Capital Campaign
What is the Our Faith ~ Our Legacy Campaign?
In its sixth decade serving the Catholic community of Central Texas, the Diocese of Austin is one of the fastest growing of the 195 dioceses in the Roman Catholic Church in America and the 15 dioceses in Texas. Comprising 25 counties and over 20,000 square miles, the diocese is now home to more than 400,000 Catholics in 125 parishes. Between 1990 and 2003 the Catholic population in the diocese increased by almost 90%, compared with an overall population increase of 44%. In the next 25 years, it is estimated that the Catholic population of the Diocese of Austin will double again, to more than 800,000.
The tremendous growth of the Catholic Church of Central Texas has challenged our parish families and stretched financial capabilities. These exciting and extraordinary changes taking place in our diocese require a new and different effort to provide the necessary resources to sustain this growth. Through a thorough planning process, eighty-five clergy, religious and lay leaders of parishes throughout the diocese completed a strategic pastoral plan in January 2003. The plan outlined many challenges and opportunities in all areas of ministry including priest availability and vocations, family life ministries, social concerns, Hispanic ministry, parish religious education, formation and evangelization, Catholic schools, diocesan staff, facilities, and stewardship. It became apparent that the plan was solid, but more financial resources would be needed to fulfill the mission of the diocese.
In the fall of 2004, Bishop Aymond and other diocesan leaders began discussing ways to ensure that financial resources are available to implement the plan. After much discussion, the decision was made to study the possibility of conducting the first-ever Capital and Endowment Campaign to meet the many demands of a young and growing diocese in Central Texas. Based upon the positive results of a professional planning and feasibility study conducted in early 2005, the diocese is moving forward with a comprehensive campaign to transform our communities of faith and strengthen the Catholic presence and tradition throughout Central Texas. Guided by the Holy Spirit, our campaign is an important step in building a strong and vital Church for the future.