As a direct outgrowth of the first Orlando Diocesan
Synod, which was called to identify and meet
diocesan-wide needs as identified by clergy and laity,
it was determined that meeting the priorities would
take a bold effort by the diocese with the help of
God’s grace and the many members of Christ’s
faithful.
The overall Campaign goal of $150,000,000 is
projected to fund $90,000,000 to parish needs and
$60,000,000 to Synod needs to GROW (through new
parishes and missions, new schools, tuition
assistance, the San Pedro Retreat Center and St.
James Cathedral), to LEAD (through the recruiting
and forming of clergy and lay leaders as well as the
Catholic Campus Ministry Center) and to SHARE (by
way of Catholic Charities of Central Florida and the
Catholic Foundation of Central Florida). Indeed, this
is a bold and brilliant approach for our diocese to
take to help make it possible for existing parishes to
accomplish what they could not do on their own while
at the same time fund the many needs identified
diocesan-wide.
Who Will Participate?
All parishes will participate in the Alive In Christ
Campaign, even those which may not have a specific
capital need at the time. The first group of nine
parishes which will directly benefit from their
participation in the Capital Campaign includes our own
St. Theresa Catholic Church. Our parishioner pledges
to the Capital Campaign will not only provide the
financial support which will benefit our church needs
directly and, through a small percentage portion to
the diocese, will also enable the diocese to make it
possible for our parish to proceed with our church
construction goals in advance of raising all the money
necessary to do so.
A new church and thrift shop/sorting center is
needed. Why? For some time we have been aware
that our church does not meet city, county and state
safety codes and is not handicapped accessible.
There are plans for Belleview subdivisions to be built
over the next 2-3 years with approximately 4,000
new homes. Our existing church will not be able to
accommodate the projected percentages of Catholics
which would attend our parish. We have only one
permanent priest appointed who would be unable to
celebrate more than five Masses each weekend. Our
Thrift Shop, a profit center for our Social Services
ministry, must be relocated to accommodate
retention pond needs and will be expanded to include
a sorting center. Our needs exist.
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