Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Please read the following statement from our St. Anna Capital Campaign Chairmen (SACC) concerning the future goals of our parish. Much has been written, stated and even preached about their group’s activities during the past several months. As we return our focus to the initial goals that our Parish Assembly has established, the words of our SACC leaders resonate with wisdom, love, faith, commitment and steadfastness. I offer my prayers unto their success; for their achievements are our collective steps forward. God bless their work, your hearts and our entire community. Enjoy…
St. Anna Capital Campaign
3015 Creek Road
Cottonwood Heights, Utah
November 1, 2017
Dear Fellow Parishioners,
Much has transpired in the month since our last letter to the parish on September 28, 2017. It appears the Atrium opportunity is no longer a viable option, in spite of the brilliant and diligent efforts of our Real Estate Ministry Team, led by Chuck Karpakis, Joe Sasich and Fr. Anthony and the support and leadership of our Parish Council. In his weekly letter last week, Fr. Anthony addressed the circumstances that led us to the conclusion that an acceptable deal could not be reached on the Atrium. This will be discussed in more detail at the Parish Assembly this Sunday.
Notwithstanding our collective disappointment that the Atrium appears to be off the table, we learned a great deal and saw positive results, such as a surge in donations, pledges, anticipation, and excitement. We also came to some practical realizations. As people do when their best efforts produce a disappointing result, we’ve asked ourselves questions about what we could have done better. In our excitement, did we put too much stock in the verbal assurances of the property’s owner? Could we have been more prepared? Have we presented our St. Anna Capitl Campaign (SACC) vision adequately and correctly to our parishioners and prospective donors? Are our parish goals realistic and attainable at this time? Is it truly the will of our parish to pursue a new home?
Can we really raise the necessary funds?
We’ve worked very hard to give every parishioner an opportunity to learn about our SACC goals, either at the 8 intimate dining events this past summer, by phone campaigns, weekly bulletin notes, at in-home meetings, or simply by word of mouth. When talking to those who haven’t made a commitment yet, we’ve heard that many have simply forgotten to make a pledge, some are still thinking about it, some would like to but don’t think they can afford it, and a very, very, very few never intend to make a pledge.
Our latest reports show that we have $1,186,693 in Total Commitments. $800,813 is Cash on Hand and $359,384 is Total Pledges Receivable in the next few years. This is about 40% of our $3,000,000 target. Only 91 steward units out of almost 200 have made pledges. These 91 donors to date represent about 45% of our entire parish, meaning 55% have not yet pledged. These results are impressive and represent prayerful and generous sacrifice by those who have made a pledge. As we are extremely grateful for their efforts. Nonetheless, we hoped and anticipated that we would be much farther ahead in reaching our two primary goals as we near the end of this year. First and most importantly, having 100% participation by our parishioners, and secondly, reaching our $3,000,000 pledge goal.
The only way to know if we are truly committed to these goals as a parish is to receive pledge cards or donations from every single parishioner. Without that information, we can’t establish a realistic path forward. We must be able to know when and what resources are available, both currently and in the coming years.
When another opportunity comes up, and it will, it will probably require bank financing. Any lender will want to be assured that virtually 100% of parishioners are committed, regardless of the amount pledged. We will most likely need to service some debt so we welcome pledges that will be due in coming years to assist in making those payments.
The questions posed in the second paragraph of this note need to be answered by each of us individually, and collectively as a parish. Receiving pledge cards from everyone is the only way we will be truly prepared for the next opportunity. If you’ve forgotten to send in your pledge, do so right now. If you are still thinking about it, please make a prayerful decision sooner rather than later. If you don’t think you can afford it, make a commitment that works for you and extend it into the future to assist in future debt service. There are very, very few people who can’t change one or two little things in their normal routine and save enough to make a small commitment. The gesture is equally important as the amount.
Our intent is not to lecture or chastise anyone. Please forgive us if this letter sounds that way. We simply want to make sure our efforts are in harmony with the will and capabilities of our beloved parish. In the middle of December, about six weeks hence, we will make an evaluation based on all pledge cards received, and those results will determine how we proceed in 2018. Our firm belief is that those results will drive us forward as God continues to guide us to our ultimate home. But please help us by making sure we have the most complete information available in making these important decisions.
Thank you and God Bless St. Anna’s and all of us.
Bill Souvall & RaJean Higginson
St. Anna Capital Campaign Co-Chairpersons
PLEASE REMEMBER:
THIS SUNDAY IS OUR OBSERVANCE OF VETERANS DAY. PLEASE COME TO HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OUR NATION. WITH SACRIFICE AND HONOR.
THIS SUNDAY IS OUR FALL PARISH ASSEMBLY. PLEASE COME AND LEND YOUR VOICE TO THE GOVERNANCE OF OUR BLESSED PARISH. YOUR PARISH!
THIS SUNDAY, 2018 STEWARDSHIP PACKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE. PLEASE FULFILL YOUR 2017 STEWARDSHIP AND PRAYERFULLY CONTINUE YOUR SUPPORT.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU, ALWAYS!