UPDATE on Partners:
Chicago Office (continued)
“Partners for Sacred Places is doing an
excellent job in adapting [New Dollars/New
Partners] into Spanish to be used in the
different religious communities that have a
large Latino constituency not only here in
Chicago but through the United States.”
Dina Garcia, interpreter and New Dollars
graduate
Polish, and now Mexican immigrants. In conversation with
parishioners and staff, he identified important moments
and themes in the parish’s history, including its leadership
role as a community organizer in Pilsen and its pioneering
position as the first parish to offer a Spanish-language mass
in the neighborhood.
Building on their new fluency in these languages, the
trainees split into groups to brainstorm outlines for a
fundraising case statement. Each group drafted a case
statement that wove its assets, its economic impact, and its
heritage into a declaration of the parish’s identity.
Raul Raymundo, a parishioner at St. Pius V and President
of the Resurrection Project, a prominent Pilsen-based
nonprofit, wrote his group’s statement, which combined
the parish’s unique ministries, impressive scope, and rich
history, and concluded by citing the parish’s massive Halo
value in terms of the church’s return on investment, “Every
year, St. Pius is contributing more than $14 million to the
local economy through its many ministries. Every dollar
donated to the parish will have more than ten dollars in
impact.”
With a draft case statement in place, and a new knowledge
base about the language of investment, St. Pius V has the
momentum and knowledge it needs to grow. According to
Sister Beth Murphy, “The New Dollars/New Partners process
has provided a great foundation for my new ministry at the
parish. It created some good energy among the parish staff
and leaders and will help us toward our next steps as we plan
for an effective future of service to the community at St.
Pius V.” Father Chuck Dahm added, “The training offered
15 • Sacred Places • www.sacredplaces.org • Spring 2013
by Partners brought our staff and parishioners to a new
level of understanding of their potential and the wonderful
opportunities for the future.”
Dina Garcia adds, “This type of training program is
important for the Latino community in order for us to
understand and communicate the value of our parishes and
programs to others. New Dollars/New P \