The GIFT (Giving in Faith & Thankfulness) campaign is a rallying call to all Catholics in Singapore to support the vision of the archdiocese to be a more vibrant, missionary and evangelistic Church. Every person is challenged to pledge a monthly monetary contribution for the archdiocese’s operational and building needs.
A Good Start to 2018
Since the launch of Catholic Foundation’s GIFT campaign, $18.5 million has been collected from November 2016 to December 2017. These generous gifts have made a tremendous impact on the various building projects and archdiocesan organisations that are funded by the Catholic Foundation.
Now, into its second year, GIFT saw a good start for the first quarter of 2018 with $4.9 million collected, an increase of 42 percent compared to the same period of 2017.
Much of this generosity is due to the tremendous support for the St Francis Xavier (SFX) Seminary Building. Through parishes’ GIFT second collections, and online and mail-in contributions in January, $1.3 million was raised, doubling the usual monthly collections. Thank you to all who have responded generously to this special appeal.
Upcoming Initiatives
Catholic Foundation has planned various activities to continue to rally support for the vision of the archdiocese. Some key initiatives are highlighted below.
MONTHLY INTERCESSORY PRAYER SESSIONS
As GIFT goes beyond fundraising, monthly prayer sessions are being organised as a platform for Catholics to come together and pray for the archdiocese.
These sessions are held on the second Saturday of each month since September 2017 at the Annex of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. All are invited to come and lift up our intentions collectively. Those keen to join may contact Eileen at pray.cf@catholic.org.sg
MISSION MASS
Additionally, quarterly Mission Masses to celebrate the work to support the needs of the archdiocese are planned. These Masses will cater for a larger community of Catholics united in the common mission to give thanks for all the work of the Church. All are welcome to join.
Dates: 7 May 2018, (Monday) & 10 September 2018 (Monday)
Time: 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Venue: Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
Celebrant: Rev Msgr Phillip Heng
SHEPHERDS NIGHT @ SFX
Fundraising efforts for the SFX Seminary Building are still underway as more will be needed to fully fund the completion of this building project. Shepherds Night, promises to be a special evening hosted by the clergy and seminarians at the new SFX Seminary site on 28 July 2018, before the official opening of the building.
Catholics who are interested in helping to achieve the fundraising target and would like to participate in this dinner, should contact Caroline at seminary.cf@catholic.org.sg
Breakdown of Contributions
