Dear Parishioners, Families and Friends,
The end of April marked the culmination of the public phase of Hope for the Future, a Comprehensive Campaign for the Paulist Fathers. Thanks to the generosity of over 2,700 donors – spanning 40 states (and counting), the District of Columbia and four countries – the campaign has raised $30.2 million in pledges and gifts! To date, over $18 million has already been collected in gifts and pledge payments.
Here at Old St. Mary’s, 290 parish households raised $650,097 for the campaign. Whether you supported the campaign financially, through prayer, or both – THANK YOU! And a special thank you to those who served on our local campaign committee, serving as ambassadors for us Paulists! As is mentioned above there are still outstanding pledges but also a solid base. The dream to support our retired Paulists and support the future of the Paulist Community remains in your hands as we continue to partner in mission and work to build from the Gospel the Church for tomorrow. You are always welcome to participate in the way you are called to do.
This historic effort has funded construction of the Paulist House of Mission and Studies, our new, right-sized seminary in Washington D.C. This building – slated to open in late summer with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony in the fall – will also house several Paulist ministries.
The campaign has helped shore up support for senior Paulists, providing them with a comfortable retirement. Additionally, we’re able to address deferred maintenance at Paulist-owned buildings across the country, especially at our Motherhouse in New York City. Lastly, many outreach ministries like the Paulist Press, Busted Halo and St. Patrick’s American Catholic Church in Rome will be bolstered.
This campaign has truly given us Paulists Hope for the Future!
To view a “thank you” video from Paulist President Fr. Eric Andrews, please visit www.paulist.org/thankyou.
As we enter this season of Paulist Anniversaries – from myself, Fr. PJ, Fr. Stu, Fr. Daniel – thank you for helping us in our ministry and bringing blessings to Chicago!
As we celebrate both our parish Anniversary on May 5 and the current church building Anniversary on July 21, Thank you for bringing the good news of Christ and being Church for the City of Chicago, even before it was a city! Look for other Paulists who have served here to stop by between now and the 20 year anniversary of the School in 2024!
And, as we Renew the Church, we ask blessings on our recent Paulist students who have served here, Dan and Chris and all the students who will serve in the future – on behalf of them, many thanks as well!
I remain very gratefully yours, always asking God’s blessings upon you,
Fr. Brad Schoeberle, CSP
Pastor