Roman Catholic

  Archdiocese of Halifax

"On behalf of the Archdiocese of Halifax, I want to thank you for your wonderful contribution as keynote speaker at our 2004 Archdiocesan Stewardship Conference....  Your speaking and presentation skills, use of pop culture and the catechism of the Church combined to make the conference a very enjoyable experience.  All of us left the conference feeling re-energized."

- John MacRae
Director of Stewardship, Archdiocese of Halifax, N.S.

(Annual Conference Presenter and Keynote Speaker)

"Thank you again for spearheading the fund raising efforts at Sacred Heart Church and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church to help pay for the reprinting of the Archdiocese for the Military Services' Guide to the Rosary.  Twenty-five thousand of the Guides have now be printed.  Many are already in the hands of our troops overseas.  Please know of our heartfelt thanks for your hard work to benefit our troops.  We are truly greatful for your assistance."

- David M. Levite, Vice Chancellor

Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA

(Personal Fundraising Assistance to Support
Catholic Chaplains and Troops Deployed in Combat Zones)

"Michael O'Hurley-Pitts of Faith Matters is a master teacher and trainer in the arts of Christian Stewardship...  Michael has a rare gift for being able to challenge and push people, but to do it in a way that is beguiling and endearing.  I therefore give Michael and Faith Matters a high and enthusiastic recommendation.  He brings a theological and biblical perspective to fund raising that restores the deeper significance of Christian Stewardship."

- The Rev. Dr. William H. Willimon
Dean, Duke University Chapel

(Development Study and Campaign Plan Completed)

"Thank you so much for your excellent work in facilitating and leading our recent special all-day Clericus meeting in this Diocese.  I thought the day went extremely well and despite all the anxieties and tensions over the present disagreements in the Episcopal Church the tone was wonderfully respectful and calm.  I ascribe that directly to your careful planning and the professional way in which you conducted our proceedings.  You instilled a sense of trust and created a enviornment where deeply felt opinions could be expressed and heard."

- The Rt. Rev. Gethin B. Hughes
Bishop of San Diego

"The students appreciated your willingness to help them to contextualize stewardship in the life of the Church, both presently here on campus and for when they go forth as active parishioners elsewhere...  Your advice and encouragement in the area of stewardship has been valuable."

- Fr. Joseph Vetter
Director - Newman Catholic Student Center

Duke Univeristy

"In these first eight months of Faith Matters'counsel, we have been able to improve our financial position by over one million dollars.  In a year in which we held out scant hope for a balanced budget, we have been able to fully fund the annual cost of ministry, have added substantial funds to endowment, and have reduced our risidual debt.  Dr. O'Hurley-Pitts' stewardship teaching is much broader than simple dollars, but he often says, "stewardship is all that you do with your life after you say 'Yes' to Jesus."

- The Rev. Dr. Robert Certain
Rector - The Church of St. Margaret

(Annual Stewardship Consultation Completed)

"Faith Matters is to be commended, not only for helping to raise more money than others believed possible, but also for doing it in a very pastoral, sensitive and Christian manner."

- The Most Reverend Terence Finlay
Archbishop of the Diocese of Toronto & Metropolitan Archbishop of The Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario

"The outcome of our “Building for the Future” campaign can be measured in financial terms (we are now at $1.1 million, $350,000 above our $750,000 goal) but, equally important, it can be termed an exceptional success through the visitations and the spirit which has been increased among us all."

- The Reverend Hollis Hiscock
St. John’s York Mills
(St. John’s Exceeded Their Campaign Goal!)

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"Our financial goal was not only achieved but surpassed... even more gratifying was the number of people who participated and their level of support. The stress that Faith Matters placed on individual sacrificial giving and the importance of welcoming joyfully every gift of not matter what size proved to be very important. The way the financial campaign was run also ensured that the ongoing life of the parish was not overwhelmed by the capital campaign... that the focus was kept on the ministry. Faith Matters provided us with the expertise, the advice and the support to run a successful capital campaign at St. Martin's."

- The Reverend Canon Philip Hobson, OGS
The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
(St. Martin’s Exceeded Their Campaign Goal!)

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"As the campaign proceeded with a development study, the recruitment and training of parish visitors, and the visits to parishioners in their homes, there was a generally happy sense of "the universe unfolding as it should.... We exceeded our campaign goal in pledges by over 20% (much to our delight - and with a tinge of amazement)! We would certainly recommend Faith Matters' services to other parishes - and our experience also indicates that a modest-size parish (130 families) can complete a successful financial campaign with leadership of your caliber."

