Sr. Goedken said.
To date, the capital campaign has raised $12.6 million. Many parishes have completed their fundraising efforts while 43 parishes are in the process of conducting their campaigns and have already raised $1.1 million, she said. “We’ll complete the active phase of the campaign by the end of June.”
Parishes that have exceeded goal are: St. John Vianney, Bettendorf; Immaculate Conception, Colfax; St. Peter, Cosgrove; St. Mary, Davenport; St. Paul the Apostle, Davenport; St. Joseph, DeWitt; St. Mary, Grinnell; St. John, Houghton; Our Lady of the River, LeClaire; St. Alphonsus, Mount Pleasant; Sacred Heart, Newton; St. Mary, Oskaloosa; St. Patrick, Ottumwa; St. Mary, Oxford; Ss. Joseph & Cabrini, Richland; St. Mary, Solon; St. James, St. Paul; and St. Joseph, West Liberty.
Bishop Martin Amos expressed his appreciation for the financial support. “I would like to thank all volunteers and pastors who are working on the capital campaign and I am pleased with the parishes that have worked so diligently to reach their campaign target.”
