Development Office

The Development Office of the Diocese of Brownsville procures ancillary funds from outside sources to meet the pastoral, educational, charitable and administrative needs of the local Church. Parishes, missions, schools, departments and ministries of the Diocese of Brownsville may receive guidance and technical assistance in the formulation of a proposal to private Catholic foundations or other prospective donors. Every attempt is made to match a particular project with a source of support.

Ancillary funds are not intended to cover the full cost of any project, rather, they are intended to supplement the efforts of the local faith community in seeing a project through to completion. These funds are generally obtained in one of two ways. First, a parish subsidy is awarded to a parish or mission with a proven need for assistance. The Parish Needs Committee, comprised of three priests and three laypersons, is presented with applications from our parishes at the annual spring meeting. Requests are typically awarded for pastoral staff salaries, including priests, religious and laity, catechetical instruction, youth ministry and evangelization programs.

Second, a parish may request permission from the Bishop to apply for funding from a private Catholic foundation. These requests are typically for bricks and mortar projects such as a new church, rectory, classrooms, parish hall, etc., but some pastoral programs may also qualify for funding. All requests submitted to a Catholic foundation require the Bishop’s endorsement so it is particularly important to keep the Development Office apprised of any attempts to solicit funding from these sources.

The Development Office presently consists of one full time Director and a part time clerk. The Stewardship Office, whose aim it is to develop the full potential of a parish’s existing resources, is currently vacant. For information on obtaining a parish subsidy or private foundation grant, please contact Jesse Salinas at (956)550-1548 at the Lower Valley Catholic Pastoral Center.

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church Las Milpas Colonia of Pharr, Texas This new parish was formed from the territory of the former Mission of Sacred Heart. The Catholic Church Extension Society and the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation contributed generously toward the construction of the church and rectory.	Holy Spirit Church Progreso, Texas The church had not been restored since its construction in 1969. Many families in the area were attending services in neighboring towns. The severe drought damaged the foundation and masonry construction of the church. Grants from the Catholic Church Extension Society and the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation provided for the expansion of the sanctuary and the restoration of the entire church and adjoining rectory. A diocesan subsidy funds the work of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Holy Family at this parish and two dependent missions.	Saint Joseph Church Lull, Texas This mission of Sacred Heart parish in Edinburg, Texas has seen a sharp increase in the religious education program. A grant from the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation helped fund the annex to the education building.
Saint Anne, Mother of Mary Church San Perlita, Texas This mission of Saint Anthony parish in Raymondville, Texas serves a rural area of northeast Willacy County. The former church was deemed unsound, yet the faith community was unable to raise sufficient funds for a new church. The Catholic Church Extension Society, the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Diocese of Brownsville funded the construction of this modern countryside church. A diocesan subsidy funds the religious education program at Saint Anne, Mother of Mary church.	Public displays and expressions of faith are common among the Roman Catholic majority in the Rio Grande Valley. Here, a family has depicted the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Guadalupe on the outer wall of their home.	Blessing of van for Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Holy Family for use in evangelization ministry. The gift of the van was made possible through a grant from Catholic Extension.

, Development Office Director
1910 East Elizabeth St • Brownsville, TX 78520 • Phone 956-550-1548 • Fax 956-542-6751

last updated 19-Sep-2008 13:30 sitemap