Gift Campaign January 2019 Updates

GIFT Campaign Report
(1 January 2018 – 31 December 2018)

The GIFT (Giving in Faith and Thankfulness) campaign was launched in Advent 2016 to support the archdiocese’s vision of a more vibrant, evangelistic and missionary Church. Every Catholic is challenged to pledge a monthly contribution for the needs of the archdiocese. This report updates on the campaign’s progress.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO DATE

From the start of the GIFT campaign in November 2016 to the end of 2017, $18.5 million was successfully raised. In 2018, Catholic Foundation sought to continue the fundraising momentum and focused its efforts on fundraising for the St Francis Xavier (SFX) Seminary Building and for Bethany East, a new home for retired priests.

Through the support of parishes and the generosity of Catholics all over Singapore, a total of $19.2 million was collected for the operational and building needs of the archdiocese. This brings the total raised through GIFT to $37.7 million.

During Advent 2018, the GIFT appeal was renewed with emphasis on the laity being co-responsible for the mission of the Church.

The future of the Church does not rest solely on the shoulders of the clergy, but with the laity using their God-given gifts too. Thank you for your generosity thus far. We look forward to your continued support.

ARCHBISHOP’S MESSAGE

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The Archdiocese of Singapore continues to prepare the way of the Lord by building a more vibrant, evangelistic and missionary Church. We have many organisations working tirelessly to make our pastoral vision a reality, but all of us need to do our part too. There are three ways every Catholic can help – pray, act, and give.

We need to pray for the Church, for her leaders and especially her faithful to be guided by the Truth, and be resolute in living out our calling to be the light of the world.

Prayer needs to be accompanied by action. The Church needs every member of the faithful – whether lay, religious or clergy – to do their part, giving in humble service whatever talents each has been endowed with. Collectively, we can make a difference in our society by being an alternative voice.

There is also a continuous need for resources to support our work of evangelisation. Many of you are already contributing to the GIFT campaign, and for that, we are very thankful.

I urge each of you to continue to respond to God’s blessings by contributing what you can, in faith and thankfulness, so that the work of reinvigorating the Church and the faith of our Catholics can continue.

Finally, I urge all of you to pray for the realisation of our vision of the archdiocese. We should not deceive ourselves into thinking that success in our mission is solely dependent on our actions alone. We are called to trust in God’s grace. Pray with us and for us, that God will send us the miraculous catch for His kingdom.

May God’s blessings of peace be with you as we await the coming of the Lord.

Most Rev. William Goh
Archbishop of Singapore

BUILD THE CHURCH TODAY FOR TOMORROW

Pick up a GIFT envelope, or click on the images below to play your part in the mission of our Church. All contributions, big and small, will make a difference in building the Church today for tomorrow.