The GIFT (Giving in Faith & Thankfulness) campaign was launched in Advent 2016 to support the archdiocese’s vision of a more vibrant, missionary and evangelistic Church. Every Catholic is challenged to pledge a monthly contribution for the archdiocese’s operational and building needs. This quarterly report updates on the campaign’s progress.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO DATE
Contributions through GIFT continue to be strong. Quarter on quarter, collections have grown from that of 2017.
A record $7.0 million was collected in this quarter, more than twice the previous quarter’s collection of $3.3 million. This surge in contributions was largely due to Shepherds Night and the generosity of givers to the St Francis Xavier (SFX) Seminary Building Fund. Funding was needed as the SFX Seminary Building approached completion, and the laity responded to this call.
Through this show of support, contributions to the needs of the archdiocese this year has reached $15.2 million.
With the prayers, support and encouragement from the Catholic community, there was an overall increase in giving to the GIFT campaign. With the exception of August, the giving increased month-on-month for this year as compared to 2017.
To date, GIFT has received $33.7 million since its launch in November 2016.
We are grateful for your love and support.
SFX SEMINARY BUILDING
Through the GIFT campaign, Catholic Foundation has raised $17.9 million to date, for the construction of the new SFX Seminary Building.
Both the St Francis Xavier Major Seminary and the Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore (CTIS) are now located under the same roof.
Sharing the compound with St Joseph’s Church (Bukit Timah), the seminary building is built on freehold land and is now equipped with upgraded facilities for the formation of future shepherds and for lay Catholics, for the archdiocese.
Archbishop William Goh blessed the completed SFX Seminary Building on 22 August 2018. This marked the end of the building project that began with a ground-breaking ceremony held on 26 October 2016.
BREAKDOWN OF CONTRIBUTIONS
