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Dear Lord, grant us the ability and strength to look toward the future for building the community of our parish by adding what we need to fully realize our potential as a parish family.
 We ask that you grant us wisdom so we move ahead with confidence and that you guide us along the path we must take together as a faith family.
 We do all things for your glory and honor.  We are St. Bernard - Together we are Church.
 Amen.

CAMPAIGN CORNERS

May 26, 2024
It has been a while since we have given an official update on the progress of our Capital Campaign.  Even though it sometimes may seem like there has not been a lot of progress, things continue to move along behind the scenes.
   
The Facilities Task Force continues to meet regularly with Dante Domenella, our architect, to work on the design of the new building, as well as all the permits and preliminary details that need to be in place before securing bids on the project.  As is always the case, there are a few “hiccups” along the way, but we trust they will all be ironed out soon.  One of those is needing to get a “special use permit” for not only the addition, but the current church building.  Apparently, since Homer Glen as a Village did not exist yet when the church was built, no special use permit was ever obtained, which they are now requiring us to have.  This will require some public meetings with the Village and notifying the nearby neighbors.  More information will be coming on that when we get it.
   
As you know, another part of the whole project is installing the wall and doors between the worship space and foyer.  All the paperwork has been signed and approved since January and we are waiting on the contractor to let us know when the work will be done.  It has been delayed mostly due to a personal issue of the contractor.
   
As far as the finances go, parishioner payments towards the Capital Campaign continue to come in steadily, and as of April 30, 2024, we have received $1,281,000 towards the total pledges of $1,585,742.  Our normal income in collections continues to be above budget and so we are able to put more into our parish savings accounts.  For this reason, our parish finance council has voted to commit more from our regular savings to the campaign than originally planned, increased to $400,000.  Raffle income to be put towards the campaign is also above what we projected, and the Diocese has told us we will be able to increase the amount of the loan against the Parker Rd. house until it is sold.
   
In addition to the capital campaign project, you all know extra capital projects have also been happening lately.  The automatic openers have been added to the church doors to make our building more accessible, there will soon be some minor repairs and maintenance (sealcoating and striping/pavement markings) done to our parking lots, and we need to install a new HVAC unit that services our foyer area that has been out of commission since December.  All of these projects are INDEPENDENT of the capital campaign.  Thanks to the generosity of all of you over the years, this is how we are able to complete these necessary projects.
   
We will continue to keep you all updated as more developments happen.  Thank you to everyone for your continued generosity and support.

October 22, 2023
Campaign Report: Year 2

As you know, our campaign leadership conducted a renewal of the capital campaign this past summer as we entered the second year of the campaign June 1. With the help of numerous volunteers and the parish office staff, the renewal consisted of two components: a mailing program and a special event (Oktoberfest).

First, the mailing program with an appeal to pledge or donate went to three parish groups:
a) registered parishioners who had not pledged or given in the original campaign;
b)  new registered parishioners since the original campaign;
c) parishioners who gave an outright gift but no pledge in the original campaign.

Gifts in response to these mailings resulted in new gifts totaling $39,700.
 
Secondly, Oktoberfest net income was $13,293. (A lot of fun too!)

So, the total of new gifts to the campaign from Year Two Renewal was $52,993. And, of course, pledge payments on the original pledges of so many continue to come in. Thanks to all who helped create a very successful result of the second year "mini-campaign" renewal.

Big Water Project is Happening!

This past week, the big water project for the parish began in preparation for the new addition to the church facility next summer. There may be some disruption to the church parking area and driveways, perhaps even requiring some temporary changes to the traffic pattern.

The church facility has remained on a well from its beginning. In order to expand with any addition, the Village has required that we bring in city water from Illinois American since the building code now requires any addition to have a fire sprinkling system. While the installation of the new water and sanitation system is being installed now, the new system will not be used by the parish nor billed monthly until it is hooked up to the new addition next summer.