- The Reverend Richard Downey
The Church of the Holy Spirit (Mississauga)
(Holy Spirit exceeded their campaign goal)

- Sister Constance Joanna Gefvert, SSJD
Reverend Mother
Sisterhood of St. John the Divine
(Generated In-Kind Contributions to Convent)

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Your far-reaching and strategic approach to things hasn’t just motivated us to think about raising money; we are also thinking more intentionally about re-imagining mission and ministry"

- The Reverend Andrew Sheldon
The Church of The Messiah
(Development Study Completed)

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"Michael helped us to exceed our goal of $750,000 a goal that was $150,000 higher than that recommended by another financial development company… I found him to be extremely respectful of our parish's "culture," insistent in his definition of necessary tasks, and truly ingenious and resourceful."

- The Reverend Doctor Michael Thompson
St. Cuthbert's Anglican Church-Leaside
(St. Cuthbert’s Exceeded Their Campaign Goal!)

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"Faith Matters had conducted a parish survey at the beginning of the year that helped us to define our goals and assess the viability of initiating a Campaign at this time. The interviews generated valuable information for the Corporation and excitement among the congregation… While bringing his experience of other campaigns to us he is conscious of the things that make St. Aidan's unique."

- The Reverend Mark Andrews
The Church of Saint Aidan
(St. Aidan’s Exceeded Their Campaign Goal!)

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"After completing an extensive feasibility study for us… in which you told us that we could raise at least $300,000 (six months prior to that we were not sure we could raise $70,000)… your leadership empowered our parish to go ahead and fulfill our dreams.… And, we are bold to say that… we have raised over $513,785.00!"

- The Reverend Katy Waugh
Trinity Church - Port Credit
(Trinity Church Exceeded Their Campaign Goal!)

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"After listening to the original presentations, and then following up on references, you were our unanimous selection, and we certainly didn’t make a mistake…. You have given us clear direction throughout the process and have been sensitive to the unique character of this parish. I am most impressed with the hours you have spent on site and your commitment to maintain a spiritual focus. Your wisdom and experience has shown through in all you do."

- The Reverend Timothy Foley
All Saints’ - Kingsway
(Development Study Completed)

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"What impressed me most about [Michael], was that he was able to raise the sights of that community sufficiently to not only increase the amount which they published as their goal, but in fact to exceed that goal considerably in members' contributions and pledges."

- The Right Reverend J.C. Fricker
Retired Bishop of the Credit Valley
(The Redeemer Exceeded Their Campaign Goal!)

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"… More than this, people who might otherwise have felt alienated or unheard knew themselves to be cared for and - consequently - supported the campaign well… There have also been unexpected collateral benefits to the campaign. Not least are the wonderful pastoral connections that have been made between parishioners in the context of their campaign visits. We raised over $750,000.00!"

- The Reverend Canon Ansley Tucker
The Church of the Redeemer
(The Redeemer Exceeded Their Campaign Goal!)

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"… I would like to thank you for the care you have taken with regard to the people of this parish. Whether it is being sensitive to people’s pastoral needs or respecting the time and talents of those of us involved in the campaign, you continue to demonstrate your understanding of people and the unique character of the Church."

- The Reverend Canon Philip Poole
  Trinity Church - Aurora
(New Church Consecrated - Fundraising Completed)

- U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan
United States Senator – New York
(Remarks To United States Senate)

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“Your Leadership has enhanced our common life by encouraging a spirit of generosity and vision. Such qualities are in the best of the Canadian tradition.”

- The Honourable Bill Graham, M.P.
Toronto Centre - Rosedale

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- The Reverend Canon Chris Carr
Director, General Chaplaincy
Correctional Services Canada

(Faith Matters Conducted National Seminar)

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The Christian Jewish Dialogue of Toronto

“My first task this Monday morning is to thank you on behalf of the Christian Jewish Dialogue of Toronto for your catalogue of possible grant agencies.  To be sure, this in not something we could have achieved on our own"

- The Reverend Damian MacPherson, SA
Archdiocesan Director for
Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs & Chair,
Christian Jewish Dialogue of Toronto
(Grant Research Project Completed)

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"We are more than pleased with the manner in which Michael conducted this initial phase [the Development Study] of our work together. Due to his skillful manner in conducting our meetings and the interviews, we have decided to proceed with our Capital Campaign under his capable leadership."

- The Reverend Judy Walton

"As you know, the campaign [at The Church of the Redeemer] was successful in meeting its target – and then exceeding it by a further 50%. I know, as chair of the parish’s capital campaign, that this came about as a result of your leadership as the senior consultant on the campaign, and the attention you paid to setting the proper groundwork for volunteer selection, leadership and training and ensuring that the campaign proceeded in the context of a Christian view of stewardship"

- Christopher Riggs, Q.C.   
Vice Chancellor – The Diocese of Toronto

"The quality of life we enjoy in Ontario is greatly enriched by the hard work and dedication of individuals such as yourself. Your fundraising efforts for churches, universities and hospitals have a lasting impact on the community and help to improve the quality of life in our province. I commend you for your spirit, your vision and your active role in the community. Please accept my best wishes."

- The Honourable Michael D. Harris
Premier, The Province of Ontario