So much has happened since the first newsletter article at the end of the summer reporting on the Feasibility Study to assess the readiness of parishioners to support a Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Capital Campaign at Saint Elizabeth. The study was successfully conducted back in March, and an initial report was delivered to Father Mullin in the late spring. The intervening months have surely been a time of great challenge in so many ways for us all! Now we are returning to this project begun in the spring, and we are forging ahead together to begin the work of the campaign which will culminate in the celebration of the parish’s milestone anniversary in the spring of 2025.
As you may be aware, a presentation of the Feasibility Study results was shared with the pastoral, finance and stewardship councils at a joint meeting in mid-September. Next, everyone was invited to attend an Open Parish Meeting on Sunday, September 27, to hear the details of how the Feasibility Study was conducted and to learn the results of the interviews our consulting staff conducted with 50 households (74 individuals). This presentation was also live-streamed on the parish website and Facebook pages, and remains available on the parish website for those who missed the meeting and want to learn more about the Feasibility Study.
At the close of the presentation, all parishioners interested in considering a volunteer role in the anniversary campaign were invited to an organizational meeting on October 13 in the parish social hall. We had a wonderful turnout of people and shared information on how the capital campaign team would be formed, the work of the individual committees, leadership roles and a projected timeline, so that parishioners could discern their participation in the project. The Power Point presentation given at this meeting is also available on the parish website for your review.
Since that meeting, we are thrilled to report that many fellow parishioners have stepped forward to offer their time and talent as a volunteer for the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Capital Campaign Team. It is a great pleasure to announce that several dedicated parishioners were invited by Father Mullin to accept roles as HONORARY CO-CHAIRS for the campaign; they are: Barry & Therese Bentley; Mike & Mary Ann Hughes; Joe and Holly Ippolito and Mary Mulherin. We thank them for their great generosity in giving their time, talent and treasure to our parish. Their leadership is inspiring and the campaign will benefit tremendously from their counsel. Cheers to all of you!
In addition to the Honorary Co-Chairs, the campaign team will be coordinated by outstanding and dedicated CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS, including Ray & Marilyn Boncek; Bill & Trisha Burke and Mike and Lisa Kyne. These couples will engage in all aspects of the project and help bring the campaign to life for the entire parish community. We are grateful for their willingness to lead; if you run into them in your travels, do offer a word of thanks for their service to Saint Elizabeth!
The active phases of the campaign will take place now through the late spring of next year. A team of parish volunteers are already working in the areas of Communications, Parishioner Outreach, Hospitality and Special Events. We anticipate having a number of modest-sized group gatherings in the parish social hall, designed to meet the applicable health and safety standards for face masks, social distancing and hand sanitizing, to be sure! Parishioners who prefer may also arrange to meet directly with a campaign volunteer to discuss their participation and commitment to the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Campaign.
There are opportunities for interested parishioners to help with the campaign in many ways as this great effort unfolds, and your active participation is most welcome! Stay tuned and do ask if you have questions! Look to the parish website for the latest information and/or call the parish ministry center (610-321-1200). Most importantly: PRAY EACH DAY for the success of the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Capital Campaign for Saint Elizabeth!
- Kathy Caliendo, LCDC Managing Partner