1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

2014
PASTOR’S INFORMATION MANUAL
2014 BASA Prayer
Most bountiful Father,
as sons and daughters of your Kingdom,
we are grateful;
Our existence is owed to You alone.
All that we are and possess
is your gift to us.
The needs of our Church are great;
Give us the grace to commit ourselves
to provide for Her.
May we help to prepare and send forth
ordained ministers of the Gospel.
May we help to enlighten the minds
of our young people with truth.
May we help to provide
for the needs of the less fortunate.
You love a cheerful giver;
May we contribute with generous and joyful hearts,
through Christ our Lord, Amen.
— Father Rob Trujillo, Pastor,
Holy Family Parish, Williston
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TABLE of CONTENTS PAGE
The 2014 BASA Prayer
2
Table of Contents
3
Important Dates
4
Executive Summary
5
Introduction to the Appeal / History
6
Recap of 2013 BASA
7
Pastor’s Advisory Committee 2014
8
Case for Support – 2014 BASA
A. The Case
B. The Plan
C. Parish Targets
9-10
11-13
14-15
Pastor Roles
Pastor Timeline
16
17
Parish Leadership Responsibilities & Important Dates
18
Action Plan for 2014 BASA
19
Common BASA Questions & Answers
Suggested Homily Content
Bulletin and Pulpit Announcements
Additional/Contact Info
3
20-22
23
24-25
26
Key Dates & Timeline for the 2014 BASA
EVENT
DATE(S)
LOCATION
2013 Crozier Ponce de Leon Dinner
2013 Crozier Mass & Reception
St. Augustine Catholic Magazine
Announcement
Crozier $1,000+ Reception
Crozier $1,000+ Reception
Crozier $1,000+ Reception
Crozier $1,000+ Reception
Crozier $1,000+ Reception
Crozier $1,000+ Reception
Crozier $1,000+ Reception
Crozier $10,000+ Receptions
Deanery Meetings
Training Sessions
Bulletin & Pulpit Announcement Weekend
Direct Mail #1
BASA Announcement Weekend
BASA Commitment Weekend
Dec. 10
Dec. 12
Jan./Feb. Issue
TPC Sawgrass
Cody Center
All registered Families
January 16
January 27
January 29
February 10
February 11
February 13
February 18
Jan. 13, 28
Jan. 7, 15, 21, 28, & Feb. 5
Feb. 1, 8, 15
Feb. 15-16
Feb. 17
Feb. 22-23
March 1-2
St. Joseph Academy
St. Paul’s Church – Jax Beach
St. Joseph Church
St. Francis High School
Bishop Kenny High School
Santa Maria del Mar Church
Bishop Snyder High School
Gainesville & PVB
All Deaneries
BKHS, SFHS, STJA
All parishes
All families
All parishes
All parishes
BASA Follow-up Weekend
March 8-9
All parishes
Direct Mail #2
March 31
All families who have not pledged
Long Range BASA Dates - FYI
Year
Training
Sessions
Bulletin & Pulpit
Announcements
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
Jan. 26-27
Feb. 15-16
Jan. 31 – Feb. 1
Jan. 23-24
Feb. 11-12
Jan. 27-28
BASA
Announcement
Weekend
Feb. 2-3
Feb. 22-23
Feb. 7-8
Jan. 30- 31
Feb. 18-19
Feb. 3-4
BASA
Commitment
Weekend
Feb. 8-9
March 1-2
Feb. 14-15
Feb. 6-7
Feb. 25-26
Feb. 10-11
BASA
Follow-Up
Weekend
Feb. 16-17
March 8-9
Feb. 21-22
Feb. 13-14
March 4-5
Feb. 17-18
Ash
Wednesday
Easter
Feb. 13
March 5
Feb. 18
Feb. 10
March 1
Feb. 14
March 31
April 20
April 5
March 27
April 16
April 1
Parish Volunteer Team Orientation/Training Sessions 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Registration begins at 9:00am  Danish and coffee will be served
LOCATION
Bishop Kenny High School - Jacksonville
St. Francis High School – Gainesville
St. Joseph Academy – St. Augustine
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DATE
February 1, 2014
February 8, 2014
February 15, 2014
Executive Summary
This manual is intended to provide pastors with the information necessary to conduct
the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal in 2014. While much of the work for the
Appeal is being handled by the diocese, there are key elements where Bishop Estévez
needs the assistance of the pastors to ensure the Appeal is as effective as possible.
BASA Commitment Weekend is March 1-2, 2014
Please ensure that no other parish activities are planned for this weekend
that would interfere with the Appeal.
A comprehensive list of the activities requested of pastors is contained in the manual.
To summarize, they are as follows:

Provide the Office of Development & Stewardship with the names and
addresses of those families who have the capacity to consider a pledge of
$1,000 or more to the Appeal, payable over a six-month pledge period.
These families will be invited to one of the six regional receptions planned in
February where Bishop Estévez will personally invite their leadership support.
Please email the list of your parishioners, in a report form, as instructions were
given during the September Church Office training by November 30, 2013. Send
your list of Crozier invitees to jstark@dosafl.com. A copy of the instructions is
included. Review the dates for these receptions on page 12, and please plan to
attend the one in your area. All Crozier Receptions start at 7:00pm and last till
8:30pm.

Create Parish Volunteer Team (minimum of 5 people) who will commit to
one of the training dates, be available Commitment and Follow-up
Weekends, and be responsible for getting all pledges accounted for and
sent in to the Diocese. Review the Parish Leadership Job Descriptions
contained within this manual and invite parishioners you believe will be
enthusiastic and effective in assisting you in conducting the Appeal. Make them
aware of the three volunteer training dates listed on page 18 and ensure your
parish will be represented at one of the sessions.

