With our capital campaign well underway, work completed on several projects, and the groundwork in place to start our major building project, I thought it appropriate to update you on where we currently stand, and as to how you might be able to offer assistance to push us forward.
Let me say that I am humbled by and thankful for your generous response to our appeal. Pledge goals were met and funding associated with pledges is coming in as scheduled. We have every expectation that this will continue. This has allowed us to address some immediate concerns. Of particular note, flat roofing on the Nazareth Center and the Church proper has been repaired, and work will be proceeding on renovation of the bathrooms in the Church. We have identified certain other desirable – but ultimately deferrable – renovation projects in the Church itself, but more on this in a moment.
Preliminary work associated with the replacement of IHM’s Rectory and building of a Chapel has been completed including oil tank and asbestos remediation, architectural planning, township permitting, engineering and other legal processes. As we await a final go-ahead from the Archdiocese, I am reminded of my constant duty of stewardship – this duty includes one of fiscal responsibility toward your funds. I want to emphasize that work WILL begin on the Rectory / Chapel in due course as pledge funds continue to accumulate. In consultation with the Archdiocese we find that we are approximately $200,000 short on funds currently available (including non-campaign savings) at the moment for the whole project. This has prevented us from moving forward up to this point. After some additional redemption of pledges and revision of the project schedule (breaking it into 2 phases) we are hopeful that we will receive approval from the Archdiocese soon so we may begin after the holidays.
This is where I ask for your prayerful consideration.
To those who have already pledged I would ask if it might be possible to accelerate your commitment in fulfilling your pledges. I understand that for many of you this might not be possible – we are all being squeezed by continuing expenses. Again, I emphasize that the question is not one of funding – all of the work initially planned will be started and completed – but rather one as to how quickly it will be done, while maintaining a sense of sound financial stewardship.
To those of you who have not yet pledged I would like to invite you to consider a pledge. Additional pledge funds would not only help us to cover certain cost increases that are inevitable with any extended construction project, but they might also allow us to take on those other “deferrable” renovations to which I referred earlier. If you are considering pledging, please take a pledge card found at the doors of the church or call the office to receive more information on how you might assist.
Let me conclude by saying that Immaculate Heart Mary recently celebrated its Golden Anniversary. We as a Parish family have been entrusted with a legacy to preserve and extend to those who follow us. In faith and with your help we will be able to continue to offer current and future parishioners a facility truly worthy of Mary, our protector and patroness.
Peace
Father Mike