Archdiocese launches historic capital campaign - One Church, Many Disciples

Archbishop Coakley has unveiled a five-year, $60 million capital and endowment campaign to build a shrine for Blessed Stanley Rother and fund worthy initiatives to strengthen and enhance Church ministries throughout central and western Oklahoma. 
 
This is the first-ever campaign of this size and scope for the archdiocese.
The One Church, Many Disciples Campaign aims to strengthen local parishes, build endowments for faith formation, renovate The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, honor Blessed Stanley Rother and create a fund to support retired priests.
 
The campaign is the culmination of Archbishop Coakley’s pastoral planning process from 2012-2015. After years of listening sessions, prayer and planning, Archbishop Coakley laid out three priorities for the archdiocese. 
“The Catholic Church is growing in Oklahoma and we want to be poised to build on that enthusiasm,” Archbishop Coakley said. “Faith formation, new evangelization and Hispanic ministry are central to the future needs of our faith community, and the One Church, Many Disciples Campaign will provide foundational support to fulfill these ministry objectives.” 
 
In addition to Archbishop Coakley’s leadership, the capital and endowment campaign is led by two co-chairs, Ken and Karen Kenworthy and Father Rick Stansberry. 
 
“As one Catholic community – one Church – we are called to come together in a spirit of evangelization and discipleship,” said Father Rick Stanberry, pastor of Christ the King in Oklahoma City. 
 
“Our campaign at Christ the King and in each of the parishes and missions in the archdiocese will help to transform the way we support the growth of parish-based and shared diocesan ministries.”
 
The campaign will contribute to four permanent ministry endowments at the Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma, which will provide long-term funding for the education of seminarians; for youth, young adult and campus ministry; faith formation and adult discipleship; and for Catholic schools. 
 
Jim Beckman, executive director of the Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis who recently joined the archdiocese from the Augustine Institute and Saint John Vianney Seminary in Denver, welcomed the innovative programs that will be made possible by the campaign.
 
“The future of the Catholic Church is going to be determined by how effectively we reach the young people of today,” Beckman said. “Leadership and discipleship are at the heart of the new evangelization. We are focused on developing leaders in the Church with a true vision for renewal, and the practical skills to actually implement it.”
 
The One Church, Many Disciples Campaign is timely because of tremendous recent growth of the Catholic population in the archdiocese as well as the excitement surrounding the recent beatification of Blessed Stanley Rother and renewed call to missionary discipleship. 
 
“We are beyond the days when Oklahoma’s Catholics were a mere 3 percent or 4 percent of the overall population. Today, Catholics make up more than 8 percent of the population in Oklahoma and we are a growing community. One Church, Many Disciples will ensure a vibrant and healthy Catholic family for future generations,” Archbishop Coakley said.
 
The Office of Stewardship and Development of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City is managing the campaign process. Peter de Keratry, executive director of the office explained that the 108 churches of the archdiocese will conduct the campaign in groups, or waves, through June 2019. 
 
The first 10 parishes, called pilot parishes, began the campaign in October and have already achieved more than 30 percent of their combined goals. 
 
Twenty-eight more parishes are scheduled to begin “Wave 2” of the campaign in March 2018 with additional waves of parishes starting campaigns in August 2018 and January 2019.
 
In support of the parish campaigns, Archbishop Coakley has a personal goal to raise $20 million or more from leadership gifts. The first 19 gifts received from leadership gift families total $15 million.
 
“I am tremendously grateful and humbled by the generosity and willingness of those I have visited to support One Church, Many Disciples,” he said. 
 
To learn more, visit the campaign website at  onechurchmanydisciples.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will participate in the One Church, Many Disciples campaign? 
All 108 parishes and missions in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City are participating in the campaign. All Catholic households in the archdiocese are asked to consider a financial pledge to One Church, Many Disciples.
Will my parish benefit from the campaign?
All parishes benefit from shared ministries funded through the One Church, Many Disciples campaign. Also, parishes receive 20 percent of their parishioners’ gifts up to the parish goal, and 50 percent of gifts over goal.
 
How is One Church, Many Disciples different from the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA)?
The Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) is a vital source of annual funding for many programs and ministries of the archdiocese. The One Church, Many Disciples campaign seeks to raise funds for specific needs including: a shrine for Blessed Stanley Rother, and for ministries focused on faith formation, new evangelization and Hispanic ministry. Some campaign funds will be placed into permanent endowments at the Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma to provide lasting sources of revenue for specific ministries.
 
Will my parish conduct the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) during the One Church, Many Disciples campaign?
The ACA will continue to be conducted during the One Church, Many Disciples campaign. Every attempt will be made to avoid parishes conducting the ACA during its active fundraising for One Church, Many Disciples.
 
How will this campaign impact the offertory of my parish?
Parish offertory is not expected to fluctuate during the One Church, Many Disciples campaign. Parishioners are asked to give above and beyond their regular offertory giving. Campaigns like One Church, Many Disciples can lead to increased offertory long term. Parishioners may engage more deeply with their parishes because of the campaign, and increase their offertory giving when their pledge payments conclude.
 
How can I be sure my campaign gift goes toward the needs outlined in the case for support?
The archdiocese has a moral and legal obligation to restrict the use of campaign funds for the needs stated in the case for support. Funds raised in the campaign will be used only as described.
 
What types of gifts are accepted?
Credit card payments and automatic withdrawal payments from bank accounts (EFT) are highly encouraged. Donors also may give by check or appreciated securities. Bequests and other deferred gifts may also be made.
 
Are gifts to One Church, Many Disciples tax-deductible?
All gifts made to the campaign are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Donors should consult a tax professional if they have questions about the tax treatment of their contributions.
 

Campaign Prayer
Almighty God,
source of all that is good and holy,
we give you thanks for your abundant blessings.
As many disciples, we are one Church,
called to proclaim the Good News
to all people.
Watch over the archdiocese in this campaign:
inspire us to be generous,
assist us in this effort,
and, like Blessed Stanley Rother,
give us joy in serving you now and forever.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Blessed Stanley Rother…pray for us!
 
Oración de la Campaña
Dios Todopoderoso,
fuente de todo lo que es bueno y santo,
te damos gracias por tus abundantes bendiciones.
Como muchos discípulos, somos una Iglesia,
enviada a proclamar la Buena Nueva
a todos los pueblos.
Vela sobre nuestra arquidiócesis durante esta campaña:
inspíranos a ser generosos,
asístenos en este esfuerzo,
y como el Beato Stanley Rother
danos la alegría para servirte ahora y siempre.
Te lo pedimos por Cristo Nuestro Señor.
Amén.

Beato Stanley Rother...¡Ruega por Nosotros!