Begin plans to be able to show the Appeal video at all of the Masses on
Commitment Weekend, March 1-2. This might require the help of an employee
or volunteer who can plan for, and handle the technology and equipment needed
to show the video in your church.
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INTRODUCTION
This year, the Appeal aims to continue support for the education of our future priests,
the ministries of Catholic Charities, and for Catholic schools that serve the poorest
communities, students with special needs and two regional high schools where the
Catholic population is not yet large enough to ensure full enrollment.
HISTORY
After many years without a Bishop’s Appeal, the Diocese of St. Augustine conducted a
successful one in 2013. Bishop Estévez’ goals in reinstating this effort in 2012-13
include:

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
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Inviting the faithful to contribute directly to these important ministries;
Encouraging a greater sense of ownership of these ministries beyond what
parishes already are doing;
Educating everyone to a deeper understanding of stewardship;
Empowering parishioners to play a vital role in carrying out these important
programs; and
Raising the funds needed to finance these ministries.
Our Appeal is rooted in the stewardship principles that recognize God as the source of
everything we have. It invites every Catholic family in our diocese to consider giving a
gift in proportion to the blessings God has poured out for them. While gift amounts are
suggested, every family is asked to prayerfully decide what gift is appropriate for their
blessings and circumstances. In explaining the Appeal to your parishioners, you are
urged to consider inviting families to return to God a portion of the blessings they have
received as the primary motivation for supporting the Appeal.
Our theme, “One Faith; One Family,” celebrates the bond we share as believers and
reminds us of the commandment to love one another as God loves us. God calls this
family together, as we are reminded when we pray Eucharistic Prayer III, “Listen
graciously to the prayers of this family, whom you have summoned before you.” This
deep connection of “faith” and “family” is perhaps best described by St. Augustine who
called the Eucharist “the bond of family.” Just as families are linked through
generations, so, too, is our Catholic family connected through time. Our predecessors
helped to educate the priests who minister to us today, built the parishes we worship in,
the schools our children attend, and funded the ministries that help others throughout
our diocese. Through the Appeal, each of us is invited to strengthen and pass on to
those who will come after us good priests, vibrant ministries, and strong institutions of
learning.
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Recap of BASA 2013
Goal
An important financial reason for the Appeal was to fill a gap ($2.25 million) in the
operational budget by funding 3 very important Diocesan ministries – Seminarians,
Catholic Charities & selected Catholic Schools.
How we set out to accomplish this
 Created a Pastors Advisory Committee
 Adopted a goal setting formula & “case” elements
 Created the Crozier Society
 Visited Deanery Meetings to educate our pastors on the program and plan and to
encourage their full participation
Basic Plan
 Educate parishioners about who and what the Diocese is, promote stewardship
and a connection to 3 key ministries.
 Raise $250,000 from Crozier Society.
 Raise the balance or $2 million from an in-pew presentation & direct mail gifts
Results for BASA 2013
 Amount Collected - $3,548,063
 Percent of goal – 163.4% of $2.250 million
 Number of donors - 12,059
 Average gift - $322
 997 Crozier Society members gave $1.7 million
 41 Parishes exceeded goal or targeted amount (St. Monica 365% & OLSS over
by $272,196)
 5 reached 79% to 99% of goal
 6 reached between 48% and 78% of goal
Evaluation What were some key points learned from this experience?





The success of BASA indicates confidence, new and increased support for the Diocese
and Bishop Estévez
Those who participated were engaged by program, Bishop Estévez and the overall
presentation.
BASA does not affect offertory giving, and there is evidence that it in fact helps engage
parishioners in the church, increases offertory giving, and raises the level of awareness
of “stewardship,” and support needed for critical diocesan ministries.
The success of the 2013 campaign proves that donors understand stewardship and are
much more generous that we thought. It was not just about giving “money,” or reaching a
goal, but our faithful understood the greater purpose of their gifts.
Parishes that did not execute the plan as presented were not nearly as successful as
those that did.
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PASTOR’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE for 2014
To offer advice and guidance for BASA 2014, Bishop Estévez has appointed the
following pastors to the 2014 Pastors’ Advisory Committee, chaired by Fr. Timothy
Cusick. This committee advised the bishop on the formulation of the plans for the
current Appeal.
DEANERY
PASTOR
PARISH
Diocese
Fr. Michael Houle
Episcopal Vicar-Development &
Finance
Gainesville
Father John Phillips
Holy Faith
Gainesville
Father Robert Trujillo
Holy Family
North Jacksonville
Father Jose Kulathinal
St. Matthew
North Jacksonville
Father Jose Kallukalam
St. Michael
South Jacksonville
Father Timothy Cusick
Holy Family
South Jacksonville
Father William Kelly
St. Paul
South Jacksonville
Msgr. Keith Brennan
Our Lady Star of the Sea
St. Augustine
Father Tom Willis
Cathedral Basilica
St. Augustine
Father Jason Trull
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
St. John’s River
Father John Tetlow
San Juan Del Rio
St. John’s River
Father Andy Blaszkowski
St. Luke
St. John’s River
Father James Boddie
St. Catherine of Siena
PAC Meeting Dates:
September 30, 2013
October
24, 2013
November 21, 2013
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Case for Support for the 2014 Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal
This year, the Appeal aims to continue support for the education of our future priests,
the ministries of Catholic Charities, and for Catholic schools that serve the poorest
communities, students with special needs and two regional high schools where the
Catholic population is not yet large enough to ensure full enrollment.
Support for Seminarians
Support for Catholic Charities
Support for Catholic Schools
$1,000,000
$750,000
$500,000
The overall goal for BASA 2014 will remain at $2,250,000.
