Capital Campaign

“Make no mistake about this, my dear brothers and sisters; it is all that is good, everything that is perfect, which is given us from above”. James 1:16-17

January 8, 2009

Dear Friends,

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.”
                                                                                                                                                       Cicero

It is good to give thanks for the great progress made in the building and opening of our
new church during the year of 2008. Over 610 households contributed $565,046.29
during this past year. While final donations are still being calculated for the 2008
campaign, we did collect the highest amount in pledge dollars and individual contributions
ever. Thank you.

This 14 year journey has been one of many joys. There are now some final numbers and
updates to share. Due to higher than anticipated construction expenses, the final cost for
our new church was $8.9 million. Architectural fees ran close to $550,000. In Phases 1
and 2, $560,000 was spent in purchasing the new modular buildings, grading, and
demolition. Just over $4.7 million dollars was raised in the past 13 years. The difference in
what was raised and the final costs necessitated the need for a higher than anticipated
loan of $5.5 million dollars. However, 2008 was the year we moved into our beautiful new
church and continued to give thanks to God. Now, we must move forward in satisfying our
loan.

For the past two years, our community has responded with generosity to one year pledges.
When we began the one year format we assured you that the fundraising drives would
continue until the new church is built and the loan is paid off. Now that we are celebrating
Mass in our new church, it is a good time to move back to three-year campaigns, allowing
for a slightly lesser focus on fundraising during the next two years. Even though this is a
three-year campaign, adjustments CAN be made easily throughout the upcoming months.
The estimated time frame for paying off our loan now appears to be approximately 9 -10
years. This would hopefully mean a total of only three more three-year campaigns. While
this time frame seems long, most of us are paying on a 15-30 year home mortgage. It is
now time to begin our 2009 campaign, “United in Gratitude”.

Our goal for this three-year campaign is to raise $1.8 million in actual building fund
contributions, while maintaining the needed general income to sustain our day to day
operations. Increasing the building fund collection cannot be achieved by giving less to our
regular collection. The operating expenses of our parish will continue and must be covered
in addition to giving to our building fund.

The United States Bishop’s document regarding stewardship, Stewardship, A Disciple’s
Response, reminds us that the concept of sharing our time, talent, and treasure is a faith
response. “All members of the Catholic community are called to accept their baptismal
responsibility to place their gifts, their resources, their selves at God’s service in and
through the Church”. A Christian steward is defined as “one who receives God’s gifts
gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares
them in justice and love with all, and returns them with increase to the Lord”. Christian
stewardship is not an option, it is an obligation. This year we have seen a great increase
in the response of all parishioners in giving of time and talent. A piece of the stewardship
response includes our financial obligations as well. We must all give back to God from
the firstfruits we receive each week or each month. This is a concept worthy of
consideration and prayer each day. If we all embrace this definition of stewardship, we
can sufficiently minister to everyone, achieve our capital campaign goal of $1.8 million
over three years, and still receive the needed weekly funds for our operating budget. Our
Promise Cards completed during the summer of 2008 have already positively impacted
our weekly collection and our ability to meet expenses. Thank you.

During the coming weekend of January 10th and 11th, we will prayerfully celebrate
our “Pledge Weekend”. Enclosed, you will find the pledge card and return envelope
needed for this opportunity. During Mass, all parishioners will be given the opportunity
to present their pledge commitments (pledge cards and initial gift) in a sealed envelope
before the altar of our Lord. While all of us cannot give equal amounts, we CAN all give
with equal sacrifice. Our hope is that those who have pledged before can share an
increase of 10% over last year for 36 months; OR, for those new to the campaign, a
minimum pledge of $100 per month for 36 months is asked. We thank you in
advance for your sacrifice and prayers. All gifts are gratefully received and necessary.

Let us all receive gratefully the blessings bestowed upon us by God and return them with
increase.

With gratitude,