Frequently Asked Questions about Blessed Today, Blessing Tomorrow: A Campaign for St. Josaphat Parish
Why a Campaign now?
In our 125th anniversary, we are the beneficiaries of a campus that has been built by succeeding generations.
Our needs now are increasing as our parish community thrives. The generosity of those who have gone before us gives us the courage to believe in the future of St. Josaphat Parish.
Two years ago our strategic plan outlined the need for a Capital Campaign and the planning began. Next, we conducted a Feasibility Study to determine readiness for the campaign and a campaign consultant was hired. Throughout this extensive planning process, we have considered the best way to address the pressing needs of the Parish.
What is the goal of the Campaign?
The Campaign will raise $5 million dollars.
What will the funds be used for?
$4 million will be used to build new classrooms to accommodate our growing school enrollment, update the infrastructure in both the original Parish Hall/School building and the Primary School building, repay the loan we received in 2008 to build new bathrooms in the lower parish hall, to renovate existing facilities and to create new school classrooms.
$1 million will be used to address infrastructure and maintenance issues in the church and rectory and update the facilities to make both structures safe, secure and functional, as well as create additional meeting and office spaces.
How long will the Campaign last?
The 3-year Campaign will be implemented in phases over the course of the next 6 to 9 months. We invite all parishioners to be part of Blessed Today, Blessing Tomorrow: A Campaign for St. Josaphat Parish.
With so many good charities asking for our support why should we make a major commitment to St. Josaphat that might limit our support for these efforts and impact their effectiveness?
We hope that each parishioner is able to reflect deeply and consider all the aspects of what a substantial commitment to the Blessed Today, Blessing Tomorrow campaign means. The generosity of our parishioners is impressive and appreciated for many causes. We know that our parishioners can understand the important needs of our own Parish in addition to other needs.
Our Campaign, Blessed Today, Blessing Tomorrow is in response to a significant, immediate need in the Parish. After two years of careful study and planning we launched our Campaign. Right now, right here in our community, we have the possibility to make changes that will impact all of us. When the needs arose to expand the school to serve a flourishing population of families with young children and address infrastructure issues in all our campus buildings, we had to ask those who call St. Josaphat their “Church to Come Home To” to help through sacrificial gifts.
For the next three years we are asking that you make Blessed Today, Blessing Tomorrow the primary focus of your generosity. We are not asking you to forget or forgo your other charitable interests. We are asking that you consider the role St. Josaphat plays in your life and that of our neighborhood.
Right now we need to invest significantly in our Parish. We understand the appeal of so many other good causes. Right now, our Parish has needs that only our parishioners can address. We cannot appeal to everyone in the City, State, or even the Nation as other charities can. We can look only to you.
St. Josaphat has been “A Church to Come Home to” for 125 years. There is a legacy of generosity in the Parish. By giving generously to St. Josaphat, you are not only aiding a significant need but also becoming part of this legacy and teaching by example the power of stewardship to others. We hope not only to build buildings, but a culture of support for our Parish that has withstood so many trials already.
How should I think about my pledge?
A decision to make a gift to the campaign is just that - a decision. It requires thought and time, so that it is integrated with your other financial decisions as part of a careful, intentional response to God’s generosity in your life.
Giving should be proportionate or commensurate to what God has given us. There has always been the idea that a tithe, a tenth of our pre-tax income, is a standard by which to make a decision about giving. Some suggest you give 5% to your Parish and 5% to other charities you choose to support. No matter how you decide to make your gifts, they should reflect our level of gratefulness to God for our blessings. It was this idea of “blessings” that lead to the name for the Campaign for St. Josaphat, “Blessed Today, Blessing Tomorrow”.
The term “Sacrificial Giving” is often used to frame a discussion about our response to request for our support. Our gift becomes sacrificial when it comes from our substance rather than our abundance. When we give out of substance, we are changed in the process. We have given away something we thought we needed for ourselves. This decision can change our life. This choice is possible only if we believe that our security lies not in our material goods but in God.
Your decision to support “Blessed Today, Blessing Tomorrow” will take into account a wide range of personal, family, financial, and spiritual issues. A prayerful approach to giving taking into account our blessings will create the blessings for tomorrow.