The fresh water will come through a new underground system from the north end of property to the building near the foyer. The new sanitation system will require an open trench from the south side of the building near the foyer across the driveway and along the east edge of the south parking lot out to 143rd Street. A few trees will need to be trimmed or removed in its path toward 143rd.

For guiding this project in recent months with the pastor, business manager, architect and his engineer, a big thanks goes to the parish sub-committee of the Facilities Task Force: Don Guinta, Rob Martin and parishioner Tom Wagner, who is an engineer at InLiner Solutions and is serving as the parish’s overseer on this project.  

The sub-committee received two bids for the project and awarded it to Airy’s, Inc., a local company that has done much work in the area with Illinois American. The total cost of the project to the parish, including any needed restoration, is estimated at $315,000 from the Building To Grow, Growing to Serve campaign fund.

August 27, 2023

This summer the leadership of our Building To Grow, Growing To Serve campaign has conducted ways to keep the importance of this three-pledge campaign before our parish community. We thank parishioners Rob & Laura Martin, Kurt Mikuta and Corinne Cirillo for working with Jenny Meehan, business manager and pastor Fr. Joe McCormick for forming the committee, They have planned and implemented ways to renew interest and involvement in the campaign that will fund the major improvements to our parish facilities this Fall and next Summer.

Several different mailings have gone out to parishioners this summer encouraging them to continue their support of the Building To Grow, Growing To Serve campaign with their prayers and donations. New gifts are always welcome. We also resumed during the summer the use of the prayer for the success of the campaign at our Masses. And the summertime bulletins have included this weekly campaign report and reflection.

The crowning of this season’s effort to renew and promote the campaign is the Oktoberfest to be held Sunday, September 10 at the Crystal Banquet Hall on Archer in Lemont. A fun-filled event is planned with good food and drink, trivia games, and the raffle drawings for the 15 beautiful gift baskets that include a variety of great items, experiences and gift certificates. Even those who are unable to attend the Oktoberfest can purchase raffle tickets for their favorite baskets on display in the foyer after the weekend Masses during the next couple weekends. For the winner need not be present at Oktoberfest.

Thanks again to all who have been supporting the Building To Grow, Growing To Serve capital campaign.

August 20, 2023
In recent years, more and more parishioners who are 70 1/2 years of age or older have discovered that they are allowed to exclude from their taxable income up to $100,000 for donations paid directly from their IRA to a charitable organization, including St. Bernard Parish (and up to $200,000 for married couples). This can be a very helpful tax benefit to the donors. A large donation from their IRA may substitute for the regular frequent donations to the parish during the year. Or it may be a supplement to those donations.

Some parish members have made such an IRA donation to the parish’s general collection. Others have made their IRA donation to the Building To Grow, Growing To Serve capital campaign.

We encourage parishioners to consult with their financial advisors to explore such tax benefits for their giving. We also thank all our donors to the Building to Grow, Growing To Serve capital campaign. We continue to make steady progress toward our goal.

August 13, 2023
Everyone should have a will or estate plan.  But unfortunately, only about 33% of adults have one in place. Creating a will is one of the best ways to: provide for and protect the family members you love; save your family members stress and complications by leaving exact instructions on how to handle your estate; and provide more lasting support for your church and favorite charities. Legal and financial consultants can share the variety of ways available to leave something for those charities.

Bequests are so very helpful for Catholic parishes. Normally, a bequest to a parish is deposited in the parish’s capital improvement fund to provide for needed capital improvements and upgrades. Of course, this can include the support of a capital campaign such as our Building To Grow, Growing To Serve campaign.

With the passing of time, every Catholic parish facility requires capital improvements. Sometimes, these are anticipated and planned for. But other times, a capital need may surface more suddenly without any plans in the budget. For this reason, bequests to a parish’s capital improvement fund are much appreciated. If any parishioners would like more information on such bequests, they should discuss this with their legal or financial counsel.
 

