Posted December 23, 2009

By Christie L. Chicoine
CS&T Staff Writer

Just in time for Christmas, an online giving component has been added to the archdiocesan capital campaign web site for those who prefer to make electronic pledges to the capital campaign, “Heritage of Faith – Vision of Hope.”

The secure site at www.heritageoffaithvisionofhope.com will allow donors to set up a recurring payment plan through a bank account or by credit card.

By selecting from a drop-down list of parishes, each donor is assured his or her parish is credited for the gift.

The online pledge option is currently available to those whose parishes have concluded their local campaign activities in the pilot, Track 1 and Track 2 phases. Parishes in Track 3 and Track 4 will be added to the drop-down list as their local campaigns draw to a close in February and June, respectively.

The online giving feature also allows those who have previously made a pledge to change their payment method to a recurring payment. For example, donors who have been making pledge payments with a check may access the web site to set up a recurring payment plan through their bank or by credit card, in lieu of writing a monthly check for the duration of the pledge. Or they may make a one-time payment on an existing pledge.

Other features of the web site include the capability to view the campaign video, an in-depth look at the priorities and projects that will benefit from “Heritage of Faith – Vision of Hope” and a listing, by parish, marking the progress each is making toward its campaign goal.

At press time, the capital campaign had received $117.2 million in pledges and gifts.

This past February, Cardinal Justin Rigali called on all Catholics of the Archdiocese to join him in making a sacrificial commitment to a $200 million capital and endowment campaign to support the charitable, educational and pastoral needs of the Church of Philadelphia as it begins its third century as a diocese.

Forty percent of the total money raised, or $80 million, will be distributed to the 267 parishes of the Archdiocese. Of that amount, $10 million will support the Interparochial Cooperation Commission, an archdiocesan endowment fund for needy parishes.

Thirty-five cents of every dollar raised in a parish will remain with it. As cash payments are received on pledges up to the parish’s established goal, proceeds will be shared: 35 percent to the parish and 65 percent to the Archdiocese. Money raised above a parish’s goal will be shared 65 percent to the parish and 35 percent to the Archdiocese.

Parishes participate in the campaign on a track schedule in four-month increments.

For more information, visit the web site or call the campaign office at 215-690-0702 or 610-896-7312.

CS&T Staff Writer Christie L. Chicoine may be reached at 215-587-2468 or cchicoin@adphila.org.