OUR LADY OF THE HILLS

Nestled in the hill country of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, Our Lady of the Hills parish was founded in 1868 as St. Mary of the Assumption in Haydenville. The current parish was organized in 2007 and continues to use the 150-year-old Church.

In 2021, the Bishop of Springfield, the Most Reverend William Byrne, informed parish leadership that the parish was essential to the ministry of the Church in the Hill Towns and needed to move forward with a campaign to make needed building code repairs to the Church and other parish buildings. Greater Mission was hired to assist the parish raise a minimum of $500,000 to complete the most critical projects. A challenge goal of $600,000 was also announced.

By December 31, 2021, an incredible 70% of the active families had participated in the campaign, and the parish raised $719,290 in gifts and pledges.

Under the leadership of the pastor, Rev. Richard Bondi, and a great campaign leadership team, the Greater Mission campaign plan focusing on parishioners making their best sacrifice and discerned their gift as a Decision of Faith, the parish launched the campaign in September 2021. Through the hard work of Fr. Bondi and the campaign team, by December 31, 2021, an incredible 70% of the active families had participated in the campaign called “Doing Great Things for Christ” and the parish raised $719,290 in gifts and pledges. This total represents nearly 4 times the total offertory of the parish.

Greater Mission Executive Vice President and Partner Anthony Gwiazdowski commented, “Working with such a dedicated pastor like Fr. Bondi and his team was a real joy. The parishioners were very grateful for the prayerful and private approach to giving and responded with tremendous generosity. This was truly a great experience and we feel very privileged to have served this remarkable parish community.”