One Heart, One Soul campaign benefits are financial and more

Activities surrounding the $35-million One Heart, One Soul campaign are multiplying across the Diocese of Hamilton.

After just a few weeks of active fund-raising, including at 14 Pilot Wave parishes, more than $3.7 million had been pledged. 

As of mid-May, the Pilot Wave parishes had raised $2.1 million, while an additional $1.6 million had been pledged by other diocesan supporters and organizations.

The campaign, aimed at strengthening parishes and several diocesan wide ministries, features parishioner-to-parishioner visits that not only deal with pledges and gifts, but build community as well.

“I feel like I have four new friends,” said campaign volunteer Dave Miller of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Burford after he had visited with other parish households about the campaign.

Lay volunteers across Pilot Wave parishes also have given testimonials at Masses to share the powerful impact the projects at each parish will have. The projects include construction goals — such as church expansions, roof repairs and interior renovations — and ministry goals, such as improvements in community outreach and offerings for high school students and children.

 The Pilot Wave will run through June, and three larger, additional waves will follow as the campaign gathers steam and continues through early 2021.

 Other developments are generating a positive buzz in the diocese:

• Preparations for the next wave are under way at more than 30 other parishes in the diocese. Pastors at those parishes gathered May 15 for a lunch at which Pilot Wave pastors shared their experiences.

• Some parishes aren’t waiting to work on projects. Sacred Heart Parish in Paris has used funds in hand to build an accessible washroom on the main level of its church and replace flooring in the sanctuary as it raises funds to build a new parish hall.

• Sacred Heart also is working to strengthen relations with the schools in the area. A meeting was held with school principals recently. 

“It was amazing how both parties felt that a greater connection with church and school is more critical than ever,” said Peter Cote, the head of Sacred Heart’s Interim Parish Council.