The Catholic Church of Philadelphia recently completed a campaign planning study. It was undertaken to help discern how best to advance Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez’s Trust and Hope pastoral vision, and strengthen the mission of the Catholic Church of Philadelphia for generations to come.
Conducted across the region in recent months, the study invited feedback from a diverse range of Catholics regarding the needs, opportunities, and priorities that will help shape a future Archdiocesan-wide effort. More than 2,000 Catholic families participated, offering thoughtful responses that provided valuable perspectives while reflecting a deep love for the Church and Her mission.
The study’s findings illustrated strong momentum. Respondents expressed broad support for the Archdiocese’s proposed priorities, including supporting parishes, providing comprehensive care for priests and seminarians, advancing and sustaining Catholic schools, and strengthening ministries that serve communities across the region. In addition, 78% of respondents indicated that they would be willing to make a financial gift when the time comes, while hundreds also expressed interest in serving as volunteer leaders. Together, those results suggest not only confidence among the faithful in the path ahead, but also a growing willingness to support the Church’s mission through prayer, leadership, and generosity.
Sheila Rizzo, Chief Stewardship and Development Officer of the Archdiocese, expressed appreciation for the strong participation shown throughout the study. “I am so grateful to the many members of the archdiocesan community who participated in this study,” she said. “Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and thoughtful input. The response affirms both the importance of this work and the deep love so many people have for the future of the Church in Philadelphia.”
Archbishop Pérez likewise showed his gratitude and invited the faithful to remain united in prayer as the Archdiocese continues discerning the path ahead.
“This encouraging response,” he said, “is a beautiful sign of the love that so many have for the Church and her mission in Philadelphia. I ask the faithful of our Archdiocese to continue praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we move forward together with trust, hope, and renewed missionary purpose.”
In light of the positive response to the study, Archbishop Pérez has announced that the Archdiocese will move into the preparation phase of an archdiocesan-wide campaign. This next phase will focus on refining priorities and shaping a campaign framework informed by the feedback received throughout the study process.
This milestone marks a meaningful next step as the Archdiocese seeks to build on this momentum in a way that is prayerful, mission-focused, and responsive to the needs of the Church across the region.
In the months ahead, Archbishop Pérez and his leadership team, together with clergy and lay leaders, will continue reviewing the study findings, refining campaign priorities, and prayerfully charting the path forward.
Additional information will be shared as the effort continues to take shape. Catholics throughout the Archdiocese are invited to read the Archbishop’s announcement letter and review the planning study’s summary report at TrustAndHope.org, while continuing to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Through this effort, the Archdiocese seeksto strengthen ministries, advance parishes and schools, strengthen support for priests throughout their ministry, and renew the Catholic Church of Philadelphia for generations to come.
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The Steier Group is a national Catholic development firm providing stewardship and development support to the Catholic Church of Philadelphia.
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