The first $250,000 over goal will be used to pay the cost of the campaign and the
second $250,000 over goal will be allocated to pay for evangelization & communications
as part of the new strategic plan. All remaining over-goal funds will go to the seminarian
education fund as was done in 2012-2013.
Note: This new priority of Evangelization/Communications will not be included as part of the
2014 Appeal Case for Support because the goal is to build this into the yearly diocesan budget
in coming years.
A. The Case
The Diocese of St. Augustine provides a diverse array of support, training and services
that benefit its parishes, schools and the lives of all who live in the 17 counties that
make up our diocese, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. The costs of funding these vital
initiatives, and the expense of administering the diocese, have increased faster than our
revenues from the parish sharing program. Under Bishop Victor Galeone, great effort
was made to reduce expenses wherever possible. Many diocesan positions were
eliminated, and staff for other diocesan ministries was reduced.
Bishop Estévez has insisted on financial transparency to the pastors. In last year’s
deanery meetings, all of the pastors were provided with a history of the last decade’s
financial decisions, including the construction of the regional high schools and the
acquisition of land identified as essential for future growth, which contributed to the
diocesan debt. The Bishop personally attended every one of these meetings to answer
any questions about both the past history and the current diocesan budget, which was
also presented to the pastors in those deanery meetings.
Absent any new initiative, the diocese would have had to make cuts totaling more than
$2 million to the 2013 fiscal year budget. Much of the increased cost was driven by the
wonderful growth in the number of seminarians and the resulting increase in costs for
tuition and support that we provide these men. In looking at options, Bishop Estévez
was reminded that this diocese had strongly supported an annual appeal many years
ago, and reinstating the appeal seemed to offer the best source of new funding that
would not take more from parishes but instead invite the faithful to make an additional
9
gift. The Diocesan Finance Council authorized a study and that study revealed there
was strong support among pastors and lay people to reinstate the Bishop’s Annual
Stewardship Appeal.
An Appeal goal of $2.25 million was also tested. It is in keeping with the goals realized
by similar-sized dioceses when they are launching, or re-launching, an appeal. More
than $800,000 was raised in the prior year’s 2012 Lenten Appeal for seminarian
support. By building off what worked in the 2012 Lenten Appeal, we expanded the
outreach for major donations of $1,000+, asked for multi-month pledge commitments
rather than one time gifts, and encouraged each parish to make a “good faith” effort to
implement the plan. The result was a very successful 2013 Bishop’s Appeal.
Support for Seminarians
Priests are at the center of the life of the church. Blessed John Paul II described the
priestly vocation as “…a gift from God to the whole Church. … Therefore the whole
Church is called to support this gift.” Here in our diocese, God’s gift of priestly vocations
is abundant. Today, 30 seminarians are currently engaged in the academic, pastoral
and formational preparation in college and major seminaries to serve as priests for the
Diocese of St. Augustine. This tremendous gift of vocations requires a substantial
investment in support of our seminarians.
The Appeal seeks $1 million to support seminarian education.
Support for Catholic Charities
“Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.” Matthew 25:40
By generously sharing the gifts God has entrusted to us, Catholic Charities make visible
Christ’s love to others in our community. Gifts to the Appeal will help Catholic Charities
touch tens of thousands of our neighbors throughout the wide geographic area of our
diocese. In just this past year, over 77,000 individuals were served through our four
area centers located in Jacksonville, Gainesville, St. Augustine, and Lake City, and
through several rural outreach services. Along with hundreds of volunteers, Catholic
Charities was able to help families facing financial crisis remain in their homes,
distribute food to the hungry, provide counsel to women facing unplanned pregnancies,
offer spiritual and social support for seafarers, provide guidance to families seeking
citizenship, help legal refugees start a new life in Jacksonville, place more children in
loving homes of adoptive parents this year than the last 20 years, provide leadership
and guidance to help our unemployed find work, and greatly enrich the lives of the
disabled and their caregivers by hosting and staffing Camp I am Special.
To support these programs and the many other ministries of Catholic Charities,
the Appeal seeks $750,000.
Support for Catholic Education
Our Catholic schools prepare future generations for a faith-filled life rooted in Christ.
They are a primary means of evangelization and our diocese is greatly enriched by their
presence. Most schools are operated by a parish, but some require additional support
to thrive. These include the Guardian Schools – St. Pius V and Holy Rosary – that
ensure a quality Catholic education is affordable to families in the inner-city facing
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economic disadvantages. Support is also sought for the Morning Star School, providing
a Catholic education for children with special educational needs. Finally, the Appeal
seeks support for St. Joseph Academy in St. Augustine and St. Francis High School in
Gainesville. These two regional Catholic high schools ensure families in those parts of
our diocese can provide a full primary and secondary Catholic education for their
children, even though the Catholic population in these communities is not presently
large enough to make the schools self-sufficient.
To support Catholic education the Appeal seeks $500,000.
B. 2014 Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal Plan
Our Methods of Approach
The Appeal plan calls for a phased approach, multi-level and proportionate gift
requests, the acceptance of both pledges and immediate gifts, personal visits/calls to
prospective Leadership Gift donors (Crozier Society), mailings, and a strong emphasis
on the appeal from the pulpit on Commitment Sunday weekend (March 1st and 2nd).
