Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
October 18, 2000
Catholics urged to be generous in final year of Hearts on Fire
By Peter Droege
Catholics in northern Colorado should pat themselves on the back.
As it enters its fifth and final year, the Hearts on Fire campaign is on target to reach its $34 million goal. While it is crucial for Catholics to continue their generous support, it is appropriate to stop and celebrate all that has been accomplished, says Jan Zapapas, secretary for stewardship and planning for the Archdiocese of Denver.
"Five years ago, the needs were overwhelming," Zapapas told the Register. "We need to remind ourselves of all we have accomplished, and share the good news with those who recently moved here," she added.
Zapapas is quick to point out that Hearts on Fire has two goals: to invest in the "bricks and mortar" of parish and archdiocesan facilities as well as program endowments, and to educate the faithful about the spiritual benefits of stewardship.
On both counts, Hearts on Fire has been an overwhelming success, says Zapapas.
The "bricks and mortar" elements and endowments funded by the campaign include:
The John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization, located at the site of the former St. Thomas Seminary, has undergone extensive renovations and is now a central gathering place for Catholics in northern Colorado. It houses the pastoral center, the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary, a convent for the Religious Sisters of Mercy, classrooms and facilities used by countless groups, a new residence for the archbishop, and the Archbishop Vehr Theological Library, which is open to the public.
A centrally located headquarters for Catholic Charities has been established to better serve the needs of the poor. The Catholic Charities Margery Reed Mayo Daycare Center was renovated, in part, through Hearts on Fire, as was the "Plaza del Milagro," an affordable housing development for migrant workers living near Greeley.
Located at its landlocked northwest Denver site since 1922, Holy Family High School moved to a state-of-the-art $12 million facility at 144th and Sheridan in September, 1999.
Bishop Machebeuf High School, also located on a landlocked site at 1958 Elm St., moved to a beautiful new $8.5 million facility on the Lowry campus in east Denver.
The Seeds of Hope Charitable Trust now offers financial assistance to over 800 needy children annually to attend Catholic schools. It also provides urgently needed funds to Catholic schools in low income neighborhoods.
Through the Parish Capital Assistance Fund, Hearts on Fire provides monies to parishes facing emergency needs.
Hearts on Fire also provides financial support for the Priestly Retirement Fund.
Zapapas points out that currently there are over 25 retired priests, but of the 155 active priests, 39 are over the age of 70, and 35 are over the age of 60.
"In a short period of time, many of our priests will be retiring," she explained. "As the Catholic community in northern Colorado, we need to recognize our responsibility to be there for them in their time of need," she added.
"The great thing about Hearts on Fire is that it not only funds major archdiocesan needs, but is designed to meet needs at the parish level as well," Zapapas said. "Separate campaigns could have been conducted for all of these needs, instead, Hearts on Fire is allowing us to work together through our shared commitment to stewardship," she added.
The second goal of Hearts on Fire, to proclaim the spiritual and financial benefits of sharing time, talent and treasure, are bearing great fruit in the archdiocese, according to Zapapas.
As of June, 2000, there has been a 40 percent increase in the average parish offertory collection since 1996. Likewise, growing numbers of people are sharing the gifts God has given them by volunteering in parish and community organizations.
"The beauty of Hearts on Fire is that it was meant to challenge the Catholic community to step up to stewardship," Zapapas explained. "It challenges us to recognize how the spirituality of stewardship can transform our lives and our families," she added.
While the campaign is on target, parishes will be stepping up efforts to encourage people to continue making sacrificial gifts through the parish offertory. In the coming weeks, a message from Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., will be played during masses to encourage people to continue their generous support of Hearts on Fire.
"We need for people to continue being as generous as possible in their offertory commitment through December, 2001, and beyond," Zapapas said. "Many parishes are engaged in important capital campaigns, but there is still a critical need for people to be as generous as possible through their gifts to the parish offertory collection.
"We need people to be aware of all that their offertory gifts are doing to build a future of hope for the next generation in northern Colorado," she continued.
For information on the Hearts on Fire campaign, call 303-715-3131.
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