THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 43, NO. 9 | OCTOBER 1, 2021
DOUBLING DOWN Dual campaigns work to benefit both the archdiocese and individual parishes
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
The crucifix at Christ the King Parish in Topeka is wrapped in a plastic sheet before construction workers texture and paint the ceiling above the altar.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Father Matthew Schiffelbein, pastor of Christ the King Parish in Topeka, surveys the progress of construction on the interior of the church. The church renovation is just one of the many improvements the parish is making. By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org
K
ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Not all the parishioners at Christ the King Parish in Topeka were sold on the unusual nature of their fundraising campaign four years ago. The reason? A pretty good chunk of the money wouldn’t go to their badly needed parish construction capital campaign, but rather to the archdiocesan capital cam-
paign. And Christ the King parishioners were not alone. When the “One Faith. Once Family. One Future . . . in Christ” archdiocesan capital campaign was launched in the spring of 2018, 10 parishes chose the option of running a co-campaign at the same time — some of the monies raised would go to parish projects and some to the archdiocese. Fortunately, most were open to the approach, and those that weren’t soon saw their doubts laid to rest. The dual campaign concept worked out well.
“Our parishioners were very generous and responded really well,” said pastor Father Matthew Schiffelbein. “We were a little concerned about it being combined with the archdiocesan campaign and we didn’t get to keep everything. But there seemed to be enough generosity and hunger for the project that they were really willing to step up and respond to the invitation. “About $1.3 million [of about $3.8 million raised] went to the archdiocese,” he continued, “and the remainder stayed with >> See “PANDEMIC” on page 7
Home at last Watch for exclusive coverage of the return of the remains of Korean War chaplain and hero Servant of God Father Emil Kapaun in next week’s Leaven.