Capital Campaign Kickoff

Last weekend was the official kickoff to the Capital Campaign for the Renovation of St. Thomas Aquinas Church. We have waited and prayed for this day for almost four years and the time has now arrived. As I have shared with you previously, the first phase of this project was to “Save the Church physically.” We did that in 2020, with the purchase and installation of shoring towers and scaffolding to support the roof until permanent repairs could be made. Let me assure you the church was stabilized by that action and remains stable during the current repair process.

The second phase of this project was to “Save the church canonically”. We accomplished this goal working through the Real Presence, Real Future initiative throughout 2021 and 2022, culminating in the decision to repair St. Thomas Aquinas Church by Bishop Earl Fernandes and Pentecost of last year. Phase three of the project is the physical repair of the church and its opening. A team of up to 14 workers have been onsite most weekdays since October 16^th when repairs began. We are well underway!

The time has come to discuss the financial needs of the Parish for our long-term sustainability as envisioned by Bishop Fernandes. That is where you, my fellow parishioners can have an impact on the future of St. Thomas Aquinas Church. The total cost of the project is $2.1 million. It is the policy of the diocese that no project can start until all needed funds are either in hand or pledged for the project. In order to initiate repairs immediately, we transferred funds necessary for the repairs from our endowment to the diocesan Parish Activities Fund. The positive from this action is that we could start repairs immediately on October 16^th. The downside from this action is that St. Thomas will not be able to recognize the income from the funds that were in the endowment. This will reduce our annual parish income by over $100,000.

The funds raised from the Pride in Our Past, Faith in Our Future Campaign will be used to replenish the endowment, so that St. Thomas can continue to receive this $100,000 annually as part of its operating income. St. Thomas Aquinas has received a grant from the Cora E. Rogge Foundation in the amount of $250,000. This grant decreased the out-of-pocket cost from $2.1 million to $1,850,000. It is our plan to draw down another endowment by $350,000. This leaves $1.5 million that needs to be raised in the capital campaign to pay for the repairs.

On the tables exiting the church you will find pledge cards and flyers describing the project and asking for your financial commitment. We ask that you take a pledge card and consider a gift to the Capital Campaign. You can make a one-time donation or you can spread a pledge over the next three years to better meet your financial needs. You have three options for participating.

• Dropping off your donation or pledge card to the Parish Office.
• Mailing your donation or pledge to the Catholic Foundation in the envelopes provided.
• Dropping your donation or pledge card in the offertory basket at Mass.

We would prefer to receive your donation or pledge as soon as possible. No gift is too small as we work together to achieve this financial goal. As for the repairs, I will continue to keep you updated on a weekly basis in the bulletin as to how the project is proceeding. Please make sure to pick up a bulletin every week and I promise to keep you updated.

I know you are anxious to know a date when we can reenter the church. Many factors come into play including subcontractors’ scheduling and material lead-times. If I am pressed to give you a date, I am hopeful that the church will re-open in the summer of 2024. As the project proceeds, I will be able to predict an exact opening date more accurately. Please feel free to stop by or call the Parish office with any questions you may have.

Finally, I am sure you have noticed the steel structural members on sawhorses that have been set up in the Activity Center. These components will become part of the truss system of St. Thomas Aquinas Church. If you would like to sign the components, please feel free to do so with the sharpies provided. In this way, your name will be memorialized in perpetuity with the church. These components will remain available for signature throughout the month of January. May God bless you as you pray fully consider your participation in our capital campaign!

St. Thomas Roof Campaign Brochure

Click here to make a donation!