This fall, we challenged our faith community to gather in faith, grow in love, and give with joy. And my heart has been full witnessing the many ways we have joyfully risen to this challenge over the past two months. We saw an inspiring response to our Basilica Fund Appeal in October, where we asked you to reflect on what about The Basilica brings you joy and commit to supporting that aspect through your giving. We enjoyed hearing the wide range of what brings joy, including the moving music to the fellowship and ministry programs that bring people together. For Basilica Give Day this year, we joyfully celebrated Fr. Joe Gillespie and his 55 years of ministry. Our initial goal of $55,000 was blown away as we raised over $90,000 – a clear sign that Fr. Joe’s presence is a source of joy for many.
Advent and Christmas invite us to continue our joyful giving, overlapping with what in the fundraising profession is called the “season of giving.” In fact, about 30 percent of annual charitable giving is done in the month of December, and 10 percent of all donations are made in just the last three days of the year.
In recent years at the Basilica, almost a third of our annual revenue is given in the last weeks of the year. Like our annual appeal, year-end giving supports everything you love about The Basilica, from our inspiring liturgies to our ministries and community outreach to the operations that make it all possible. We have also not been untouched by the rising costs of today’s world. We are committed to continuing our high-quality liturgies and ministries and are working hard to ensure we have the funds for them. At the same time, we are also mindful of our budget and how we use our resources. Please know that your donations are being wisely spent.
While I encourage you to continue giving with joy, keep in mind our year-end deadlines for giving during the 2025 tax year.
Deadlines for 2025 Giving
Check: must be postmarked by Tuesday, December 31.
Credit/debit card: must be received by midnight on December 31 at mary.org/give
or thebasilicalandmark.org/give.
For gifts of stock, retirement distribution, or through your donor advised fund, contact your financial advisor for the year-end deadline. Please note that the processing time for such gifts may be a week or more.
If you need assistance, please contact Sue McGuigan in the Mission Advancement Office (612.317.3421 or smcguigan@mary.org) or Char Myhre in the Finance Office (612.317.3498 or cmyhre@mary.org).
Thank you for your generous financial gifts and all the ways you support our Basilica community.
Nathan Mueting
Managing Director of Mission Advancement