Introduction

On January 25, 1941, Pope Pius XII established the Diocese of Honolulu, building upon the accomplishments of early missionaries. The Diocese of Honolulu is one of the most diverse and geographically unique dioceses in the United States. Today, the diocese includes 66 parishes, 26 missions and other places of worship where 90 priests minister to over 250,000 Catholics. There are 33 Catholic schools in the diocese, including 25 elementary schools, seven high schools and one university.

Looking to the Future

In 2006, the Diocese of Honolulu began a review of the pastoral, program and facility needs of the diocese. This process culminated with the development of Witness to Jesus: Diocesan Road Map for Pastoral Program, and Facility Needs 2008-2013, which identifies the short- and long-term needs of the Catholic Church in Hawai‘i. Based on growth, identified needs and the input of those participating in the planning process, Bishop Silva made the decision to embark upon a comprehensive $30 million capital and endowment campaign to help ensure the Church is prepared for the future.

Leadership Development of Clergy, Lay Staff and Volunteer Fund: $2,500,000

Continuing spiritual formation, education, and training of clergy is central to the mission of the church. Priests must also be wise about management and have the skills needed to identify, oversee and delegate to competent lay leaders.

Vocation Endowment: $3,000,000

Currently the parishes of the diocese are served by 90 priests - each priest serves a community of approximately 13,600. The diocese must provide for the education and training of seminarians to ensure our parishes will have the leadership needed for the coming years. This endowment will assist with the costs associated with seminarian education.

Faith Formation Program Fund: $2,000,000

Today, parishes and schools are blessed with the gifts and talents of deacons, religious, and laity whose generosity and devotion make possible the mission of Christ in the diocese. Within the diocese, some programs for lay staff and volunteers need to be strengthened, and others need to be established and implemented.

Youth and Young Adult Ministry Program Fund: $2,000,000

Beyond Catholic school programs, the diocese strives to ensure that parishes are inviting places, engaging the hearts and minds of our young people and meeting the needs of their generation. The campaign will provide funding for the formation of leaders, programs, materials, and activities that involve youth in the life of their parishes.

Social Service Program Fund: $2,500,000

Catholic Charities Hawai‘i and the Office for Social Ministry reach out to more than 25,000 people annually through a range of health and social services. The campaign will provide new funding for better coordination of the Office for Social Ministry with community and government resources to increase the supply of affordable housing.

Clergy Retirement Fund: $3,000,000

A growing number of priests in the Diocese of Honolulu are beginning to reach retirement age. After a lifetime of devotion and service, we must ensure that they are taken care of in their retirement years. The monies raised will be directed to the funding of the retirement plan for diocesan priests.

Tuition Assistance Endowment: $2,000,000

Catholic schools in our diocese educate over 11,000 students in twenty five elementary and seven secondary schools. However, increasing operating expenses have led to rising tuition costs. The Augustine Foundation was able to provide tuition assistance to only 52 percent of those seeking aid in 2007. Increasing our scholarship endowment would allow us to increase grant levels as well as assist approximately 20 percent more families currently seeking aid.

The parish is the center of Catholic life. It is where we worship, baptize our children and see them grow closer to God through the sacraments of the Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation. We bind members of our parish communities together in the sacrament of Matrimony and we pray for those who go before us to be with the Lord and console their families.

Parish Share Fund: $6,250,000

In addition to assisting parish services and ministries, this campaign includes the commitment that each parish will receive 25 percent of funds raised up to a parish’s goal, 50 percent of monies above the goal (up to 150 percent), and 80 percent over 150 percent of goal for identified needs.

New Parishes and Facilities and Management of Land Assets Fund: $2,500,000

Growth in Hawai‘i is creating a critical need for new or reorganized parishes, facilities and schools. Currently within Hawai‘i, the diocese, parishes and various religious orders own or have some interest in more than 290 parcels of land involving a total of approximately 3,360 acres. The campaign will make monies available to ensure the proper management and use of the land and properties of the diocese.

On August 16, 2008, our cathedral is 165 years old. It was in this historic cathedral that Father Damien was ordained a priest and Mother Marianne and her companions were first welcomed to Hawai‘i. Many people from all the islands of Hawai‘i share in the living history of this beautiful “Fort Street Church.” The care and maintenance of this church is a sacred responsibility shared by all.

Campaign Costs Fund: $2,750,000

These monies will be used to cover the costs associated with campaign counsel, development and publishing of all campaign materials and administrative support.

At this important moment of our history, let us keep in mind the many blessings the Lord has given us. Recognizing that all of our material goods are gifts from the Lord, we are asked in the Gospel to give back a portion of these gifts in thanksgiving for God’s generosity and goodness to us. Scripture tells us that Christian stewardship goes beyond giving from our surplus. Stewardship requires a gift made from our substance.

With Grateful Hearts seeks significant three- to five- year pledges from donors in all of our parishes. Gifts can be accepted in a variety of forms, with an emphasis on those that can be used immediately. All gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Pledges

Pledges payable over three-to-five years allow donors to consider more substantial commitments than are possible with one-time cash gifts. Donors who pledge may determine payment schedules to meet their own charitable or tax needs. Payments can be made by check, credit card, electronic funds transfer (EFT) or gifts of securities.

Securities

Gifts of stock to the With Grateful Hearts campaign can be a source of significant tax benefit to the donor by eliminating capital gains taxes. The Diocese of Honolulu will sell a gift of stock and the value of the gift will be determined at the time of transfer.

Matching Gifts

If your company has a matching gift program, you may be able to enhance the impact of your gift by requesting a matching gift form from your company and including it with your pledge card.