Gifts and pledges to the Millennium Campaign, “Sharing Christ’s Gifts,” have reached a record $220 million—surpassing the campaign goal by $20 million—making it the largest capital fund raising project ever conducted by any diocese in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.

The announcement of the campaign’s success was made Feb. 19 by archdiocesan officials at a celebratory lunch with parish representatives.

Parishes are using the funds to support education programs, to build new facilities for ministries and services and to renovate scores of churches and schools.

“These results are a wonderful expression of faith by parishioners of diverse cultural and economic backgrounds in virtually all our parishes. They are the true ‘good stewards’ who have responded to the larger needs of the local church in faith and gratitude for the many gifts the Lord has provided to them,” said Cardinal George.

“I’m encouraged that this campaign is serving to unite people in faith, worship and service to one another,” the cardinal told pastors and parish lay leaders who gathered to celebrate the announcement at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary.

“Despite a tough economy, the growing possibility of war, and a high-profile scandal in the Catholic Church, parishioners are pledging and contributing their hard-earned money at an extraordinary level,” said Jimmy M. Lago, chancellor of the archdiocese. “We’re very impressed by parishioners’ generosity. We’re also extremely grateful for the commitment of local parish lay leadership during this special campaign. It is our hope that all those involved have learned valuable lessons in stewardship, a hallmark of our faith.”

The three-year campaign, whose goal was $200 million, is funding the capital and ministerial needs of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s 374 parishes and facilities throughout Cook and Lake counties, Lago said. The campaign total is expected to continue to grow as new pledges are received until the conclusion of the active phase of the campaign in June. Lago said he will publish a full report on the campaign when it concludes.

The Millennium Campaign set a goal for each parish equal to the income from donations for a one-year period prior to the program’s launch in 2000. Each parish then determined its own critical capital and ministerial program needs. Eighty percent of all funds raised by each local parish will remain in the parish. Twenty percent of the parish goal will be contributed to major archdiocesan priorities—grants to the neediest of parishes and capital expenditures for two archdiocesan facilities.

The campaign is the largest ever conducted by any Roman Catholic diocese, according to the International Catholic Stewardship Council.

Funds support broad range of needs

Many parishes have plans to support special ministries, build school additions, parish libraries and computer centers, install elevators and renovate convents and rectories for parish staffs.

“Throughout all six vicariates (regions) of the archdiocese, new buildings are being constructed and long-overdue repairs and improvements are being made to churches, schools and other parish facilities,” Lago said.

Among the major accomplishments of the Millennium Campaign to date are:

- Grants given to needy parishes throughout the archdiocese for capital improvements;

- Extensive improvements including repairs of roofs, gutters, electrical and plumbing systems, installation of new heating and air conditioning systems, landscaping and paving of parking lots;

- Construction of a new retirement center in Lemont for priests of the Archdiocese;

- Repair and restoration of facilities at St. Mary of the Lake University and Seminary in Mundelein.