Conducting the Appeal in phases (starting with those few prospects with substantial
resources, and then expanding out to broaden the approach) facilitates mounting
enthusiasm, credibility and momentum for the Appeal. Pledges allow for larger gifts by
enabling families to spread the commitment over a period of six months. The Appeal is
rooted in stewardship and invites families to make an equal sacrifice, not to give an
equal amount. The aim of inviting donors to give in accordance with the blessings
received freely from our Loving God is best accomplished through 3 separate phases of
the Appeal:
The Leadership Gift Phase
Crozier Receptions (2 kinds)
The Parish Gift Phase
Direct mail - Appeal 1
In-Pew Appeal
The Follow-up Phase
In-Pew Follow-up Appeal
Direct Mail - Appeal 2
Email - eblasts
Other options for gifts
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I. Leadership Gift Phase (January - February)
The Crozier Society
To encourage donors to consider gifts to the Appeal of $1,000 or more and to lead in
stewardship, Bishop Estévez has created The Crozier Society. Donors of gifts of
$1,000 or more will be recognized in a variety of significant, appropriate ways at various
giving levels for their generosity. Materials describing The Crozier Society in greater
detail will be shared with all Pastors and presented at the January/February deanery
meetings.
Crozier Receptions
During this phase, donors perceived as having the capacity to consider a commitment
of $1,000 or more, payable over six months, will be invited to a series of six receptions
conducted throughout the diocese. Parishes are asked to identify potential Crozier
Society donors (those who gift $2500 or more in offertory in the past year) and to submit
the names and contact information for these families to the Office of Development &
Stewardship by November 30th. Instructions for how to generate such a list from the
PDS software were shared with parish staff during Database training in September. A
copy of how to run the report is provided. Invitations from the Bishop to attend the
Crozier receptions are mailed from the Diocese in December.
Pastors are strongly encouraged to attend these receptions for their parish.
Additionally, there will be 3 separate receptions in which a small number of potential
donors blessed with extraordinary capacity to give $10,000 or more will be invited to
attend. Bishop Estévez will be personally involved in approaching these Leadership Gift
level prospects. Receptions for these donors to learn more about the Appeal and to
hear the bishop personally describe the objectives of the Appeal have been scheduled
for January in private homes, with follow-up solicitation visits to be conducted.
Parishes will be credited with any gifts received during the Leadership Gift Phase.
Reception Dates & Locations
DEANERY
St. Augustine
S. Jacksonville
St. John’s River
Gainesville
South Jacksonville
St. Augustine
North Jacksonville
Gainesville
South Jacksonville
DATE
January 16
January 27
January 29
February 10
February 11
February 13
February 18*
January 13
January 28
LOCATION
St. Joseph Academy
St. Paul’s – Jax Beach
St. Joseph
St. Francis HS
Bishop Kenny HS
Santa Maria del Mar
Bishop Snyder High School
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Walsh
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hart
*This reflects a changed date
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TIME
7:00pm – 8:30pm
7:00pm – 8:30pm
7:00pm – 8:30pm
7:00pm – 8:30pm
7:00pm – 8:30pm
7:00pm - 8:30pm
7:00pm - 8:30pm
7:00pm - 8:30pm
7:00pm - 8:30pm
II. Parish Gift Phase (February - March)
Direct Mail Appeal 1
Prior to Commitment Sunday, every family in the diocese not contacted in the
Leadership or Crozier Society Gift Phase will receive a mailing from Bishop Estévez
inviting their sacrificial pledge commitment in support of the Appeal. This mailing will
include a letter, brochure, commitment card, and a reply envelope directed back to the
Diocese for processing. Parishes will be provided with instructions on how to handle
any pledge forms that might come to the Parish during training sessions conducted for
the Parish Volunteer Teams in February. More information about this is provided in the
section on Parish Volunteer Leadership – Roles and Responsibilities.
In-Pew Appeal
On the weekend of March 1st – 2nd, every parish in the Diocese is asked to conduct
Commitment Weekend. A short 5-7 minute video in which Bishop Estévez personally
invites families to give to the Appeal will be provided and every parish is asked to show
the video at the Homily during every Mass. Pastors are strongly encouraged to pray the
Appeal prayer from the pulpit , make an announcement in support of the Appeal, and to
encourage participation.
Please note: This year, for in-pew pledges only, we have changed to an envelope
instead of a card design. The design change was made to address issues that
occurred last year with processing, (gifts that were separated from pledge cards) and
credit card/information security concerns. BASA envelopes, brochures and pencils will
be provided for distribution in the pews on Commitment Weekend.
III. Follow-up Gift Phase
In-Pew Follow-up Appeal
March 8th - 9th Weekend mass is the opportune time to conduct the Appeal again in
order to assure all parishioners who attend Mass have been asked from their Pastors to
make a gift.
Direct Mail Appeal 2
A letter from the Bishop, Appeal materials and commitment card will be mailed to all
faithful who have not pledged, with the exception of those who have acknowledged they
are not able/will not be pledging a gift to the Appeal during the DM1 or in-pew process.
Other options for gifts
Via E-mail, the diocese will contact all faithful who have not pledged, directing potential
donors by an electronic link and/or QR Code to the website. All Appeal materials and
an electronic means of making a pledge or 1 gift will be prominently displayed and
easily accessible.
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C. Parish Targets
As stipulated by the Diocesan Finance Council, parish targets will again be voluntary.
Each parish is asked to make a “good faith” effort to implement the Appeal plan as
described in this manual. It has been noted that all parishes who followed the
steps as given for the 2013 Appeal, achieved their target goals. Parishes that do
not reach their target will not be expected to make up the difference.
The Pastors’ Advisory Committee approved a target for each parish based on the
percentage of overall Parish Sharing Revenue that the parish contributes to the
diocese. These are targets, not assessments. All targets for the 2013 Appeal will
remain the same for the 2014 Appeal.
