Greetings,
I remember thinking that this past summer was a busy one for Busted Halo® Ministries. Well, summer was a day at the beach compared to the frenetic pace of fall. So far, September and October have flown by at breakneck speeds, but have also been very productive and fruitful. And I am grateful for the many ways the Holy Spirit has enlivened our ministry.
- The culmination of our year-long strategic planning process has led us to launch a series of national focus group studies with young adults in their 20s, which will help us develop creative and effective ways to reach the elusive Millennial generation.
- NBC Nightly News sent cameras into our “Busted Halo® Show” radio studios as we were covering the exciting — and at times controversial — events during the Synod of Bishops in Rome. I also provided commentary on a couple of national news programs during the Synod.
- Our annual Backyard Mass & Dinner in Colorado, hosted by donor volunteers, was attended by nearly 200 people, a new record. We are very grateful to Kevin & Erin Klau for the gorgeous venue of their backyard, for all the planning, for the food and drink they provided, and for inviting so many new people to learn about our ministry.
- We also set another record at the Backyard Mass by raising just over $21,000 in donations and pledges for new and renewed monthly support — a sum that was matched by generous benefactors to Busted Halo® for a total of $42,000 raised at this one event. Thank you, Colorado!
- I am pleased to announce that our outreach to young adults will benefit greatly from a very generous restricted grant that will go towards the long overdue redesign of BustedHalo.com and a foray into new forms of digital content.
- Speaking of things that have been aging, I am humbled and very thankful to all of you who made birthday gifts to Busted Halo® on the occasion of my 50th birthday. We raised just over $36,000 from donors for our “50 at 50 Campaign.” Gifts from $1,000-$5,000 were donated by six generous benefactors. Thank you! I have also taken this as a sign that you still would prefer to think of me in my mid-30s. Me too!
I hope you join me in rejoicing for the many things we have to be thankful for this fall. You, our supporters, express your gratitude in notes to us, by volunteering your time and talents, and by making financial donations to our ministry. As we approach the holiday season, Busted Halo® is busier than ever with new projects and programs to reach out to young adults with a message of hope. A donation from you would help us continue to reach out in timely and meaningful ways.
Blessings,
Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP
Executive Director