Dear Parishioners,
By now, some of you may have heard of the capital campaign, Beyond Sunday, that the Archdiocese of St. Louis in conjunction with the Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri is spearheading. This capital campaign has a two-fold dimension to it.
The first part is to transform Catholic education in the Archdiocese of St. Louis in three important ways:
- Financial help for lower-and-middle -income families to attract and keep children enrolled in our Catholic schools.
- Funding to develop more competitive educational programs in the areas of science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and mathematics.
- Innovation grants for system-wide implementation of groundbreaking ideas that will change the operational and business model and ensure growth and success.
The second part is strictly oriented to St. Joseph Parish in Cottleville. Our dream is to purchase property near the church and build a much needed multi-use Parish Hall. This building will serve our growing needs for many years to come. Currently, when scheduling various events throughout the year, we find ourselves in frequent conflicts concerning space and time. By constructing a Parish Hall, we would be able to have receptions following Confirmations, graduations, anniversaries, for various parish groups, etc. This facility would provide more meeting space for our parish organizations, our seniors, our teens, etc. This facility would not be for wedding receptions or fish fries because we do not want to conflict with the Knights of Columbus.
Following Sunday Masses, we could have pancake breakfasts or coffee and donuts in the Parish Hall. This will be an ideal place for funeral luncheons. We plan to include a preschool which is in great demand among our younger parents and will serve as a feeder to our elementary school. Blood drives would be held here, more office space, more storage space, etc.
Our new Parish Hall will be built on property next to our church. It will be within easy walking distance from the church. Constructions will start in approximately a year.
The Archdiocesan goal for this capital campaign is $100-120 million dollars. Our parish goal is a little over $3 million dollars. We would receive 40% of what we raise. If we raise over $3 million dollars, the parish would receive approximately $1.3 million dollars. That amount along with our parish savings would be used for our Parish Hall.
During the next six months, we will be embarking on this capital campaign. Parishioners will visit with you or call you to make a 5 year pledge to this campaign. I hope that most of you will be willing to make a sacrificial pledge to this campaign. A few of you may be able to contribute over $25,000 over five years. Many of you will be asked to consider contributing $5,000 to $10,000 over five years. Others will be requested to consider contributing under $5000.
Finally, I would ask that everyone pray for the success of this campaign, Beyond Sunday. Try your best to make a sacrificial pledge to the future of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of St. Louis and to a much needed Parish Hall.
If you would like to make a pledge, please bring a pledge card into the parish office!
God bless,
Msgr. Callahan