The Catholic bulletin., 1920-10-23
RUNNING A CHURCH CAMPAIGN

campaigns. They think more about
the material side of the Church dur
ing a week Of concentrated effort than
they ever learned throughout life
time. They become impressed with
the fact that the worshipper owes
more to Almighty God than his pres
ence during Mass on Sunday. The
lesson is brought home that while he
is accumulating wealth, his bishop and
priests are burdened with financial
care; that If he joined in their efforts,
time necessarily spent in material
works could be devoted by them to
spiritual labors. The average worker,
rich or poor, profits socially and spir-
itually while he is deyoting his time
and talents for the Church in these
modern money crusades.
Congregations become acquainted
during the meetings and dinners. AS
soldiers in the ranks they enjoy the
daily results and when an "ovef the
top" finish. is announced, all have
reaped their reward in the conscious
feeling of faithful public service for
Mother Church at personal sacrifice
of time and money.
|. Pittsburs Successes.
AS far back as 1911, Right Rev. T..
Regis Canevin adopted the whirlwind
method of raising money. Rev. Law
renee O'Connell was in great need of
home for working girls in the down
town district of Pittsburg, which en-
braced his parish. A handful of men
unfamiliar with the plan formed an
organization, secured 60 or more teams
and within ten days $120,000 was, rails
ed In those days ST. Pauls Orphan
Asylum was maintained from the pro-
ceeds of an annual picnic and Christ
mas collection. The picnic engaged
the time of all the women of many
parishes for weeks before the event.
They made cakes, begged coffee, hams
and other supplies and usually 10000
was collected, half of which was profit.
Bishop Canevin, impressed by the dig
nified methods employed in the former
campaign, tried one for the orphans.
He asked for $250,O00 and secured
100000.
When the Knights of Columbus en-
tered the war work, the Supreme Of
fcers wired Pittsburg representatives
to raise $4,000. This amount was
considered so insignificant that the
old campaigners in previous drives got
together and decided to ask the public
| for $250,000 During ten days of the
| drive ~S4S0000 was collected. A wire
! to this effect gave the National lead
ers of the Knights some conception OF
| the possibility of raising money by
method and efficient organization. AS
proof that the Church does not wear
out her welcome in appealing to the
public, Bishop Canevin conducted a
diocesan drive in 1919 for Catholic
| charities in his diocese. He asked for
$500 900 and on the last night of the
campaign 100000 was reported.
Campaigns Stimulate Interest.
The reader will appreciate that the
success in these drives is due to the
training of the workers Every priest
is acquainted with his working forces
and when captains Or workers are re
(, quired, men and women familiar with
the plans are invited to participate.
1t is the experience of bishops aHd
priests that these campaigns stimulate
interest in church work The argp
ment used, during the dinners and Y
literature and newspaper publicity
| rarely fails to bring forth good fruit
One newspaper advertisement costing
sS4 caused rich man to increase his
subscription from $4,000 to $4,000. He
had vague idea that some day he
would make will and leave Ger
tain sum for charity. The argument
to "give while you live and enjoy the
pleasure of your beneficence" prompt
ed him to increase his subscription
People have to be trained to be liberia
in their financial aid for the Church
Money-raising campaigns are grea1
\ educators.
Some day the Catholics will unite
in National Movement to secure z
fund for some necessary and specific
purpose. What has been done in. the
Parish and the Diocese can be more
successfully accomplished in the Ma
ton. All that is necessary is the plar
on6 tho c1,cfou