Parish
Parish #1
Parish #2
Parish #3
SAMPLE PARISH TARGET CALCULATIONS
Parish Target for the
% of total Diocesan Sharing
Appeal (% of sharing
Revenue that Parish provides
revenue x $2.25 million)
2%
$45,000
4%
$90,000
1/2%
$11,250
INDIVIDUAL PARISH TARGETS for 2014 BASA
Parish
Assumption
Blessed Trinity
Cathedral Basilica
Christ the King
Corpus Christi
Crucifixion
Epiphany
Holy Cross (M)
Holy Faith
Holy Family
Holy Family
Holy Rosary
Holy Spirit
Immaculate Conception
Mary Queen of Heaven
Most Holy Redeemer
City
Jacksonville
Jacksonville
St. Augustine
Jacksonville
St. Augustine
Jacksonville
Lake City
Cross City
Gainesville
Jacksonville
Williston
Jacksonville
Jacksonville
Jacksonville
Jacksonville
Jacksonville
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2014 Bishop's Annual
Stewardship Appeal
Target
$72,000
$42,000
$69,000
$90,000
$25,000
$4,000
$25,000
$2,000
$75,000
$100,000
$6,000
$3,000
$52,000
$31,000
$15,000
$31,000
Our Lady of Consolation
Our Lady of Good Counsel
Our Lady Star of the Sea
Prince of Peace
Queen of Peace
Resurrection
Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart
San José
San Juan del Rio
San Juan (M)
San Sebastian
Santa Maria del Mar
St. Ambrose
St. Anastasia
St. Anthony the Abbot (M)
St. Augustine
St. Catherine
St. Edward
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
St. Francis Xavier
St. John the Baptist
St. John the Baptist
St. John the Evangelist
St. Joseph
St. Luke
St. Madeleine Sophie
St. Mary
St. Mary, Mother of Mercy
St. Matthew
St. Michael
St. Monica
St. Patrick
St. Patrick
St. Paul
St. Paul
St. Philip Neri (M)
St. Pius
St. Therese, Jasper (M)
St. William
Callahan
St. Augustine
Ponte Vedra Beach
Jacksonville
Gainesville
Jacksonville
Green Cove Springs
Jacksonville
Jacksonville
St. Johns
Branford
St. Augustine
Flagler Beach
Elkton
St. Augustine
Inglis
Gainesville
Orange Park
Starke
Palm Coast
Live Oak
Atlantic Beach
Crescent City
Interlachen
Jacksonville
Middleburg
High Springs
Bunnell
Macclenny
Jacksonville
Fernandina Beach
Palatka
Gainesville
Jacksonville
Jacksonville Beach
Jacksonville
Hawthorne
Jacksonville
Jasper
Keystone Heights
(M) = Mission
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$6,000
$27,000
$140,000
$45,000
$187,000
$35,000
$75,000
$57,000
$93,000
$130,000
$2,000
$18,000
$36,000
$7,000
$65,000
$1,000
$50,000
$89,000
$4,000
$75,000
$6,000
$19,000
$9,000
$5,000
$161,000
$55,000
$10,000
$11,000
$4,000
$45,000
$50,000
$11,000
$31,000
$16,000
$120,000
$25,000
$2,000
$7,000
$1,000
$10,000
PASTOR ROLES AND TIMELINES
- As the leader of the parish, the pastor is the single greatest motivator of support
for a project of this nature.
For the BASA 2014 to succeed, it requires the active involvement of all pastors within
the diocese. We found last year that parishioners will respond to the pastor’s
enthusiasm, leadership, confidence and his articulation of the importance of the
ministries seeking support through the Appeal. To succeed, pastors must be committed
and implement the 2014 BASA plan to the best of their abilities. The roles and
responsibilities of pastors for their parish may vary, but in successful parishes will
include most of the following:
 Recruit parish leadership 5-6 people to assist you, including a Parish Leader and
preferably one member of your office staff to serve on the team as secretary and
diocesan contact;
 Attend the Regional Crozier Society Gifts reception in your area;
 Provide leadership for your lay volunteers and pray with them for the 2014 BASA
and the ministries it will fund;
 Help identify parish donor prospects for the Crozier Society Gifts ($1,000+)
phase and provide a list of those parishioners to the diocese by November
30, 2013. Send this list to jstark@dosafl.com. Instructions included;
 Promote the 2014 BASA positively from the pulpit, at parish meetings, and within
Christian Formation classes. Encourage all faithful to pray for its success and
the much needed financial support of the ministries it gives aid to. Frequently use
and make copies of the Stewardship Prayer written by Father Rob Trujillo
available to your staff and ministry leaders;
 Ensure the Appeal video is shown at all Masses on Commitment Weekend;
 Make a gift to the Appeal commensurate with your own abilities before asking
others to give. Consider placing your Commitment Envelope first in the second
collection as it is being conducted at each Mass;
 Consider being involved in approaching some of the Crozier Society Gift families
identified for your parish after the reception to add your voice to the Bishop’s
request. Experience proves donors are particularly receptive to requests from
their pastor.
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PASTOR ACTIVITY TIMELINE
DECEMBER
RESPONSIBILITIES


Pastor Activities
Parish Activities
JANUARY
Pastor Activities
Parish Activities
FEBRUARY
Pastor Activities
Parish Activities
Diocesan
Activities
MARCH
Pastor Activities
Diocesan
Activities
Review Case for Support
Review overall BASA fundraising targets and individual parish
targets.
 Recruit lay leaders for the BASA – Form your leadership team
 Begin to outline talking points for pulpit announcements
(suggestions will be provided)
 Identify Potential Crozier Society members for deanery receptions
Provide names to diocese by November 30, 2013
RESPONSIBILITIES
 Attend your Regional Crozier Society reception
 Finalize talking points for Sunday announcements
(3 announcements, beginning on February 15-16. Suggestions will
be provided.)
