We may consider having a special collection for an organization that helps the poor & does not already get money from our tax dollars.  Organizations are invited to complete a written Request APPLICATION for consideration in advance, by August 1, prior to the year of the collection.  (We hope that applications are sent as soon as possible any time during the year so that we get a date on the calendar.). 

Each year special collections may happen at "a moments notice from the pastor" if there is a disaster or great priority need.  This means that any special collections that we schedule for organizations can be postponed or canceled at the discression of the pastor of St. Francis Parish. 

The months that appear to be "open" for scheduleing a possible special collection in advance could also go without a special collection.   We generally like to schedule one special collection each month because we like to reach out beyond ourselves in support of many worthy acts of charity.  But, we also could let a month pass without a special collection if we believe that the community needs a break or a rest time. 

Special Collections can be taken up for our own St. Francis Parish projects to help the poor.  Traditionally we have scheduled 2 collections each year for our Parish St. Vincent de Paul fund, which is used to assist the poor and needy.

Special Collections are scheduled for Publicity/public official approval from our parish, as well as for Money.  We have a limited number of opportunities for this kind of public official approval.  Some projects don't really need or want public recognition.

Some of our funding priorities can be addressed by using our St. Vincent de Paul fund.   For example, if the shelter for homeless, or the Friends in Deed direct emergency assistance fund, or a charity is in need of financial assistance then we can give them money from our St. Vincent de Paul fund.

The St. Francis Parish Peace & Justice Committee will review the requests that are submitted by the application process, and suggest appropriate collections for the "open" dates.

The St. Francis Parish - Possible Future Special Collections application request is at: www.stfrancisa2.com/socialministry/specialcollectionpossible.htm

The St. Francis Parish Social Ministry Office sets dates for these collections.  Normally the date is on the third Sunday of the month.

Before we, our Peace & Justice Committee sets any dates for Special Collections in 2011 June - November I will get the dates from Dave.  We will try to help synchronize these dates.   Ideally Dave would like to have only one second collection on any one weekend.  And, ideally Dave would like to have no more than two collections in one month.

One example of how this can cause a conflict is when we schedule:

- on July 18, 2010, a St. Vincent de Paul Special Collection, and,
- on June 20, 2010, a St. Vincent de Paul Collection envelope is already in the parishioners packet, and,
- on June 20, 2010, a Holy Cross Children's Services Special Collection is scheduled on the same day/weekend.

Another example of how this can cause a conflict is when we schedule:

- on November 21, 2010, a St. Vincent de Paul of St. Francis Parish, and,
- on November 28, 2010, a St. Vincent de Paul Collection envelope is already in the parishioners packet, and,
- on November 21, 2010, (Sunday before Thanksgiving) the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Collection envelope is already in the parishioners packet.

----

- 1- January ----	______________________
- 2- February ---	(If it is LENT then NO Special Collection.) (For exapmle: LENT begins on Feb 21, 2007 so there will be NO special collection scheduled in February of 2007.
- 3- March = LENT ---	Could be a 5 week "Fund Drive" like: Tile Drive or  Rice Bowl during LENT. ______________________
- 4- April = Holy Thurday ---	______________________
- 5- May ---	(NO Special Collection.  DSA is still on.)
- 6- June ---	St. Vincent de Paul of St. Francis Parish -1 (also in parishoners envelope packet on 2011-06-19).
- 7- July ---	______________________
- 8- August ---	______________________
- 9- September ---	(NO Special Collection if it is TIME & TALENT weekend. Wait.  Assume "closed".)
- 10- October ---	______________________
- 11- November ---	St. Vincent de Paul of St. Francis Parish -2 (also in parishoners envelope packet on 2011-11-27).
- 12- December --	(NO Special Collection, due to so many other charitable efforts already happening.)

NOTES: "*"CLICK HERE for an explantion of notes.
 

Communications & Notes to the The Organization Recieving the Special Collecion This year 2006 our Special Collections at St. Francis Parish will include your organization: Special Collection on Sunday, October 15, 2006, - Food Gatherers.  We need to submit a bulletin FORUM article for your organization by no later than noon on the Thursday, 2 1/2 weeks before your collection weekend.  (see examples in this email below.) Submit a bulletin FORUM article by Thursday, September 28, 2006, - Food Gatherers.  And, We need 1000 collection envelopes for your organization by no later than noon on the Thursday, before your collection weekend. Deliver 1000 collection envelopes by Thursday, October 12, 2006, - Food Gatherers.  Your work is valuable to us. See a list of organizations that will get a special collection at: http://www.stfrancisa2.com/socialministry/specialcollections.htm Peace, Scott   -------------------------- This year 2006 our Special Collections at St. Francis Parish will NOT include your organization, Friends In Deed. We are really sorry about this because your work is valuable to us, so, know & trust that we plan to support your work through our parish St. Vincent de Paul fund. See a list of organizations that will get a special collection posted at: www.stfrancisa2.com/socialministry/specialcollections.htm Peace, Scott -------------------------- -------------------------- The envelopes, which you describe, will be fine. (They are 5 3/4 x 4 1/2 and are self-addressed to The Organization Recieving the Special Collecion.   Inside the envelope there is a reply card asking for the usual info.:  name and address, email (optional), credit card donation option, a place to check if they are interested in volunteer opportunities, etc.) At the Mass we invite people to make checks payable to: "St. Francis Parish & NOTE: The Organization Recieving the Special Collecion." We also tell them that there are envelopes at the ends of the pew that they may take home and bring back the next weekend. After about two weeks the St. Francis Parish Office will send one check to The Organization Recieving the Special Collecion.  (Some of our parish members like this because it keeps them from getting on a mailing list just because they made a donation.) We have found that people give more money if we supply envelopes because it is a convenient reminder.  Your envelopes will work fine.  (Special Collections could be taken up without the use of envelopes.) They also may result in some of our people mailing it directly to you (hopefully making the check out to "The Organization Recieving the Special Collecion").   Some Special Collection Recipients simply mark (with a colored marker the edge of) the envelope so that donations mailed directly to The Organization Recieving the Special Collecion can be noted as from St. Francis Parishioners also. Also, I look forward to seeing your bulletin FORUM article by noon on the Thursday 2 1/2 weeks before your collection weekend date. Respect, Scott

Contact the Parish Social Ministry Office,  .