Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
November 8 , 2000
Hearts on Fire is building a future of hope
The following is the text of an audiotape played in parishes in recent weeks to highlight the vital role of Hearts on Fire in building a future of hope for northern Colorado. Moderated by Archbishop Charles Chaput, the presentation includes testimonies by Sister of Charity of Leavenworth LaVonne Guidoni of Mount St. Vincent Home; a student at Bishop Machebeuf High School; and Redemptorist Father Kyle Fisher, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Denver.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
I'm very glad to be with you today, at least in spirit and through this audiotape, to talk to you about stewardship and Hearts on Fire. First, I want to thank you for your generosity which is evident in the many good works we've been able to accomplish both at your local parish and throughout the archdiocese. Stewardship is the good management of our God-given resources of time, talent, and treasure; and the sharing of our resources is a sign of faith and gratitude. As your bishop, I'm very grateful for the generosity that is so evident everywhere in our local Church.
But now I'd like to focus specifically on Hearts on Fire. Some of you may ask, "What exactly is Hearts on Fire?" In 1996, the Archdiocese of Denver began to address some key strategic needs throughout our Church. At that time, we committed to a five-year effort to help finance several critical needs. But instead of launching a typical capital campaign, this campaign is financed through your local parish offertory giving, where your personal stewardship is most direct.
We are about to enter the fifth and final year of Hearts on Fire. The results so far are best described by the people who have already benefited from your generosity. I have asked three friends of mine to share with you how Hearts on Fire has affected their lives. Here is Sister LaVonne Guidioni to tell you about Seeds of Hope — the Hearts on Fire program for Catholic School tuition assistance for families in need:
Sister LaVonne Guidioni: Recently, I met a father of one of the children who had received tuition assistance from Seeds of Hope. He was beaming as he told me about the success of his five children in research, higher education and the work force. All of which was due to the fact that they received tuition assistance for their elementary education in one of our inner city Catholic Schools.
Archbishop Chaput: Thank you sister. Another project of Hearts on Fire was the construction of new facilities for our two Archdiocesan Catholic High Schools. I'd like now for one of the students at Bishop Machebeuf High School to share what the new high school has meant to the young people there.
Student at Bishop Machebeuf High School: There is such a sense of family integrated in the spirit that exists in all the students throughout the whole school. The smell of fresh paint and the brand new desks really make us feel welcome at our new home. So on behalf of all of the Machebeuf families, and from the bottom of our Buffalo hearts, thank you.
Archbishop Chaput: It's wonderful to hear her enthusiasm! Another need which Hearts on Fire addresses is the support required by many of our poorer parishes when something unexpected comes up. Father Kyle Fisher has some words on how Hearts on Fire is helping him revitalize his inner-city parish.
Father Kyle Fisher: Because of the Hearts on Fire program, sponsored by the Archdiocese, St. Joseph Church on 6th and Galapago, received over $17,000 to help repair the gutters and downspouts of the Church, which were practically rotted out. Without those funds, the Church could not have accomplished those repairs that were vital to the preservation of the building.
Archbishop Chaput: In addition to the stories you have just heard, Hearts on Fire is also helping Catholic Charities to open a new day care center for the economically disadvantaged. Other key projects of Hearts on Fire include support for retired priests, and the development of religious education programs to address our needs in this new millennium. In all, seven critical needs are to be funded by Hearts on Fire.
We have one final year to bring Hearts on Fire to a successful conclusion, and to complete the goal of 34 million dollars for these major programs. We need an outpouring of generosity to meet this goal. Because Hearts on Fire is funded through your weekly parish offertory, I'm asking every one of you to be as generous as you can in making your offertory pledge this month for the coming year. By accepting the challenge of sacrificial giving, we can meet our obligations as a Church family to those in need who are depending on us.
Thank you for your help and for your time today. May God bless you and give you peace.
