(video) Archdiocese of Chicago: A Success Story

The Chicago Story reflects on the “surprising success” of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s 2000-2003 Millennium Campaign, Sharing Christ’s Gifts. Why surprising? As Cardinal Francis George and several of his pastors and lay leaders tell the story, there was reluctance on the part of many to do an archdiocesan-wide campaign. Many were not familiar with the principles of Christian stewardship that made this campaign about so much more than just fundraising. Some feared that the economic challenges of that time would prevent the Archdiocese from achieving its ambitious $200 million goal.

But the Millennium Campaign was a dramatic success. Thousands of people participated. Parishes from every economic, ethnic and geographic region of the Archdiocese joined together in a spiritually enriching process that far exceeded everyone’s expectations. And perhaps most surprising of all, $243 million was raised in support of the Church’s mission! As Director of Development, Ray Coughlin says, “making this the most successful diocesan campaign in the history of the Catholic Church!”