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Capital Campaign » Question and Answer
Question and Answer
Questions and Answers Concerning the Capital Campaign for our Current Building Project As all parishioners know, St. Aloysius is in the midst of a major capital campaign to raise money for the upgrades and renovations to our parish campus. The upgrades include the renovations of the old convent (which has now become the Parish Center), various infrastructure upgrades for some of our aging utility systems, and of course, the new Greeting Area with handicap access and space for the exciting new Pre-School Program our school is undertaking. There have been a number of questions raised about the capital campaign, how memorials will work, and exactly how donors will be recognized. Hopefully the questions and answers that follow will clarify the facts for everyone. If, after reading the information below, you should still have questions about the campaign, please feel free to call the Parish Center at 610-326-5877. Or you can call the co-chairmen of our Capital Campaign Committee, John and Joanne Giese at 610-970-9432 for more information. What are the “Memorial Societies” mentioned in the campaign booklet? The Memorial Societies were established to recognize people who donate amounts within specific pledge levels. At the end of the campaign, after the new gathering area is finished, there will be a memorial tree placed in the new building in a prominent spot to recognize all of the society contributors. The society levels are as follows: St. Aloysius Society $7500 and up St. Katherine Drexel Society $5000 to $7499 St. John Neumann Society $3000 to $4999 Saint Peter’s Society $1800 to $2999 How long do I have to donate my entire pledged amount? You have up to three years to pay off your pledged donation. You can make payments monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, according to your budget. For example, the minimum Society pledge of $1800 can be made in 36 monthly payments of $50 or three annual payments of $600. What if I cannot afford to pledge $1800 over three years? There are several alternatives to making a pledge at the “Society” levels shown above. 1. You can fill out a pledge card in any amount that fits your budget. We understand that not everyone is as financially able as others. But every pledge is needed and appreciated. You still have three years to make the donation, and your gift will be recognized. 2. We also have an exciting new “Brick Campaign”. Memorial Bricks will be permanently displayed in walkways around the new Greeting Area or the new grotto. Memorial Bricks come in two sizes. A 9x9 costs $500, and a smaller 9x6 costs only $250; and you still have three years to pay for it if you like. That’s less than 23 cents a day over three years or about $7 per month. You can buy as many Memorial Bricks as you like. The Memorial Bricks will offer a means for those who may not be able to contribute at the “Society” level, but still wish to participate in the campaign and have their family, a friend, or a loved one permanently memorialized for future generations. Watch the Parish web site for more information on the memorial brick program. 3. Your monthly envelope package now includes envelopes for the Capital Campaign Fund. You can include as little or as much as you wish and just drop it in the collection basket at Mass. Everyone who gives as little as $10 will be recognized in some way (see below). Can I send in a pledge card and buy a Memorial Brick? Absolutely. If you have already made your three year pledge, you can also buy bricks. And you can also use the Capital Campaign donation envelopes. At the end of the campaign, we will total the contribution for your immediate family, and you will receive recognition at that total level. For example, let’s assume you made a thee-year pledge of $4000 (which made you a member of the St. John Neumann Society). But then you later purchase two Memorial Bricks. Now your donation totals $5000, and your total gift will be recognized in the St. Katherine Drexel Society, plus you will also have two bricks displayed. Can I make my pledge as memorial in memory of a loved one? You certainly can. You can make the gift, or buy a brick, in your own name, the name of your family, the name of your business, a friend or relative or as a memorial for a loved one or loved ones. A memorial gift is a very nice way to permanently commemorate the name of a beloved family member. How will my name or memorial be recognized? Your gift or memorial will be recognized in one or more of several different ways. 1. First a beautiful memorial is planned to be permanently displayed in a prominent place within the new Greeting Area. We are currently thinking that this may be in the form of a tree with multiple colored leaves displayed on an internal wall. If you donated a total of $1800 or more, your name or memorial will be a permanent part of that commemorative, and you will be recognized in the appropriate Society category level according to your total gift. (The specific amount of your donation will not be shown.) 2. If you purchased a brick or bricks, your bricks will be etched and highlighted with the name of the donor or appropriate memorial. The brick will be used in a way that will be seen by anyone who visits the vicinity of the new Gathering Area and the new grotto. Of course if your total donation qualifies for one of the Society levels, and you also bought a brick, both memorials will be displayed. 3. Anyone who cannot afford a pledge at one of the Society levels, or a brick, but donates at least $10, will still receive recognition on a list of donors which will be prominently distributed at the end of the campaign, and included in our parish newsletter, The Steward’s Voice. We expect that that list will include just about everyone in the Parish, since everyone who donates just $10 or more will be on it. Again, specific donation amounts will NOT be listed. In addition, so that donors won’t have to wait until the very end of the campaign to be recognized, we will be periodically publishing a list of just the names of everyone who has donated to the campaign in any amount of $10 or more. When the list is updated, new donors will be listed in bold print. By establishing several different ways to donate to the Capital Campaign, we have tried to offer a way for everyone to participate, regardless of their financial ability to donate. The new buildings are such a blessing for our parish and our parishioners that everyone should have the opportunity to be included in the project, and be recognized for having given even a small amount, if that’s all they can afford. May I donate to the Building Campaign anonymously? Yes. We will certainly honor the wishes of anyone who does not want their gift to be publicly recognized. Are there other opportunities for specific Memorial Gifts? You may decide to take advantage of one of the specific naming opportunities that was published in the campaign booklet. More opportunities have since been added to that list. Naming opportunities will include things like rooms, entrances, windows, etc. that are within the new Parish Center or the new Gathering Area. A number of these specific naming opportunities have already been spoken for, but there are still several left. If you are interested, please call the Parish Center for further information. I lost my pledge card, where can I get another? Pledge cards will be periodically published in The Steward’s Voice. If you have not yet sent in your pledge, you may be receiving a post card in the mail with a pledge card included. Very shortly we will be including cards in the church pews which you can use to either make a dollar pledge, or buy a Memorial Brick. You will also find one on the Parish web site (www.saintaloysius.net) which you can download and print. Or you can call the Parish Center and a card will be sent to you. You may mail your pledge card and your initial donation to the Parish office, or just include it in the collection basket in one of the Capital Campaign envelopes.
Saint Aloysius Church
Pottstown
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