For parishes or missions with a good idea that has suffered due to lack of resources, the Parish Development Grants can stimulate you to turn the crank and get started.

Cash grants of approximately $1500-3000 are made annually to a number of worthy parishes in the Diocese.

These parish grants are inspired by the grants provided annually to mission parishes of the Diocese. The difference is that, unlike Mission grants which tend to be larger and are used to support day to day operation of small struggling missions in early stages of existence, Parish Development Grants are:

• available to missions or parishes

• designed to provide stimulus to begin specific new ministries or further strengthen existing parish ministries.

• involve specific effort - effort undertaken by the parish and its members.

• potentially yield useful insight or tools that can be used by other parish or mission communities.
  

To receive an award parishes need to submit an application, prior to the annual deadline (July 15, 2011). The decision on which parishes will be awarded grants will be made by the Diocesan Parish and Mission Development committee appointed by the Diocesan Bishop.

Further information can be found here in a document that provides background for parishes desiring to submit an application.

As a first step, parishes considering applying for a grant are encouraged to contact Joe Kormos, Parish Development Ministry leader, to receive more information about the grant process, assistance in defining the project and to receive suggestions for potential grant worthy projects.  

 2012 Backgrounder (pdf)

2012 Application (ms word)