August 6, 2023
St. Bernard’s Oktoberfest is coming September 10!
We would like to make our parish Oktoberfest celebration an opportunity for a reunion of St. Bernard’s former parish staff along with our current staff. So, we hope to invite our former parish staff as guests of the parish. But to help the parish do this, we invite parishioners to become a GOLD SPONSOR as they make their own reservations. For $200, parishioners can receive TWO reservations for themselves valued at $75 each as well as an additional $50 to help fund the presence of a parish staff person from the past or present. Our parish office will be inviting former staff.

We also encourage parishioners to arrange with fellow parishioners, relatives and friends a full table of ten who can have great fun as a Trivia Team during the celebration. Of course, singles, couples and other smaller groupings are most welcome to form other tables and make new friends.

The several beautiful baskets with valuable gifts and certificates that will be raffled off at Oktoberfest will be on display in the foyer in the near future.  Whether you plan to attend Oktoberfest or not, you are most welcome to check them out and purchase raffle tickets for those baskets of your choice. Winners need not be present at Oktoberfest on September 10.

This Oktoberfest will be both a FUNDraiser and FUNraiser as we celebrate our parish life and anticipate its next phase to be ushered in by the work of the Building To Grow, Growing To Serve campaign.
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A big thanks goes out to the Augustinians of the Midwest Province for their recent contributions to the Building To Grow, Growing To Serve capital campaign. With the closing of a friary in Hyde Park, the Augustinians have graciously donated several thousand dollars’ worth of gently-used office furniture and other furnishings to be used in the new addition to the church campus to be built in the Summer of 2024. There are book cases, storage cabinets, desks and other furnishings for the new offices that will be stored behind the altar area in church. In addition, there are liturgical supplies for the church and sacristy and home furniture for St. Bernard’s friary residence.

In addition to this in-kind gift of furniture, the Augustinians have pledged a cash gift of $12,000 to the Building To Grow, Growing To Serve campaign through the local Augustinian community residing in St. Bernard’s friary. With such generosity, the Augustinians affirm their commitment to and identity with St. Bernard’s Parish and its motto: We are St. Bernard’s, Together We Are Church. 

July 30, 2023

The most active part of our three-year Building To Grow, Growing To Serve campaign was last spring and summer. With outside counsel and lots of parish volunteers during that kick-off phase, that was the “big splash” when we realized the bulk of our pledges and gifts toward our goal of $1.8 million.

As we begin the second year of the capital campaign this season, we have renewed the campaign effort to move closer to our goal, but a little more simply. We realize that the majority of pledges and gifts were made in the active part of the campaign last year. However, there is still time for more of our parish members who have not yet made a pledge or gift to participate in this parish-wide effort. Every gift counts and no gift is too small.

Those still considering a gift may still make a one-time outright gift or a pledge to be paid over two or three years. There are pledge envelopes at the church doors. Or pledges may be made through the parish website (stbernardhg.org).

Some may wonder what the right amount to pledge is for them. Each household must prayerfully decide. We can report that the gifts and pledges from parishioners thus far have ranged from $100 to over $100,000. And about 50% of the pledges have ranged between $1,000 to $7,500… some one-time gifts, others pledged to be paid over three years.

The improvements to our church campus will have an impact on all our parish members and guests. So we encourage ALL our parish members to join their fellow parishioners in supporting this important community effort. St. Bernard’s is not meant to be like a gas station that folks pull into, gas up, drive away and forget. St. Bernard’s strives to be a family of faith that develops and grows stronger when all members pitch in as is the case with any family.  As our parish motto says: “We Are St. Bernard’s, Together We Are Church.”

