32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

    I am pleased to announce that we have achieved our original TTT campaign goal for Sacred Heart.  Over the last ten days we have received additional monies that have resulted in us having over three million dollars in campaign pledges.  When we began this campaign in 2018, we had a goal of five million dollars for Christ the King parish, Seton School and Sacred Heat Parish.  All three institutions have exceeded their goals. 

    We have repeatedly said, since last spring, that we would like to collect more than the three-million-dollar goal for Sacred Heart Parish because of increased costs due to supply problems caused by COVID 19.  For that reason, we will continue to collect monies to offset increases in the amount needed for raw materials.  We had eight meetings in September, and we sent out mailings which detailed why things are more expensive today.  At this point we will work with our architect and obtain construction drawings so that we can have accurate estimates and be ready to move forward.  We will also be in communication with the Diocese of Peoria to keep them informed.

     The Steier Group told us in 2018, in our feasibility study, that Sacred Heart parish had the potential of raising 2.2 million dollars (1.8 million dollars for parish needs and $400,000 for Seton School).  If we calculate the monies we have pledged to date, Sacred Heart has raised over 3.4 million dollars. We have far exceeded the experts’ predictions. Thank you!

     This wonderful achievement is due to your faith in Jesus and love for our parish.  And it is due to the tenacity of our campaign committee.  This committee has had to work longer than they originally thought because of the obstacles they have had to overcome. I will list their names in next week’ bulletin. I cannot thank them enough. There was many a day when I doubted we would be where we are today.  God has surprised me once again.

     We will continue the work of the campaign and I ask for your ongoing support so we can build the structure we had originally desired. If you have not turned in a pledge, please do so. I will continue to pray for the intercession of St. Damian the Leper (a Belgium American Saint) for the success of our efforts to raise funds for this project.

May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over us.

Fr. Mark