Parish Appeals

Speaking at Your Parish:

There are many factors to consider when asking to speak at your parish to ask for donations. We’ll outline a few suggestions below, however, be flexible and work with your Pastor and local CCO staff members to come up with a mutually satisfactory situation. Also if more than one person is participating in the mission from your parish it is key that you work together.

Before approaching a priest about speaking at your parish you MUST contact the local CCO campus leader (see below). This is to ensure collaboration, clear communication and that the priest isn’t being asked by several people. We want both students on mission and CCO staff members to be able to raise the money they need!

Our local campus team leaders are:

Please Note: If you are hoping to fundraise in the archdiocese of Toronto, please contact us first for more guidance as there are extra processes to follow.

IMPORTANT:

You cannot make parish appeals in parishes with which you do not currently have a relationship. (i.e. you cannot just randomly ask a parish for an appeal).

SETUP:

• Arrange a time to talk to your Pastor and share with him about your involvement in the mission trip and your need to raise funds.
• If your pastor is in favour of allowing you to speak at your parish, arrange a date when this will take place.
• Ask your Pastor if he would prefer to have a collection taken up on your behalf, or if he’d rather that you set up a table and people could make donations after mass (setting up a table is often better because it gives your individuals a chance to ask questions, and will also give them an opportunity to fill out a donation form and receive a tax receipt.)
• Meet with the parish secretary beforehand to put your contact information into the church bulletin for the week you’re doing the parish appeal and 2 weeks following.
• Have donation forms available for people to fill out. Individuals must fill out a donation form in full in order to receive a tax receipt. (Refer to the procedures here regarding cash donations, cheques and donation forms)
• You may wish to have your fundraising letter and donation form available in an envelope in case an individual wants information to take with them.

APPEAL WEEKEND:

• Pray, Pray, Pray! Listen to where the Spirit is leading! You have an opportunity to speak to the Lord’s flock and bring them hope. What is the Spirit saying? Prepare a script.
• Be confident with your script and let it flow naturally. People will respond to your passion and zeal for the Gospel. Remember your witness as a missionary is rare!
• Know your ‘ask’! This is the second most important part of your message, next to your key points which flow from prayer. If you are not clear with what you need, and confident in that, then people do not know how to help you.
• In terms of the amount of words you use when speaking, less is more; just deliver the message. We recommend speaking for no longer than 3 minutes.
• During your presentation, your dress is to be business casual (no denim) and professional. Remember, you are representing CCO and making an impression upon people through your appearance. CCO is a ministry of excellence so it is important you represent us this way.
• After Mass, stand at the back (with a friend) and a basket for people to put their donations

FOLLOW UP:

Send a thank you card to your parish priest and all those involved in making the appeal possible.

Click HERE for a sample parish appeal script. Ask a CCO Campus staff member or a CCO mission team member for help personalizing your script. All CCO missionaries are responsible for raising our salaries, and we are happy to share fundraising tips and strategies with you