The Campaign
In February 1732, when eleven people gathered for the first Mass in the tiny chapel of St. Joseph in Willings Alley, theirs was the only Catholic Church in the fifty-year old city of Philadelphia. Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia encompasses five counties—Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery—spread over 2,165 square miles. There are 269 parishes and more than 200 schools, plus our historic Basilica, a leading seminary, the agencies of Catholic Human Services and dozens of pastoral offices supporting evangelization, family life and other important ministries.These institutions serve the spiritual needs of 1.5 million Catholics. Our diocesan family reflects the diversity of God’s human family, comprised of people from every part of the globe, every socioeconomic status, praising God in dozens of languages. Heritage of Faith ~ Vision of Hope is an extraordinary undertaking designed to meet the challenges of the Church at this historic time.
As our Archdiocese sets its course for the future, it has become evident to our pastoral and lay leadership that an injection of financial resources is necessary to attain our objectives. Heritage of Faith ~ Vision of Hope will provide a solid basis for meeting urgent needs and investing in the long-term development of critical ministries and vital facilities, as well as providing much-needed endowment security.
Our aim is high: minimally $200 million. These monies will be deposited into a separately incorporated 501 (c)(3) charitable fund and enable the Church of Philadelphia to meet six goals:
- Revitalizing and renewing parish life as the center of our faith;
- Ensuring access to a high-quality Catholic education;
- Restoring the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul;
- Investing in priestly formation and campus infrastructure at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary;
- Ensuring a dignified retirement and healthcare for retired clergy, and;
- Ministering to the needy in our region by providing vital human services.