 Meet with your Appeal Volunteer Team. Make sure leaders are
available and committed to attend training
 Attend Regional Crozier Society reception
 Review parish materials for BASA (to be provided)
 Prepare bulletin inserts about BASA (to be provided)
 Ensure BASA video can be shown at all Masses on Commitment
Weekend
RESPONSIBILITIES
 Begin bulletin and pulpit announcements
 Attend Parish Team Leader Orientation & Training Session
 Help follow up with Crozier Society prospects after your deanery
reception
 Parish Team Leader and secretary attend Parish Team Leader
Orientation & Training Session
 Parish Appeal Volunteer Team meets to coordinate BASA activities,
assign responsibilities, and practice
 Mail the 2014 BASA request letter from Bishop Estévez to every
household for whom the diocese has a valid address (excluding
those invited to the Crozier Society receptions) two weeks prior to
Commitment Sunday
RESPONSIBILITIES
 Promote the 2014 BASA from the pulpit at the Homily on
Commitment Weekend (March 1-2, 2014)
 Distribute BASA materials during Commitment Weekend
 Ensure lay leadership is ready to process commitment pledge
envelopes received on Commitment Weekend.
(Information to follow)
 Begin receiving regular reports on BASA progress from the
Diocesan Office of Development & Stewardship
 Update parish through bulletin announcements on results as notified
by Diocese on progress reports
 Publish info about BASA in the St. Augustine Catholic magazine
and include a response envelope
 Mail follow-up letter to all who do not pledge to Appeal
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Parish Leadership Duties & Responsibilities
Parish Appeal Leader
The Parish Appeal Leader should be a well-respected member or couple in the parish
community who support the goals of the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal. They
should be able to motivate others, knowledgeable about the parish and have the ability
to present the BASA to fellow parishioners.
Responsibilities:
 Assist pastor in all aspects of the Appeal;
 Help identify/provide list of parish prospects for Crozier Society reception;
 Attend the Crozier Society reception for their deanery;
 Attend one of the regional Parish Team Leader Orientation/Training sessions in
February;
 Train the parish appeal volunteer team, including ushers, on all presentation and
processing of 2014 BASA materials and gifts
 Publicly endorse 2014 BASA and its case for support
 If requested, promote BASA positively from the pulpit and at parish meetings;
 Chair any parish meetings regarding the campaign;
 Oversee reporting of parish results to the diocese in the bulletin and on the
website;
 Make a gift to 2014 BASA commensurate with their leadership.
Parish Appeal Secretary (Parish staff member suggested)
The Parish Appeal Secretary (Volunteer) is a vital link between the parish and the Office
of Development & Stewardship at the diocese. Someone knowledgeable of the parish
and capable of keeping accurate records is required. He or she should have access to
an accurate parish roster/Church Office database, and be available to answer questions
throughout the Appeal.
Responsibilities:
 Attend one of the Regional Parish Team Leader Orientation/Training sessions in
February;
 Audit pledge envelopes for accurate and complete information;
 Send all completed pledge envelopes and payments to the diocese (instructions
will follow) following commitment weekend
 Be responsible for forwarding any pledges or gifts received after commitment
weekend immediately to the diocesan PO Box;
 Serve as a contact for BASA updates;
 Make a gift to BASA commensurate with their ability to give.
Parish Team Leaders Orientation/Training Sessions – 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Registration begins at 9:00am Coffee & danish provided
Bishop Kenny High School - Jacksonville
February 1, 2014
St. Francis High School – Gainesville
February 8, 2014
St. Joseph Academy – St. Augustine
February 15, 2014
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GETTING STARTED – ACTION PLAN
 REVIEW THE CASE FOR SUPPORT AND THE BASA PLAN
Familiarize yourself with the important components of the case and the timeline
and sequence of the BASA plan.
 REVIEW YOUR PARISH TARGET
Understand the importance that each parish plays in achieving our overall goal.
Parish targets will not become assessments but the overall success is dependent
on every parish following the plan.
 IDENTIFY PARISH LEADERSHIP
Parish Leader(s) and Parish Appeal Secretary (not necessarily the parish
secretary, but preferably a parish staff member).
 IDENTIFY PROSPECTIVE LEADERSHIP GIFT DONORS
Identify a parish list of top givers who are to be invited to the Crozier Society
Regional Receptions. Submit a prospect list to the Office of Development &
Stewardship by November 30, 2013 via email at jstark@dosafl.com. If not able to
create this list, please contact Joanna Stark directly at (904) 262-3200 ext.144.
 SPEAK POSITIVELY ABOUT THE APPEAL
Optimism is contagious, our Bishop is engaging, and our mission is to engage all
our faithful in the Appeal and encourage stewardship. All of these combined will
ensure the success of BASA 2014.
 Encourage prayer for BASA and the ministries it supports.
Great potential exists for our Appeal, particularly in comparison to other similarly-sized
dioceses. For example, consider the following results from 2012:
2012
No. of Gifts Average Gift % Participation % of Goal
Diocese of St. Augustine
12,058
$322
19%
164.8%
Diocese of Richmond
13,770
$190
23%
146.3%
Diocese of Charlotte
18,661
$254
32%
106.6%
Diocese of El Paso
13,245
$167
25%
110.3%
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Common Questions & Answers
ABOUT PROCEDURES…
1. Why do we take time to fill in pledge card line by line?
Experience has proven that filling in the pledge card by line, engages everyone to
consider making a gift, all are asked to give according to their means, or ability to make
a pledge over a 6 month period.
