Our community is excited to participate alongside all parishes, missions and Catholic centers in the Archdiocese to strengthen and renew our Church for the future. Please continue reading to learn how this campaign will benefit us.
It is with immense joy and heartfelt gratitude that I announce the launch of Called to Renew at St. Bernard´s. This campaign will provide much-needed funding for parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, including ours, as well as strengthen important ministries and programs that affect us all.
Each parish has been given a goal for the campaign. Our goal is $530,000, of which 50 percent will remain at our parish. We will also retain 100 percent of the funds we collect over our goal. If our campaign is successful, we will receive a minimum of $265,000 to address our own needs.
St. Bernard´s has a rich history in Bellflower. Called to Renew will ensure we can continue to be a vital presence in our community. Details about how we plan to use our share of campaign funds are on the following page.
Please take a moment to prayerfully discern how you can most generously support this campaign. I also encourage you to consider making a five-year pledge, which will allow us the best opportunity to reach our goal. This is a wonderful parish, and I am amazed at how our community has always worked together to meet needs that arise. I know you will do whatever you can to make this campaign a success.
We entrust our Called to Renew campaign to the intercessions of our Blessed Mother and our patron, St. Bernard of Clairvaux.
Pledged over 5 years for the Called to Renew Campaign.
Our Parish Receives
$265,000
To renew our parish and strengthen ministries.
Parish Needs
Solar System
Conserving energy by becoming a green parish is important to our community. With Called to Renew funds, we plan to install a 63.3 kw solar system on the school and interconnected parish hall electric meter. The system is projected to save $18,588 in the first year and pay itself back in 9.2 years. Our goal is to expand the system across different buildings on our campus in the future.
Friendship Hall Safety and Beautification
Friendship Hall is viewed by many parishioners as a pleasant location where most of our church activities, weekly friendship socials, ministry and group meetings and small events including our Sunday Coffee & Donut gatherings are held. As we prioritize safety and maintenance, we will use Called to Renew funds to install fire protection sprinklers and replace the plumbing. In addition, we will beautify the hall making it more vibrant by replacing the laminated floor with tile which will be easier to maintain.
Sanctuary and Church Renovations
We are often asked if our sanctuary is under renovation and the reason is, it seems incomplete or simple. The altar is the focal point when we gather inside the church and spiritually the center of our lives. With Called to Renew funds, we will renovate our sanctuary and church by improving the building materials in the Sacristy and Altar, updating furniture, extending the AC/Heat into sacristy, replacing the windows in the sacristy and flower room, and replacing plumbing and fixtures in the church restrooms. The proposed renovations will center us towards our Eucharistic Jesus and make us complete as a community.
Parish Center and Rectory Renovations
Wonderful plans and growth are happening in St. Bernard’s Parish therefore we plan to maximize the use of the Parish Center with renovations. Our plans include renovating the 1st floor of the rectory to convert it to our Parish Center which will house two new offices and one break room for employees. These renovations will improve use of space to be used by the Associate Pastor and Office Manager.
A Bold Plan of Renewal
We — the Catholic faithful — are the agents of renewal for Church and society. I am grateful for this opportunity to walk alongside clergy and parishioners in strengthening our parishes and ministries, the heart of our Archdiocese.