|
Volume 34, Number 1
|
Richardton, ND 58652
|
January 2006
|
Fr. Thomas to Head Development Office
By Fr. Terrence Kardong, O.S.B.
Fr. Francis dos Remedios relaxes on a courtyard bench. Since his retirement here
two years ago, he has enjoyed the peace and quiet. He can still participate in the
Divine Office, and the Mass, but he is happy now that his working days are over.
In recent months, the community has decided to establish a formal development office
for long-term fund-raising. Fr. Thomas Worde-kemper has been appointed head of this
new enterprise by Abbot Brian. Fr. Thomas served as the main administrator of our
recent successful capital campaign to renovate our church. Unlike a capital campaign,
we envision a much more low-key approach for this operation.
The reason why we feel we must undertake development work and fund-raising is that
we can foresee that our present means of self-support will not be sufficient to provide
for our future. With an aging and shrinking community, and considering our large
and elaborate physical plant, we need to cultivate donations. We have engaged the
Zielinski Company of St. Louis to help us approach this situation as effectively
as possible.
