KIRKLAND, Wash. - Sometimes it's prayer that brings in the faithful, but a Kirkland Catholic church is counting on TV ads. Holy Family Catholic Church has funded a new television advertising campaign to reignite the faith with lapsed Catholics.
"Catholics have drifted away from the church and we hope these ads will remind them that we are here and available for them," said Father Kurt Nagel.
The campaign includes three different spots, ranging from a history of Catholic accomplishments to testimonials from Catholics who have returned to the church.
It's unconventional, but it sure reaches the target.
"You can't reach them because they are not there on Sundays but they are on their couch watching the NFL and you can run an ad and that will get them, and so I'm saying great, bring it on," said Father Nagel.
The campaign has already run in Phoenix, and Catholic leaders there believe their membership increased by 100,000 in one year, thanks to the ads.
"Even if we only get two or three members to return, then it is a success," said Father Stephen Szeman of Holy Family.
The idea for the campaign came from the parishioners at Holy Family. A member happened to be in Phoenix when she saw the ad and came back with the idea to run them here. The parish put out an appeal and within a couple of weeks raised half a million dollars to pay for the ad time on TV.
"This truly was a grass roots effort, and I hope it not only inspires people to return, but gives a boost to those who have never left," said Father Nagel.
The ads will begin running the week of Feb. 13. They will air throughout Western Washington until Easter. They will coincide with the celebration of Lent, when Catholics recommit themselves to God.