July 23, 2023

When a parish community conducts a major capital campaign for some needed capital improvement, the goal is for EVERY parish household to make a pledge or gift. After all, EVERYONE in the parish will be impacted by the results of the campaign and the improvement which the campaign funds. Moreover, participating in the campaign with a gift—even a small gift—is a personal investment in the parish community. And the more a person is invested in a parish community with time, talent and treasure, the more the person  experiences the benefit of belonging. That’s why we say “No gift is too small” for the Building To Grow, Growing To Serve campaign.

Once in a while, we hear someone say, “I contribute by giving my time, instead of money.” However, statistics show that the majority of those who give of their time and talent in a parish setting also give generously from their treasure (unless they struggle seriously with personal finances). Sometimes we are challenged to “give until it hurts.” But, really, most people give “what feels good...” what feels right for them with their level of commitment combined with their capacity to give.

We are so grateful for the 360 parish households who have already made a gift or pledge to St. Bernard’s Building To Grow, Growing To Serve campaign. And there is still time for others to join their fellow parishioners in supporting this effort. There are campaign envelopes at the doors of the church. You can also give online at stbernardhg.org.

July 16, 2023

Our original plan to finance the parish’s capital expansion and modification of our facilities was developed well before the pandemic and the resulting inflation. While that inflation has come down significantly from its peak (thankfully), we are learning that the inflation levels have been built into the cost estimates of contractors for jobs over the next several months.

So, our Building To Grow, Growing To Serve campaign needs renewed support this summer from our many parishioners as we enter the second year of the campaign and begin some of the work. If you have not yet done so, please consider a gift to the campaign. No gift is too small.

We are also hoping that those of you who were able to give an outright gift--rather than a pledge--last summer might be able to renew your commitment with an additional gift this season. We are currently mailing an invitation to renew commitments to many.

You can give online at stbernardhg.org. Or use a campaign envelope included in the mailed packets and also available at the church doors. There are donor gift and pledge cards also available at the church doors.

Thanks to all who are supporting this important effort!

July 2, 2023
Parishioners Rob and Laura Martin agreed to serve as Campaign Chairs:  “We were happy to be involved and support the capital campaign...Building to Grow, Growing to Serve. Having a functional modern parish office along with modern meeting spaces for various parish committees has been a long time coming!”  - Rob and Laura Martin

When a priest is appointed by his bishop to start a new parish, the usual first step is for the new pastor to purchase a home that serves three functions: a rather simple residence for him; an office for him and the first one or two staff or volunteers; and a small chapel for daily Mass and smaller services like baptism. Normally, a local school gym or commercial property would be rented by the new parish for weekend Masses.

To this end, in 1978, St. Bernard’s founding pastor, Fr. Schutter, purchased the current house owned by the parish at 14135 Parker Road. Ten years later, the current church and parish center were built and dedicated. Again, as is somewhat typical for a parish’s first facility, the building was designed as a multi-purpose space as the young parish was in its early years of development. But the parish offices remained off-site…about a mile west of the new parish facility.

Now, 45 years after its founding and after much discussion and consultation among parishioners, the decision has been made to expand the facility and make some modifications to the current space. There will be a new dividing wall separating the worship space and the social space of the foyer. The new addition will add more multi-purpose space adjacent to the east side of the foyer. The expansion will also accommodate the parish offices and storage so that the Parker Road house can be sold. 

This change signals that St. Bernard’s Parish has moved into a new phase of its existence where its offices and ministries and activities are more consolidated at the parish church campus. This change will add to the quality of St. Bernard’s parish life and ministries. Many like Rob and Laura Martin above recognized that it is time! And we thank them for supporting the Building To Grow, Growing To Serve campaign.

June 25, 2023
The generosity of the St. Bernard parish community continues to amaze me. Since we started the renewal of the Building To Grow, Growing To Serve capital campaign last month, we have received $8,550 from 15 new donors and another $535 from 5 donors who gave a one-time gift last summer and graciously decided to add to it at this time. So, now, as our new thermometer posted near the entrance of the worship space shows, the campaign has reached $1,533.432.04.

