ASSISI, Italy — Bishop Michael Martin was among a group of Franciscan friars who witnessed the historic exhumation of the relics of St. Francis of Assisi on Feb. 21. The saint’s remains were removed from their crypt in the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy, to be displayed for public veneration in honor of the 800th anniversary of his death in 1226.
St. Francis of Assisi is a beloved Catholic saint known for radical humility, deep love for Christ and joyful poverty. Bishop Martin is a member of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, founded by St. Francis in the early 13th century and dedicated to living the Gospel as St. Francis modeled.
The Catholic Church has declared 2026 a jubilee Year of St. Francis, with special pilgrimages and celebrations in Assisi. Pilgrims will be able to venerate the saint’s remains in the basilica until March 22 – a rare and deeply revered event that is expected to draw thousands from around the world. For more about the jubilee year, go to www.charlottediocese.org.
— Photos provided
Effort aims to benefit parishes, manage growth and inspire discipleship
CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte is launching a major philanthropic effort aimed at strengthening parishes, expanding charitable outreach and responding to rapid growth across the western half of North Carolina.
“Making Room – for More to Know the Love of Jesus” aims to raise $150 million, the largest fundraising initiative in the diocese’s 54-year history. It also emphasizes stewardship – inviting people to reflect on how God has blessed them and the diocese, and to participate in a spirit of gratitude and discipleship.
Nicknamed the “Making Room Challenge,” the effort comes in response to the region’s significant growth and pastoral needs arising from that growth. The diocese’s increasingly diverse Catholic population now exceeds 575,000 – a gain of nearly 11% over the past five years.
“We stand at a pivotal moment in western North Carolina,” said Bishop Michael T. Martin, OFM Conv., in a letter introducing the challenge. “Our rapid growth, enriched by many cultures and languages, compels us to strengthen our local Church and ensure that every person has the chance to encounter Jesus Christ.”
The effort is inspired by Bishop Martin’s broader pastoral vision for the diocese to be a place where “Everyone so loves Jesus, we share Him with others,” which emphasizes moving beyond passive participation in the faith toward active discipleship and outreach.
Already, generous donors have contributed $24.2 million in “leadership gifts” spearheaded by the bishop.
Guided by extensive feedback from clergy and thousands of donors and parishioners, the “Making Room Challenge” will invest in parishes, Catholic Charities, Catholic schools, under-resourced parishes and land acquisition for future growth. It focuses on three key pillars:
- Outreach to people in need ($42 million): The challenge earmarks $29 million for the diocese’s Catholic Charities agency, including $19 million to expand “its physical presence and the reach of its life-changing programs in communities where demand continues to grow,” the diocese said in information materials. The remaining $10 million for Catholic Charities will be set aside in an endowment to help sustain and grow its programs. This pillar also designates $13 million for under-resourced parishes for urgent needs or chronic challenges.
- Strengthen faith communities ($63 million): This pillar allocates $50 million to support parishes. Money will go toward construction, repairs and expansion projects to help to meet growing demand for worship and education space. Some funding will be set aside in endowments to generate revenue for ongoing program support. This pillar also designates $5 million to support Campus Ministry, and $8 million for strategic land purchases for future growth.
- Secure the Church’s future ($45 million): With enrollment in Catholic schools up 20% over the past five years, this pillar allocates $20 million for endowments that will generate funding for financial aid, teacher training and enhanced learning environments. It also designates $10 million for more lay leader and catechist training, and $3 million for formation of seminarians and deacon candidates. And $12 million will go to expand the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory as a retreat center for parishes and groups.
Every parish and mission will benefit from this diocese-wide effort, diocesan officials said, with parishes keeping 50% of the funds they raise for local capital projects, ministry needs and endowments. Parishes that hit certain stretch goals will also retain 100% of any additional funds.
“It’s true that many pastors are not always eager to talk about finances, but we all understand what it takes to sustain a parish and help it thrive,” said Father Patrick Cahill, chair of the “Making Room” clergy advisory board and pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte. “In my role as chair, I’ve seen a genuine enthusiasm for this initiative – not simply as a fundraising effort, but as an opportunity to strengthen each parish’s mission. There is a shared recognition that, together, we can multiply the good being done both locally and across the diocese.”
The “Making Room Challenge” will be conducted at all 93 churches in four phases over the next two years. Seven pilot parishes will kick off their campaigns in June: Holy Angels in Mount Airy, St. Aloysius in Hickory, St. Eugene in Asheville, St. Joseph in Asheboro, St. Margaret of Scotland in Maggie Valley, St. Therese in Mooresville and St. William in Murphy.
The effort will continue in groups of 25-30 parishes every six months through June 2028.
The diocese’s first campaign of this scale was conducted over a decade ago and raised $55 million. “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” focused its support, among other things, on parish ministries and renovations, Catholic Charities, Hispanic Ministry, seminarian education and priests retirement, and Catholic school building projects and financial aid.
The new initiative responds to growing pastoral needs of an increasingly diverse Catholic population moving to western North Carolina from around the world. More than half of the diocese’s Catholics are Hispanic, and Vietnamese communities in Charlotte and Greensboro are also growing.
Demand for Catholic education and charitable assistance also continues to rise, even as some parishes – particularly in rural or impoverished communities – struggle to meet basic needs.
Like the previous campaign, the “Making Room Challenge” also emphasizes endowments and planned giving, designed to provide ongoing support for parishes and ministries well into the future. Half of the $150 million is earmarked for endowments, and parishes are encouraged to put 25-50% of the funds they raise into endowments.
“Planned giving and endowments turn a moment of generosity into a legacy of faith,” says diocesan development director Jim Kelley. “They help sustain the work of the Church long after the fundraising challenge ends.”
Bishop Martin and Kelley also stress the “Making Room Challenge” is more than about financial giving – it’s about forming disciples, engaging with others and sharing responsibility for the Church’s mission in the western half of North Carolina. People will be invited to participate through prayer, engagement and a financial pledge as well as a planned gift in their estates – all with the goal of expanding the Church’s ability to serve a growing and changing community.
“The success of this moment is not simply measured by dollars raised,” Bishop Martin said in his letter, “but rather by how we engage with the Church and how we reflect God’s grace in all aspects of our lives.”
“Its greatest spiritual fruit,” he said, “will be witnessed when each Catholic in our region takes these steps in faith: Prayerfully reflect on the blessings God has given me (Psalm 136), determine to give back not from my surplus, but from my want (Mk 12:41-44), (and) know that the God of plenty will bless me even more when I trust Him (Jer 17:7-8).”
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle
Outreach to People in Need: $42 million
Strengthen Our Faith Communities: $63 million
Secure Our Future: $45 million
