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.
When Pope John XXIII prepared to open the Second Vatican Council, he recalled that as a child in Bergamo, he would sit on his uncles’ shoulders to watch his town’s processions — reminding everyone that we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us.
This is an exciting time in our Archdiocese. Archbishop Gomez is calling us to a time of renewal — a spiritual renewal as well as a renewal of resources. To ensure our local Church is strong and vibrant for future generations, St. Francis de Sales Parish is walking alongside our sister parishes in Called to Renew. I am excited to invite you to be a part of this initiative to strengthen parishes and elevate ministries of our Archdiocese.
Each parish has been given a goal for the campaign. Our goal is $1,100,000, of which 53 percent will remain at our parish. We will also retain 100 percent of the funds we collect over our goal. In other words, if our campaign is successful, we will receive a minimum of $585,000 to address our own needs.
St. Francis de Sales has come a long way from its humble beginnings — a testimony to the courage, faith, and generosity of our grandparents and parents on whose shoulders we now stand. Now is an opportune moment for us to walk in the courageous, faith-filled, and generous footsteps of those who came before us and ensure our community is a vital presence now and in the future. 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 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 always works together to meet needs that arise. I know you will do whatever you can to make this campaign a success.
Pledged over 5 years for the Called to Renew Campaign.
Our Parish Receives
$585,000
To renew our parish and strengthen ministries.
Parish Needs
Air Conditioning for the Parish Auditorium
The auditorium in our 70-year-old school building lacks air conditioning, which often makes our meetings and events uncomfortable. Installing a new HVAC system for the entire building will also provide air conditioning to the kitchen and heat to the library, benefiting school and religious education students as well as parishioners and visitors. We will also upgrade the electrical system and replace classroom windows where necessary.
21st Century Science Lab
In the mid-1990s a science lab was established in the red brick building. Renovating and upgrading our science lab with new technology will allow us to create a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) center. In this STEM and Maker space lab students will explore engineering and coding, robotics, and 3D design and modeling. Our science lab will be a space in which students work collaboratively using design thinking to invent, build and test prototypes in response to real world problems, documenting their process through storytelling, filming, podcasting, and a variety of other media.
Video Monitors in Church
More and more churches are streaming the hymns and parts of the Mass on monitor screens placed on the side walls of the nave and side chapels. Installing video equipment, screens and an operation unit will enable us to stream the words of hymns as well as close-ups of significant events such as First Holy Communion and Confirmation onto monitors to increase participation and interest.
School Security
Our school perimeter is secured by an 8-foot tall chain link fence. Installing new and electric gates at the four driveway entrances and adjusting the existing fencing will enhance access as well as security.
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.