Arkansas Catholics to give from the heart

Published: November 27, 2018

The following article was originally published in Catholic Charities Connections, a special section of Arkansas Catholic, on Nov. 24, 2018.

By Patrick Gallaher
Director, Catholic Charities of Arkansas

One Church: Unite Arkansas in Faith and Mission is the title of a new program in our diocese. Nearly two years ago, Father Erik Pohlmeier came to me to ask a question on behalf of the diocesan Presbyteral Council: Could Catholic Charities of Arkansas handle a campaign where the parishes in the diocese were asked to help a single parish that needed a boost of assistance?

The congregation at St. Luke Church in Warren
overflows out the front door during Mass Aug. 19,
2018. For the parish's one weekend Mass, people
often have to stand in the doorway or in the sacristy
next to the altar because there are not enough seats.

This was something that Catholic Charities had been doing for a couple of years on a small scale: matching the needs of a small rural parish with the resources offered by a larger, established parish looking to accomplish in-state mission work. With this context in mind, I said, “Yes” to Father Erik’s question.

For the first year of the program, the Presbyteral Council has selected St. Luke Church in Warren as the inaugural target of the efforts of the rest of the parishes in our diocese. This program began in September and will run for the benefit of St. Luke Church until the end of August 2019, when another church will be chosen to receive assistance.

The church buildings in Warren are small and nearly 100 years old. The church itself and the adjacent rectory are badly in need of extensive repairs. The buildings are situated next to one of the main, and very busy, roads leading into Warren. Because the church’s construction predates the time when there were many cars, it has no parking lot.

The goal should be that every Catholic in our diocese, from youngest to oldest, should think about St. Luke Church and donate something from the heart.

For Sunday Mass, parishioners must park in the shopping center lot across the street from the church. On Sundays, the church does not comfortably hold all of the parishioners. Big sisters hold little brothers on laps as families crush into pews to find seats. Latecomers stand, lining the walls and crowding the doorways to hear Mass. The former rectory, used as the religious education building, is just as limited and fails to meet the needs of the parish family.

When the parish plans an event, planning includes weather prayers because all activities must be held outdoors to accommodate the numbers of people attending. During this past year, the parish has been able to purchase a property that was once Warren’s farmers co-op. There are buildings — a large warehouse, offices and a four-space garage — located on a 10-acre, fenced plot. The required renovations will be costly, but only a fraction of the expense compared to building from scratch.

To afford these expenses, the parishioners have started a capital campaign. For this first year, it is this capital campaign that will be the main focus of One Church: Unite Arkansas in Faith and Mission. Rather than a single diocese-wide second collection, this yearlong effort contemplates that each parish in the diocese will find its own way to support the families of St. Luke Church.

Funds could come from individual donors, groups or parishes. Money could be raised through second collections or through money-raising projects. The goal should be that every Catholic in our diocese, from youngest to oldest, should think about St. Luke Church and donate something from the heart.

Since September, donation checks have been steadily arriving. While the initial results are heartening, this project must keep momentum throughout the year to be successful.