In 1996, Fr. Sean McGrath and I were assigned to the parish of St. Columban’s, LA. Fr. Sean recently had completed a ten year stint in Belize, and I had worked in a parish in Zambales on the island of Luzon, Philippines. Fr. Sean’s assignment was to raise funds for the education of our future Columbans in the Far East and Latin America. My assignment was to be pastoral administrator of the parish.
Fr. Sean started his work by holding a mammoth raffle. The first year he raffled off an automobile as the first prize. The results were phenomenal. Following the success of the first year, he decided to offer a Mercedes Benz the following year. I thought he was crazy, but it was successful beyond our wildest dreams. The next year, he offered two Mercedes Benz, and he doubled the funds raised for the education of future Columbans.
To increase the excitement and community involvement for the raffles, Fr. Sean booked a five star hotel to supply the venue. He convinced a local restaurateur to provide a delicious gourmet dinner at a very low price. And, he made sure that anyone could win a superb automobile for one dollar.
Fr. Sean literally brought people to the table for fellowship and fun. It was very rewarding and fulfilling work. Fr. Sean secured the future educations of Columban seminarians by involving local parishes and their parishioners in the fundraising process.
Fr. Colm Rafferty is retired after many years of mission work and currently resides in Ireland.
Fr. Sean started his work by holding a mammoth raffle. The first year he raffled off an automobile as the first prize. The results were phenomenal. Following the success of the first year, he decided to offer a Mercedes Benz the following year. I thought he was crazy, but it was successful beyond our wildest dreams. The next year, he offered two Mercedes Benz, and he doubled the funds raised for the education of future Columbans.
To increase the excitement and community involvement for the raffles, Fr. Sean booked a five star hotel to supply the venue. He convinced a local restaurateur to provide a delicious gourmet dinner at a very low price. And, he made sure that anyone could win a superb automobile for one dollar.
Fr. Sean literally brought people to the table for fellowship and fun. It was very rewarding and fulfilling work. Fr. Sean secured the future educations of Columban seminarians by involving local parishes and their parishioners in the fundraising process.
Fr. Colm Rafferty is retired after many years of mission work and currently resides in Ireland.
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