Detroit — Five years ago, the Changing Lives Together capital campaign was launched to strengthen parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit.

The bold, ambitious campaign announced by Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron was intended to “identify the resources we need to for (the archdiocese’s) mission.”

Four years and $120 million later, Changing Lives Together has done just that, and more as 76,000 families spread across 226 parishes have donated to the stewardship initiative.

“As we proceed through this special Year of Mercy in the Archdiocese of Detroit and the many initiatives that are being undertaken to energize us and mobilize us to ‘Unleash the Gospel’ and bring the saving and healing touch of Jesus Christ to more of our neighbors, it is important to remember and be grateful to God for the many blessings that have been bestowed on us through the Changing Lives Together initiative,” Archbishop Vigneron said in a statement.

All together, the campaign has raised approximately $120.27 million, with nearly $100 million in fulfilled pledges already received and an estimated $15 million in pledges still being paid through parishes. Nearly $5 million has been pledged through planned giving.

Of that total, $74,237,668 has been returned to parishes as part of the campaign’s structure, which designates 70 percent of the total funds raised for the purpose of strengthening parishes both financially through debt reduction and institutionally through capital improvements and other projects. This May, $2,360,583 is expected to be given back to parishes as the campaign begins to wind down.

For parishes that owed debt, 75 percent of the funds received are allocated toward debt reduction, with 25 percent designated to parish improvement projects until debt is paid. An estimated $10-15 million in parish debt has been paid off, according to the archdiocese, leaving participating parishes in a stronger financial position.

“I’m so grateful to our parishioners who worked so hard on this effort and who gave sacrificially,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “I’m also grateful to the leadership of our pastors for this amazing success, and the many good works that have been done in our parishes as a result.”

Changing Lives Together has facilitated capital improvement projects across the archdiocese, with many highlights featured on the campaign’s website, www.aodclt.com.