We are pleased to announce that the St. Mary and St. James Catholic Community "Building On What We Believe" campaign has passed its goal of $1.75 million. As of July 14^th, 70% of the families and individuals from our community have made a pledge to the campaign, and they continue to come in. Presently pledges total $1,960,000. Nearly $400,000 of the money pledged has been collected. Combining this with the $340,000 in the building fund before the pledge campaign started, we have $740,000 in parish building fund accounts earning interest.

Thank you to the members of our religious community for so generously responding to the call to meet our physical facility needs. Throughout the campaign we were moved by how families and individuals responded to the idea of "sacrificial giving" by thoughtfully and generously contributing to the pledge campaign.

Thank you to all of the volunteers and leaders who dedicated themselves to the successful "Building On What We Believe" campaign. Also, thank you to the parish councils of St. Mary and St. James for providing the vision and support to look at our future physical facility needs. Thanks to all of the individuals who have donated their time and expertise at dozens of planning committee meetings.

During the past three years, the planning committee conducted a thorough study of the needs of the St. Mary and St. James parishes. Based on that study, a practical conceptual design which meets the needs of the parishes for decades to come was created. The plan was presented, additional input was collected from parishioners, and a pledge campaign was conducted to determine the level of commitment. Our Catholic community responded in a generous, supportive way.

Because of this support, the planning committee will be able to proceed to the next step of developing plans and specifications for a new facility. Over the next several months, we will analyze each and every proposed space within a new facility and make decisions based upon our resources and the prioritized needs of our community and its programs. You are invited to be a part of that process by attending the planning committee meetings.

Once again thank you for your thoughtful and prayerful generosity. As stated earlier, pledges continue to come in. For your information and convenience, donations can be made by direct deposit to The Bank of Belleville. Also, because of the diocese guideline that half of the cost of the proposed project be collected before construction begins, you are encouraged to pay off as much of your pledge as you can comfortably afford as soon as possible.

kk - pastor

Russell Cichy - Pledge Campaign Chair

Joe Donlin - Pledge Campaign Chair

Carla Wolf - Pledge Campaign Coordinator

Gary Loertscher - Planning Committee Chair