So, a big thanks to our NEW donors as well as to last year’s one-time donors who decided to give again. I also note that some of our parishioners who made a pledge last year to pay over the next few years have accelerated their payments on their pledge. And this is a great help to the campaign as well. I thank all of you who have supported this great effort…which I understand has been the first capital campaign for St. Bernard’s Parish in its 45-year history.
 
If you have yet to make your commitment, please take time to discern and pray regarding your gift—God will provide direction. A gift or pledge today will also help us limit the follow up mailings we are planning this summer. 

June 18, 2023
Parishioner Peggy Grill and her family support the Building To Grow, Growing To Serve capital campaign as she shares the following:

“The life of a parish is reflected in its provision of various ministries. These ministries play a crucial role in nurturing and guiding the faith formation of individuals spanning all age groups, from the youngest to the most experienced members. The financial resources raised through the capital campaign will in part be dedicated to constructing a new and enhanced meeting space, which will directly contribute to the growth and effectiveness of these essential ministries by providing a practical and transformative space.”

The majority of St. Bernard’s parishioners have not had reason to visit the Parker Road house that has served as the parish office from the start. So, the same majority have not seen for themselves the limits this space has on the effectiveness of our Pastoral Staff members.

The house was fine in the early days of the parish. But as the parish grew and the ministries developed and the staff expanded, the limits of the Parker Road house and its one-mile distance from the main parish center has really inhibited the staff’s work and the development of the parish’s ministries. For example, because of all the materials that need to be hauled back and forth each week by the Religious Ed Coordinator, having a van has been an unstated requirement in the job description.

Relocating the parish offices at the parish center and church campus will certainly make the parish staff more accessible to parishioners and certainly more efficient in carrying out their responsibilities. And the added meeting spaces will foster greater activity and vitality within the parish.

So, a big thanks to all supporting the Building To Grow, Growing To Serve capital campaign!

June 11, 2023
St. Bernard’s has begun its renewal of the Building To Grow, Growing To Serve capital campaign as we enter the second year of the appeal. While we are no longer using any fundraising consultants, we have re-activated our campaign’s Executive Leadership Team: Parishioners Rob Martin, Corinne Cirillo, Kurt Mikuta, along with the parish Business Manager Jenny Meehan and Pastor Fr. Joe McCormick. Each is dedicated to St. Bernard Parish and committed to renewing the campaign so we might reach our original goal of $1.8 million.  You are encouraged to thank them for their willingness to serve our parish in this important way.

We can already acknowledge a good number of parishioners who have very recently matched or added to their original donation to the campaign given last summer. We hope many more will join them in this. Of course, we also extend an invitation to participate to those who have not as yet made a gift or pledge. ALL parishioners will undoubtedly be served by the modifications and new space planned for our church. So, we hope ALL parishioners will join the campaign effort. Such a parish-wide effort will be a great expression of our parish motto We Are St. Bernard, Together We Are Church!
 

June 4, 2023
Last weekend we honored our country’s veterans, especially those who gave their lives in service of the country. Tributes and memorials are good and honorable customs that we have.

As we renew St. Bernard’s Building To Grow, Growing To Serve campaign, we remind all that it includes opportunities to make gifts as tributes to loved ones and special persons. A gift can be made in memory of those who have died or in honor of the living. When the construction is complete, there will be posted visual recognition of the campaign’s donors and those they wish to honor with their gift. As is customary, this recognition will vary in relation to the size of the gifts. Opportunities for naming different parts of the facility after loved ones may also be available for those offering major leadership gifts.

New donors can simply write in on their pledge card or attach a note indicating the tribute they would like to include. State whether the person(s) being honored are living or deceased. Also, those who have already made a gift or pledge can still contact us to designate their gift as a tribute.  Those making major leadership pledges or gifts may contact the pastor to discuss naming opportunities.

Pray for the success of our Building To Grow, Growing To Serve campaign. 
 