2. Who is the best group to pass out and take up the pledge cards?
Your regular ushers, they should meet with a member of your parish volunteer team
before Appeal weekend to go over the in-pew process.
3. Who is the best group to count the pledges, complete the forms?
A combination of regular offertory counters and Parish volunteer team members that
have attended a training session for the 2014 Appeal. There are several changes to last
year’s process for reporting that is more simple and much easier.
4. What do we do if there are no labels for a family and we know they are in the
parish?
We will be providing parishes with 2 sets of labels this year. Use the blank ones
provided and write in the Family name, address, and 2nd ID number. This is an
important part of the process in which we need your help. It is the only means of
identifying the pledge, (because all gifts are in a sealed envelope) gift and/or means of
setting up a schedule for reminders with the correct donor.
5. Why does every family present need to complete a pledge card at Mass?
It encourages all of our faithful to engage in the Appeal through some stewardship
action.
6. What do we do with blank or left over pledge cards from Commitment Weekend?
Place them where they can be picked up easily and encourage parishioners through
pulpit announcements and a continuous note in the bulletin to leave these envelopes
with the Parish office only. These will then be forwarded to the Diocese, to the Office of
Development & Stewardship.
7. I could not hear the video at Mass; do you have a copy of the script I can read?
You can access the video through the Diocesan website. Go to www.dosafl.com and
click on the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal.
8. Why do we ask for our date of birth on commitment cards and other response
forms?
First, please understand providing this information is always the option of a donor.
Secondly, for donors relations and sending birthday cards. Third, it helps us understand
the demographics of donors, and better communicate with supporters.
ABOUT THE CASE…
1. Does any of the BASA go to fund Diocesan operations?
No, however, the first $250,000 over this year’s goal will go towards covering the cost of
the Appeal, and the second $250,000 over that will go towards an evangelization and
communications initiative.
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2. I already give to vocations and several schools that are a part of BASA. Why
should I give to this too?
The Appeal will fund the 3 priorities, allowing these ministries to plan and budget for
2014 expenses.
ABOUT GIVING…
1. Why can’t we use Faith Direct, parish pay, etc. to give to BASA?
Three reasons, it is much more costly, not everyone is on the same system and it would
require technology we currently do not have.
2. Can I make a gift with a credit or debit card on line through the diocesan web site?
Yes, in the 2014 BASA, donors will be able to make a gift by credit card and by ACH
debit from their checking accounts through the diocesan website.
3. If I make a check out to my parish or just place my gift in the collection basket at a
weekly Mass, will my pledge be credited?
All checks must be made out to B.A.S.A. (Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal) to be
credited to your pledge. Your gift will be processed more quickly, however, if mailed
directly to the Diocese in the return envelope provided each month. If you make your
check out to your parish, your gift will go to the parish, not BASA, and not count towards
any intended gift or pledge to the diocesan annual appeal.
4. Does my gift at a Crozier giving level serve for ongoing membership?
No, the Crozier Society is an annual membership program.
5. Can I extend my pledge more than 6 months?
The Pastors Advisory Committee suggested a pledge time of no longer than 6 months
so that our faithful associate BASA with a set time frame and not a continuous, year
round appeal.
6. Can I give stocks or securities to make my gift?
Yes, please contact Audrey Caudill in our fiscal department to make arrangements,
(904) 262-3200 ext.132.
7. I give/tithe to my parish through our stewardship program; I can’t give any more
than I already am. Why are you asking me to give more?
Your Bishop is asking all our faithful to support the Appeal, but only after you have given
to your parish and then, only if you have the ability to do so.
8. How does my gift help my own parish?
The Pastors Advisory Committee agreed to use all gifts raised over goal to support our
seminarians. All of our diocese and parishes will enjoy the benefits of the seminarians
we are educating for our future.
9. Does the Appeal qualify for matching gift programs?
We do qualify for some. As this can change each year, we ask that you please contact
your Human Resource staff at work to see how you can apply for a matching gift and if
the Diocese of St. Augustine is a qualified recipient. They have the forms or will direct
you to access them online. Once we receive the application, we process them
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immediately. Last year many of our faithful were able to double their gift to BASA with
matching company gifts.
10. Will I receive a pledge reminder?
This year, everyone who makes a pledge will receive a monthly reminder that will
include the Total Pledged, Total Paid and Balance. This will include for the first time,
those gifting through credit card and ACH debits.
11. When will I get a letter for income tax purposes?
All letters for tax documentation of BASA gifts will go out in December.
12. I am registered in or go to 2 or 3 different parishes. Can I split my gift?
Yes, this year we have added software that will allow us to do this. Please note the
parish and amount to credit each parish on your pledge envelope received in-pew or on
the pledge card received via mail to your home. Please make only one pledge.
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Possible Homily Content
February 22-23 - Announcement Weekend
The theme of the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal is: "One Faith, One Family." As Pastors
prepare their homilies to be delivered at Mass, they might wish to consider the following:
“You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart. Though you may have to reprove
your fellow citizen, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against
any of your people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” Lev 19:17-18
+ In this Sunday's reading from Leviticus 19:17-18, God commands "love your neighbor as
yourself." Through the Bishop's Appeal, Catholics in the Diocese of St. Augustine are afforded a
vehicle to make visible Christ's love for their neighbor through their support of Catholic
Charities (direct service to the poor); Catholic education (where young people encounter Christ
the Teacher and grow both in their faith and in their understanding of the world) and,
ultimately, through seminarians, whose purpose is to continue the Apostolic mission of bringing
the Good News of Jesus to all and celebrating the sacraments for the People.
“Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become
a fool, so as to become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is
written: God catches the wise in their own ruses, and again: The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are vain.” 1 Cor 3:18-20
+ In the Second Reading (1 Corinthians 3:16-23) Paul teaches that "the wisdom of this world is
foolishness in God's sight." When I reflect on that, what comes to mind is the need to accept
that we must rely on God, not on ourselves. One way we show that we have placed our full
reliance on God is to have the confidence to give away our wealth, to recognize it really isn't
ours but has been entrusted to us by God, through the gifts He has given us (skills, talents,
health, etc.) Do we boldly believe that God will always provide?
“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you,
love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly
Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the
unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors
do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do
the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matt 5:43-48
+ The Gospel today (Matthew 5:38-48) seems to expound on the First Reading.
In Leviticus,
God commands us to love our neighbor. But in Matthew, we see Jesus expanding that concept
of "neighbor" by teaching we are to love not only our neighbor, but even more so our
enemy. "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?" The Bishop's Appeal
invites support for people whom you may never meet - while not literally your "enemy,"
certainly the stranger. It is a way we go out and give to those who will never personally know
we gave - not just "loving” those who love you" Good stewards realize that God does not call
them just to love those who are easy to love, but to love the unloved and the hard-to-love
people in this world as well.
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PULPIT & BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
February 15-16, 2014
Initial Announcement of the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal
Prayers of the Faithful - Please include the following in the prayers at all masses…
"That each of us will give generously to the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal as a sign of
our gratitude for God's gifts to us. We pray to the Lord...."
Bulletin Announcement
Please print the Bulletin Announcement shown below on Feb.15-16th. Please prepare a parish
announcement referring to the Bulletin Announcement below, calling attention to the fact that
many people will be receiving the mailing asking them to participate in this year’s Appeal. Ask
them to reflect on God's gifts to them and to offer their generous support to the work of the
Diocese.
[Bulletin Announcement]
2014 Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal -
The Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal is now underway. Many of you will soon
receive a mailing asking for your support. Please make a pledge to the 2014 Bishop’s Annual
Stewardship Appeal using the response card in the mailing or by completing a Commitment
Envelope at Mass the weekend of March 1 - 2.
Once again, our theme of the Appeal is, "One Faith, One Family”. Our contributions to
our parish and our Diocese serve as a sign of our gratitude not only for God's answers to our
prayers but also as a sign of our recognition that all that we are, and all that we have, are gifts
given to us by God.
Your gift will support the ministries and services that touch thousands of lives not only in
our parish but throughout our Diocese.
Please respond to our request and make a generous pledge. All pledges can be billed in
six monthly installments. We ask everyone to pray for the success of the Appeal. Thank you in
advance for your support.
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February 22-23, 2014
Announcement Weekend
Preparation for Announcement Weekend
Process:
The focus of Announcement Weekend is to provide substantial information about the use of
Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal funds and to advise parishioners that they will be asked to
give next week during the in-pew process. Each parish volunteer team should put up the
posters and have prominent announcements about the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal
inserted or printed in parish bulletins for distribution after the Masses.
Prayers of the Faithful -Please include this in the prayers at all masses….
"That each of us will give generously to the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal as a sign of
our gratitude for God's gifts to us. We pray to the Lord...."
Bulletin and Pulpit Announcement
Please prepare an after-communion announcement that asks people to read the brochure that
has been mailed to them (and will be available at the parish next weekend) and to come to
Mass prepared to make their Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal gift next weekend. Note that
the In-pew Commitment Envelope will have a place where those that have given by mail can
indicate that fact.
[Announcement at Pulpit & Bulletin]
2014 Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal
A Time for Reflection
This week, we hope you will review the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal information
you have received. The theme of the Appeal is: "One Faith. One Family”.
The Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal is different than a one-time special collection. It is a
pledge campaign where you are invited to make a gift payable over six months.
A significant gift to the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal will touch the lives of many
others in a very positive way. The Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal provides critical funding
to pay for the education of our seminarians, to help the poor and those facing emergencies
through Catholic Charities, and to provide support for Catholic schools. As you review the work
enabled by your contribution to the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal, please reflect on
God's gifts to you. He has given you all that you have. Your gifts to our parish, to the Diocese,
and to the work of the Church throughout the world should be given in gratitude for the
continuing gifts that God gives to you.
Sometimes it is difficult to envision how one pledge can help an organization the size of
our Diocese, how it can make a real difference. But each pledge does make a difference
because all parishes participate in the campaign and the gifts of many enable our Diocese to
deliver needed ministry and services. Our combined gifts not only signify our gratitude to God,
they glorify Him by enabling the work of our Diocese.
If you received your pledge form in the mail, please complete it and mail it back, or bring
it with you to Mass next week. For those of you who did not receive a mailing or have not had
time to respond to it, we will conduct our in-pew pledge process at all Masses next weekend
and the following weekend.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration and generous response.
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ADDITIONAL / CONTACT INFORMATION
All Appeal materials including the video, copies of the Parish Information Manual,
Bulletin announcements, and forms can be found on the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship
Appeal web page on the Diocese’s website. In order to obtain these materials, follow
these steps:
1) http://www.dosafl.com
2) Click on the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal link
3) Select "Resources"
Diocesan Post Office Box Address:
Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal
Diocese of St. Augustine
P.O. Box 23907
Jacksonville, FL 32241-3907
Questions Regarding the Crozier Society
Contact:
Stanton Cadow, Director of Development & Stewardship
scadow@dosafl.com
(904) 262-3200 Ext. 171
Questions Regarding BASA Gifts or Pledges
Contact: Joanna Stark, Associate Director
jstark@dosafl.com
(904) 262-3200 Ext. 144
Questions Regarding Materials
Contact: Susie Kelley, Assistant
skelley@dosafl.com
(904) 262-3200 Ext. 106
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