From the Desk of Fr. Mike

November 17, 2024

     This weekend we get to pray together as parishioners of St. Mary’s through the Commitment weekend of the Generation to Generation: Answer the Call Capital Campaign. Our parish is one of 14 pilot parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago participating in the Generation to Generation: Answer the Call Capital Campaign. I pray that you are very well versed in the campaign goals of the Archdiocese as well as the goals of St. Mary’s.

Information has been mailed to every parishioner about the goals of the Archdiocese and our parish goals. These mailings came from Cardinal Cupich and were mailed to parishioners of all of the pilot parishes who had not previously made a commitment or pledge.

This weekend, November 16 and 17, is Commitment Weekend at our parish. I hope that as you come to St. Mary’s this weekend, you bring your completed pledge card and place it in the offertory this weekend or next weekend. Your participation is important. I am asking you to join me and the 100 families that have already made a generous pledge and commitment to our Archdiocese and parish for the Answer the Call campaign.

I have been asked by parishioners if I can tell them about what others are giving. I respond to that question, it is not important what others have given but what you yourself can give. The size of the pledge is not important if it is a decision that you made in prayer and discernment for the next five years. Please know that no pledge is too small, no pledge is too large. Pledge to the campaign what you are able to give. I pray you have heard me say in the past eight years; “Please give until you feel good!”

The Parish Campaign Leadership Team has been working over the last 6 – 8 months. In those months they have attended meetings, trainings, and events hosted by the Archdiocese. They have worked with our Campaign Director, Ana Tisa. They have reached out to family members and to friends who are parishioners. They have reached out repeatedly to family members and friends who are parishioners. Sometimes two, three, or more times. I have reached out to families in the spring, summer, and fall. They have shared with me; “Fr. Mike, we have the information for the campaign, it is on our to do list.”

Next weekend is the Feast of Jesus Christ the King. It is the final Sunday of the current liturgical year. We begin the season of Advent on November 30 / December 1. I want Advent to be Advent for all of us. I will not be reaching out asking for pledges and commitments to the Generation to Generation: Answer the Call Capital Campaign in December. I will be reaching out and inviting you and all parishioners to be part of the Archdiocesan and parish Generation to Generation: Answer the Call Capital Campaign throughout the rest of November. I pray that all parishioners to do lists are accomplished by the end of this month.

Next weekend, November 23 and 24, is the Answer the Call Campaign follow-up weekend. I ask you to be an ambassador for the campaign when in conversation with neighbors and parishioners. Encourage those you know to join you in making a pledge, making a commitment for the five-year capital campaign.

Church of St. Mary Campaign Initiatives

• Church Interior Revitalization

• Parish Center Improvements

• Charitable Endowment

Church of St. Mary Campaign Progress

• Parish Campaign Goal: $4,425,000

• Total Pledged: $3,068,380

• Percentage Pledged: 69%

• Number of Gifts: 107

• Last Updated: 11/12/2024

I hope that you are able to complete your pledge in the month of November. You can make your donation on the pledge card and tell us when you will begin your payments to join in the success of the campaign. Do it now. Do it today. When November 30 and December 1 arrive may we enter into the season of Advent with an open heart for the coming of Jesus in devotion, prayer, and thanksgiving.

God bless us as we Answer the Call, as followers of Jesus, parishioners of St. Mary’s in the Archdiocese of Chicago,

Past Letters: