American Martyrs

From the Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,

It is tempting for me to wait and let others complete our Called to Renew Capital Campaign. After all, our Church refurbishment is mostly completed. We are happy with the sense of what we have accomplished. So why not forget the campaign? Because that is not how we do it at Martyrs. We don’t leave the burden to others. We don’t look just at the now, we look to the future. That is why I have decided to put this aging face into the wind and move forward with you to complete what we have begun. 

We started the “silent” phase of the campaign before Covid hit, raising more than $6 million in pledges toward our $10 million goal. Although the campaign was postponed, the pledges allowed us to go ahead with the renovations, confronting the many challenges the pandemic would undoubtedly bring. Despite the challenges and setbacks, I thank God we did. 

We returned to a beautifully updated church, and we kept our commitment to the poor community of Salesian artisans in Chacas, Peru, who we had asked to carve the American Martyrs in our sanctuary and to fabricate the wood and marble wainscoting for our church. I met two of their leaders recently who told me that, without our help, their community may not have survived the pandemic and many may literally have faced starvation. 

So, our campaign interruption was not a cessation. We will finish what we started. When we reach our goal, we will have covered the full $7.4 million cost of the renovation and will have provided $2.6 million to the broader church and to the poor (see reverse). If we exceed our goal, 25% of every dollar will go to our outreach ministry to the poor and the remainder will be reserved for future building maintenance and renovations. I am eager to see this through with you, and I ask you all to join me to the finish. 

I continue to be honored and grateful to be your pastor. 

Peace in Christ,

Rev. Msgr. John F. Barry, P.A.