Inspired by Bishop Edward Malesic’s December 2024 pastoral letter, “A Flourishing Apostolic Church,” the Called to Flourish: Our Church for the Future campaign invites parishioners to play an active role in sustaining the Church’s mission. The initiative is focused on strengthening parish life, worship, evangelization, and service, and it is already building momentum with remarkable success.

As the endeavor continues through June 2028, every parish will embark on a six-month campaign. Parishioners will hear more from their pastor as their parish’s campaign wave approaches. To date, campaign facilitators said all nine parishes in the pilot group have exceeded their fundraising goals, demonstrating what they call “a powerful sense of shared responsibility and sacrificial generosity across the diocese.”

Father Tim Gareau, pastor of St. Colette Parish in Brunswick, one of the pilot wave parishes, said he sees Called to Flourish as an opportunity to strengthen his connection with parishioners during his first few years as pastor. Throughout the campaign, he heard about the aspirations of longtime parish families and together they identified priorities ranging from parking lot renovations to long-term investments in the parish endowment fund, to expanded formation and evangelization opportunities.

“St. Colette parishioners responded to this intentional leadership with remarkable generosity, not only surpassing their diocesan goal but also reaching their ‘stretch’ goal with enthusiasm,” Father Tim said.

Dennis Taljan of St. Ladislas Parish in Westlake recalled when his pastor, Father Mark Latcovich, asked him to help lead the campaign at the parish.

“I didn’t immediately say ‘yes.’ I prayed about it,” he said, then after discerning the invitation, he committed fully and became part of the parish leadership team, attending weekly meetings and helping to organize gatherings in his home for fellow parishioners to learn more about the campaign.

“The result was overwhelming support,” Dennis said, noting St. Ladislas quickly reached its goal and then met its challenge goal.

For Dennis, the campaign represents something bigger than fundraising. “We are building physical and spiritual infrastructure,” he said.