Campaign Update - Keep the Light Shining

Earlier this summer, we shared that we will clarify the needs of St. Mary of the Mount and Prince of Peace parishes before we finalize our merger. For St. Mary of the Mount Parish, we are taking a closer look at the Parish Center project to assess campaign proceeds and pledges to date, reevaluating projections for total project costs, and reestablishing a fundraising plan so that the project can indeed move forward. Here are the details.
 
As currently conceived, our Parish Center is a two-story, two-tiered parking, 17,000 square foot flexibly-planned space designed to serve as a hub for spirituality, fellowship, and service. It would accommodate children and adult education, social gatherings, wedding receptions, community outreach, and many other functions. The total cost of the building construction, as currently envisioned, is estimated at $7 million. 
 
We have raised approximately $2.5 million in cash and pledges toward our project. We also sold the school and Sullivan Hall properties, and realized $1.1 million after deduction of real estate commissions and transfer tax fees. From these proceeds, we have purchased the Grandview Avenue Parish Center property; repaid the 2013 church ceiling project loan; remitted Church Alive and Campaign administration obligations to the Diocese; and funded other much-needed projects in the Church (kneelers, sound-system and hearing-impaired system upgrades). 
 
Going forward, our committee members are researching Private Foundation and Public Grant opportunities, exploring donations from other local stakeholders, and retaining a consultant to assist us with our final fundraising push. By the end of 2020, we will assess our financial situation and proceed with final designs for a Parish Center that is both within our budget and best serves our spiritual, fellowship, and community service needs.
 
In the meantime, please continue making timely pledge payments to our Keep the LightShining Campaign and share any recommendations on who else we might approach to help us reach our fundraising goal. And if you have not yet made a pledge or gift, and find it in your heart and budget to do so now, please request a discussion or meeting with one of our committee members – we are happy to speak with you about how to make that happen!