Fully Alive! campaign hits major milestone
As we enter a new year, we find ourselves reflecting on the incredible generosity and faith of our entire diocesan community. With gratitude to God and all those who have responded to the invitation to participate, Bishop Kemme is thrilled to share that we have surpassed the halfway mark toward our One Family, Fully Alive in Christ! Campaign goal! More than $29 million has been pledged by more than 3,750 individuals and families to strengthen our parishes, schools, outreach ministries, and Camp Kapaun as we come together to support our fellow Catholics across our diocese.
This milestone would not have been possible without the tireless efforts and leadership of pastors, parish volunteers, and lay leaders who have generously dedicated their time, talents, and prayers to the campaign. To date, more than 400 individuals across the region have helped lead this incredible effort in their communities, demonstrating an inspiring commitment to their parishes and our entire diocesan family. Their faith-filled leadership and dedication have been instrumental in driving the campaign’s success, and their contributions are deeply appreciated.
Father J.D. Betzen, pastor at St. Patrick in Chanute and St. Joseph in Humboldt, is grateful for the generous early response from his parishioners. He shared his gratitude for the response from his community: “Our parishioners have eagerly embraced this campaign, knowing it will greatly help both our parish school and our parish priorities in addition to our entire diocesan family. It’s inspiring to see their faith in action as they invest in the future of our Church. In visiting with parishioners about this campaign, I’ve come to realize that this campaign is about much more than just reaching a financial goal – it’s about coming together as one family and standing strong in our faith as we support one another.”
The second wave of parish appeals began in October and will wrap up later this month, building on the momentum and enthusiasm generated during Wave One. To date, the 31 Wave Two parishes have shown a generous response, reflecting the same spirit of faith and community seen in the initial wave. Dedicated volunteers and parish leaders have been meeting with parishioners, sharing the campaign’s vision, answering questions about the priorities, and extending heartfelt invitations to engage in upcoming ministry programming.
Amid the Christmas season, these efforts are not only fostering a deeper understanding of the campaign but also strengthening parish bonds through shared events and meaningful moments of faith.
Father Clay Kimbro, pastor at St. Mary in Oxford and Holy Name in Winfield, and his volunteer teams have set a unique goal of visiting with every person or family in their parishes. He emphasized the spiritual opportunities this campaign has provided:
“This campaign has been a wonderful opportunity to share the good news of the growth and momentum at our parish and the good news that Jesus has for those who have been away. It’s a time to extend not only an invitation to support this campaign but also an invitation to deepen their relationship with Christ. I am especially grateful for our dedicated volunteer teams, who have worked so hard to make this campaign a success.”
As we look ahead, we are excited to carry this momentum into the new year, when another 37 parishes will launch the campaign and invite more than 21,000 parishioners to pray and participate. Wave Three pastor orientation meetings were held in November. Preparation work is underway, which includes recruiting volunteers, identifying the projects for parish share funds, early communications and more.
While the work is not yet done, we are inspired by the desire to build up our mission throughout the diocese and the generous support from our entire Catholic family. Together, we will achieve our goal and build a stronger Church for generations to come.
As this new year begins, let us celebrate the many blessings that we have received and the progress we have made. Most importantly, let us pray for one another, giving thanks for the gift of our faith and the many ways God continues to work through us. May this year be a time of joy, hope, and renewed faith. Thank you for your generosity, your prayers, and your unwavering commitment to the mission of our Church.
To learn more about the campaign’s five priorities or for information about your parish participation, please visit:
OneFamilyFullyAlive.org.