Catholic Diocese of Dallas Reaches $125 Million Capital Campaign Goal

The first capital campaign ever undertaken by the Catholic Diocese of Dallas has reached its goal of $125 million.

One of the fastest-growing dioceses in the country, representing more than 1.3 million Catholics in the greater Dallas area, the Catholic Diocese of Dallas launched the historic Our Faith… Our Future Capital Campaign in January 2013 and scheduled the completion in conjunction with a Mass celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Diocese of Dallas on October 3, 2015.

“We are truly blessed by the generosity of our faithful, who have demonstrated their inspiring charitable spirit in supporting this landmark campaign for our diocese,” said Bishop Kevin J. Farrell. The impact of the campaign will be far-reaching, as it will provide enhanced spiritual and educational experiences across the diocese’s 30 Catholic schools and 77 parishes, as well as at Holy Trinity Seminary, The Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe and Catholic Charities.

“This campaign is about transforming lives of our parishioners, our seminarians and the larger community,” added Bishop Farrell. The diocese has already distributed nearly $7 million in funding. For example, campaign funds have supported the opening of the new St. Philip & St. Augustine Catholic Academy in Pleasant Grove, providing new educational opportunities for hundreds of school children and their families in an underserved area of Dallas.

At Holy Trinity Seminary, the campaign is funding improvements to better support the development of young men discerning to become priests, who, in turn, provide spiritual guidance to hundreds of thousands of Catholics in the Dallas diocese and beyond. Other campaign impacts include new classrooms at Our Lady of Angels in Allen, ensuring greater accessibility to religious education for the thousands of parishioners in this growing community, and enhancements to the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, which serves the second largest congregation in the U.S.

Catholic Charities is also a major campaign beneficiary, receiving funds that enable the organization to provide services to tens of thousands of area children, individuals and families in need. Last year, Catholic Charities delivered more than 193,000 meals, helped more than 800 individuals find jobs, supported 18 families in the adoption of children, and served more than 450 low-income seniors and 450 children in area community centers.

Under the leadership of Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, the parishes raised almost $90 million, which includes eight combined parish campaigns whereby each parish raises funds for its own capital needs during the time of the diocesan campaign. An additional $37 million was raised with the help of a volunteer leadership committee guided by a six-member Executive Committee that included Norma and Harry Longwell, Lydia and Dan Novakov, and Mary and Rich Templeton.

The largest gift recorded to the campaign was $10 million from an anonymous donor in support of Catholic schools. Additionally, a generous gift of $5 million was given by Rosemary and Roger Enrico, along with three gifts of $2.5 million from Norma and Harry Longwell, Mary and Rich Templeton, and the Mike & Mary Terry Family Foundation.

Other key supporters, by donation amount, included:

$1 million to $2.499 million:
Priscilla and Bill Darling; Aileen and Jack Pratt; Jan and Thom Schliem; Marianne and Roger Staubach; Jere W. Thompson; and two anonymous donors.

$500,000 to $999,999:
The Estate of John Michael Aust; Marti and Jim Burke; Dannie and Dan Flaherty; Cathie and Ed Galante; Maria and Timothy Machelski; Barbara and Jim Moroney III; Jacalyn and Andy Schwitter III; Theresa and Mike Sinacola; Trudy Steen; Michele and John Stephens; Jodie Thompson; The Hoblitzelle Foundation; and one anonymous donor.

$250,000 to $499,999:
Constantin Foundation; Shelly and Tom Codd, Jr.; Karen and Charlie Gibson; Shannon and William Hadala, Jr.; Kathy and Hank Himmelberg; Margo and Jim Keyes; Sharon and Pat Lobb; Lydia and Dan Novakov; Dorothy and John O’Dwyer; Lisa and John Rocchio; Rosemary Haggar Vaughan Family Foundation; Joseph Stephan; Drs. Mayra and Jeff Thompson; and six anonymous donors.