Peace Crusade

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This extraordinary, urgent Ensuring the Future capital campaign, launched by the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in North America, will provide desperately needed repairs, upgrades, and resources to the schools of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the land where Christ walked, died, and rose from the dead.

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ENSURING THE FUTURE

OF THE SCHOOLS OF THE LATIN PATRIARCHATE

Conducted in conjunction with the North America Lieutenancies under the leadership of the Order’s Vice Governor General for North America, this critically needed $8 million campaign is dedicated solely to the approximately 500 classrooms and school facilities in the Latin Patriarchate.

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Life in the Holy Land Today

UNDER THE IMPACT OF COVID RESTRICTIONS AND Civil UNREST

Our capital campaign is the result of the Covid epidemic which continues to heavily impact Christians in the Holy Land. Quarantines and restrictions on travel ended pilgrimages and tourism in the Holy Land, crippling the major source of income for Christian families. While pilgrimages and tourism are returning, humanitarian aid is still desperately needed as families struggle to recover from the losses suffered during two years with virtually no income.

There will be no quick or easy return to normal in the Holy Land.

In response to this economic crisis, the Latin Patriarchate has redirected available funds to provide humanitarian aid for rent support, utility payments, food, and medical care to those most in need. The funds for this desperately needed aid have been taken from the long-term school funding for renovations and upgrades.

The lack of funding for repairs and upgrades to the schools has led to a decline in enrollment as parents seek a better standard of education for their children. Though there have been a very limited number of upgrades to some classrooms, the condition of the schools has reached the point that, even with a return to the previous funding levels, it is impossible to bring the schools to the standards needed for quality education without your help.

Our only Solution is a major capital campaign to address the physical needs of the schools and ensure their long term viability.

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Join the Crusade for Holy Land Schools

The Latin Patriarchate conducted a detailed study of all the schools and determined that a total of $8 million is required to bring the schools to modern standards.

Funds from the campaign will be allocated to every school based on its unique capital needs so that all schools can offer the best educational experience to the children who attend. This is a vital and urgent moment to save our Christian schools in the Holy Land. With your help, we can help improve the future for Catholic children in the Holy Land, and thereby the prospect for peace and stability in the region.

The Ensuring the Future Capital Campaign is being conducted through the Order’s Vice Governor General, North America Nonprofit Corporation, which has tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed under applicable law. Deductibility should be verified with your tax consultant. All contributions can be made by check, wire transfer, or electronic donation as a one-time gift or 3-year pledge.

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Frequently-Asked Questions

All about the “Ensuring the Future” Peace crusade

Why are we being asked to give to this campaign when we’re already supporting the Order’s efforts in the Holy Land?

The COVID epidemic closed the Holy Land to tourism for two years, depriving many Christians of their income. The Latin Patriarchate was thus forced to divert its funds from projects to humanitarian aid to help those with no income to pay for food, rent, and tuition. As a result, schools fell into a decline with a desperate need for repair and modernization.
In response, the North American leadership began planning a capital campaign to raise $8 million to repair and upgrade all the Latin Patriarchate schools in the Holy Land. But before this campaign could be launched, the war in Gaza started and the campaign was paused while the effects of the war on the Latin Patriarchate were assessed.
A meeting was held with the Latin Patriarch, His Beatitude Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa, to ask fi we should convert this campaign into one asking for humanitarian aid. His Beatitude stated that they are receiving humanitarian aid from other sources, but no one was supporting the schools. He asked that we not only continue our campaign but that we increase the goal by $4 million to help meet pay teachers’ salaries while Christians remain out of work. Thus, we have restarted our campaign with a new goal of $12 million.

If I make a pledge to the campaign, do I still have to make my annual contribution to the Lieutenancy?

Yes. Giving to the Ensuring the Future Campaign will be a sacrificial contribution over and above the Member’s annual contribution. In addition to supporting the various ministries in the Holy Land, the Membership’s annual contributions support the governance of the Order and are therefore required for our own financial stability.

How will our contributions be monitored so that we can be sure the money is used effectively?

Contributions will be forwarded to the Grand Magisterium, which will then send them directly to the Latin Patriarchate, whose staff will distribute the monies based on need and determined priorities and in close cooperation with the Order’s Holy Land Commission. The Patriarchate staff will report on the use of the funds for school repairs and teachers’ salaries. These reports will be available to the Membership on the Order’s North America website (https://eohsjnorthamerica.org/).

Are we seeking contributions outside of Order Membership?

Yes. Because giving through the Order means that every dollar contributed goes directly to the Latin Patriarchate via the Grand Magisterium, people from outside the Order who wish to support these efforts in the Holy Land can be confident that 100% of the amount contributed will go to those most in need. Also, the campaign leadership is approaching national and regional Catholic Charitable Foundations for their support.

How can vou assure me that we will not need to do this again in three to five years?

We are doing this campaign at the request of the Patriarch, and its goal is to provide for the long-term stability of the LPJ schools – including repairs, upgrades, and future employment for the teachers – and to bring the schools up to high
modern standards. Additionally, the repair work will employ Christians which also creates jobs. The income these Christians receive allows them to spend at the stores of other Christians which creates more jobs and provides a real infusion of
money into the economy.
Obviously, as we have seen with the war in Gaza, it is impossible to predict the future for the region, but this campaign, if successful, will establish a stronger, more stable, and self-sustaining LPJ school system that can build both toward a brighter future for the schools and a chance to promote peace.

How much are you expecting me to give?

These are extraordinary times. The very survival of the LPJ schools is now in question and with it the long-term stability of many Christian families in the region. We are asking you to contribute what is possible for you. Remembering that this is in addition to your annual contribution, we know that this is an extraordinary ask. As has been stressed, the Latin Patriarchate is receiving
adequate humanitarian assistance, and the Latin Patriarch, His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa, has specifically asked for urgent help with the cause of the LPJ schools and their teachers. Al of us are asked to contribute as much as we can, bearing in mind that donations may be fulfilled over a three-year period.

Will a Reserve Fund be established to help theschools on a permanent basis?

We are seeking to raise $12 million for the schools of the Latin Patriarchate. It goes without saying that our hope is to raise more than that goal. Once we have reached the official goal, we will then be able to consider the best use of the remaining funds. That might be the time to create a Reserve. However, our mandate is to raise the funds required now for the urgent needs of the Latin Patriarchate.

Is my contribution tax deductible?

All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed under applicable tax law.
Deductibility should be verified with your tax consultant. The Ensuring the Future Capital Campaign is being conducted through the Order’s Vice Governor General, North America, a Nonprofit Corporation, which has tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Fed. I.D. 88-1136679).