Saint Andrew Church Capital Campaign Fund

August 23, 2004

Dear Friends in Christ,

St. Andrew Parish is a blessed community in many ways. Mass attendance is very high and in fact both Masses are usually filled to overflowing! Religious education, both for adults and the youth of the community, is very successful and draws large numbers of people. St. Andrew Parish has a large number of young families, and in fact, at some Masses my voice can barely be heard over the choir of children! This community is indeed blessed.

In the fall of 2002, a number of parishioners gathered to form a parish Buildings, Grounds, and Finance committee to begin looking into renovations of the Church, St. Leo's Hall, and the rectory. After careful study, it was deemed that the Church was in need of the most work. St. Andrew Church was built in 1859 and purchased by the local Catholics in 1876. The renovation under which we worship today was completed in the early 1970s. It was decided that the following areas of the Church building are in need of attention:

• A bathroom (there is no running water in the building at present);
• A new reconciliation room;
• Refinished pews (with new kneelers) and wood floors;
• New carpeting in the sanctuary and in the aisles of the Church;
• A new speaker system;
• A new ceiling;
• Removal of paneling inside the sanctuary and a restoration of its walls;
• Painting of all the wall space inside the Church;
• Rewiring the Church;
• Restoring the exterior shingle finish and replacing the rotten sill at the foundation;
• Replace the out of code and rotting ramp on the back of the Church;
• And, finally to St. Leo's Hall, a new in code ramp will be placed on the front of the building, replacing the out of code ramp now found there.

The price of all of this work is about $195,000. With this letter, I am announcing a special parish collection that is seeking a total of$225,000, which will give us extra money if the price of the project exceeds expectations, and saved money for later renovations on the rectory. Although the parish has significant savings, we are seeking the whole amount of the work. This way, the parish's savings are not depleted, thus keeping a "rainy day" fund. Furthermore, by looking to cover the entire contract with the collection, it gives today's parishioners and parish friends ownership of the project.

I am asking you to take time and discern a generous gift toward this collection. This is your parish. It is your Church. It has been there for you and your family at joyous occasions such as weddings and baptisms. It has grieved with you at funerals. Its doors open to thousands of people each year who gather week after week to celebrate the Eucharist.

Please consider your gift over a three year pledge. As we may need to secure a loan to complete the work now, the more money we receive up front the less the loan will need to be! You may give your gift in memory of someone, if you so desire. Due to the nature of the work, there is not much place for naming opportunities. However, such an opportunity exists if someone wishes to pick up the price for the reconciliation room or for either ramp. Contact me if this interests you. A list of donors will be published, keeping the amount donated confidential. It will also be possible to remain anonymous.

Enclosed you'll find a pledge card and an envelope that I ask you fill out as soon as you can. Either mail it back to us or drop it in the collection basket the next time you are at Church.

This has been an exciting time. The parish is excited about the project, seeing this as the way to insure the safety and user friendliness of their buildings for years to come. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you in advance for your kind consideration of this matter.

God bless,

Rev. Bernard W. Bourgeois, Pastor