Today I introduce to you Patricia Usyk. Mrs. Usyk has been our Development Director for ten years. During her tenure we have had two campaigns  " Building Together in Faith" which refurbished the parish plant as well as the new school.  Currently we are working on the "Growing Together in Faith Endowment Campaign" for the future of our parish and school.

Mrs. Usyk earned her Masters Degree at Barry University. Her postgraduate studies at Boston College and Creighton University are in the field of Educational Leadership as well as Development.  She is an adjunct Professor at Barry University and is a member of the Catholic Community Foundation in the Archdiocese of Miami. She is a frequent presenter at the N.C.E.A. Stewardship conference conventions, authored for the N.C.E.A. "Steps for Launching a Capital Campaign" and was a presenter in 1994 at the University of Notre Dame on "Building a Premiere Development Program in Catholic Schools."

As Monsignor invited us to share some of our ministries with you, I write on “Office for Institutional Advancement”, or as we call it, “Development Office.”

The Ministry of Development has its basis in the concepts of stewardship as outlined in the Gospel message. It is ministry to ask people to share; in whatever way they can, in the work of Church, to bring about Kingdom. Development is a people business in our parishes and schools. As a process or a science, it engages in those programs and activities that enhance the quality of service at the parish and the excellence of education in all our educational offerings. A parish or school that serves people and offers the very best of service, attracts other people! Those who have not been properly exposed to the development process, concepts and principles, have often defined development as “fundraising.”

Candy bars, wrapping paper, magazines—you name it, and substantial income may be generated by Catholic elementary schools. Development is concerned with establishing a strategic plan, improving the public relations of the school, marketing it, and securing support for the school in terms of human and financial resources. Development is much more comprehensive than fundraising. The basic approach and concepts of development and fundraising differ greatly. Development offers a long-term solution to a school and parish’s financial stability. Development fosters terms such as complete integrity, long-range planning, public relations, positive attitudes, good business management and substantial investments.

*NCEA , Kathleen C. Collins, SFCC
(NCEA – The National Catholic Educational Association)

However, as you can see, Fundraising is only a stopgap measure. It may keep a parish and school going for a while, but the results alone are not sufficient to assure a school’s survival for the future. Development has to do with long-range plans. Our premise is we will be here 100 years from now so that has set into motion a series of activities that will lead to a secure and successful future.

What about the Development Program at St. Gregory the Great Parish? This office began in 1992. In 1993 the feasibility study was conducted and long-range plans were laid and the “Building Together in Faith Capital Campaign” was launched under the supervision of this office. It was a historic time for our parish community. The campaign was launched for $4 million and reached altogether $5.1.This provided for our new school, gymnatorium, parking lot, refurbishment of the rectory and the ministry building. February 5, 1995 ground was broken for the construction of new facilities and parish renovations. These projects were completed in August 1995. All of this was totally paid by the “Building Together in Faith” Capital Campaign.

The unique program, Vision 2000 was conducted in January 2000 and our parish leaders worked with the Development Office. Our parishioners donated $1.7 million dollars to the Archdiocese of Miami.

The music studio was completely renovated in 2000 as well as the construction and expansion of the faculty dining area, the new conference room, a counselor’s office and a school bookstore. Installing all Pentium computers with Microsoft software, the Encarta series, once again enhanced the computer lab at the school. This was made possible by a grant from Microsoft as well as funding from Partners in Excellence and the funds of our auction.