May 28, 2023 
We have begun to renew our Building To Grow, Growing To Serve campaign in order to progress further toward our goal of $1.8 million. Many parishioners have shown support for this important project with a gift or pledge since we began this campaign a year ago. But there are many more who are with us regularly but have not yet made a commitment to the effort. Originally, when the campaign kicked off last summer, letters went out to all parishioners requesting a specific amount based on the project’s needs and what was thought to be the capacity of the parishioners. But no gift or pledge is too small. And ALL gifts are so greatly appreciated.

We have had gifts or pledges ranging from over $100,000 to $5.00. We have had a good number of 5-figure gifts and many more 4-figure gifts. We are so grateful to these who have made such a sizable sacrificial gift. But we also have been helped by all those who made gifts of $100-500, or less. We ask all to consider a gift that might be a sacrifice but feels right for them.

We have begun reaching out to parishioners again for new or continuing support with a letter and an added appeal. These requests are invitations to stretch and be a significant part of this parish-wide project. We trust all will be proud of the project at its completion. And, so, we hope ALL can be somehow invested. Ultimately, the parish is grateful for whatever gifts you can provide. 

We are seeking NEW donors from those who have not yet made a gift or pledge. We will also be asking those who made a one-time gift last summer to consider RENEWING their commitment with an additional gift this season. And we are also very grateful to those who have fulfilled their original pledge in the course of this past year but HAVE CONTINUED with additional payments and, thus, raising their total pledge.

We encourage you to reflect and pray. Spend some time reflecting on St. Bernard Parish, its future, and how you can help. Pray and ask the Lord for guidance. Give in a way that represents the blessings that you have received. 

This project is an effort in shared responsibility. One or a few families should not shoulder this campaign. It is the responsibility of the entire parish community to ensure this effort is a success. That calls for a challenge to our giving spirit and our willingness to sacrifice.
 

May 21, 2023
We are entering an exciting season for St. Bernard’s Parish. Numerous parishioners have been asking “When is the parish construction project going to begin?” Finally, I can say SOON!

A sub-committee from our Facilities Task Force has been working hard in recent months with the architect and engineer to plan the installation of the water and sewer project required by the village for any expansion to our building. So, THIS summer the parish campus will be connected to the city water and sewer.  It’s not a very “glamorous” part of the project, but necessary for the actual construction NEXT summer of the new multi-purpose center designed for the east side of the church building.

We also hope to do some interior remodeling THIS summer including the new separation of the worship space from the foyer and social hall area. So many have expressed interest and even excitement over this modification, which will help separate the more lively activity and conversation of the foyer area from the more prayerful worship space.

As we actually embark on the parish construction work in this first phase, we are well aware of the need to raise needed funding for the TOTAL project to be completed next summer. Thanks to a very active capital campaign last summer, we have already succeeded in raising over $1.5 million toward our goal of $1.8 million.

So, during the coming season, we will be renewing our BUILDING TO GROW, GROWING TO SERVE campaign. We will be seeking new donors from those who have not yet made a gift or pledge. We will also be asking those who made a one-time gift last summer to consider renewing their commitment with an additional gift this season. And we are also very grateful to those who have fulfilled their original pledge in the course of this past year but HAVE CONTINUED with additional payments and, thus, raising their total pledge.

Please watch for a personal letter from me in the weeks ahead seeking your support for this project which promises to revitalize our parish life and ministry. Of course, I would also welcome your thoughts and ideas on the proposed project as we move forward. And, certainly, I ask for your prayers for this campaign of BUILDNG TO GROW, GROWING TO SERVE.

August 28, 2022
This is the final week of our active campaign phase for our Building to Grow, Growing to Serve capital campaign. I could not be more pleased with the outpouring of support from so many and the dedicated work of our volunteers.
 
To date you have pledged or gifted $1,328,317.04 in total commitments! During our Masses last weekend, we were blessed to receive $37,920 in new commitments from attendees, including some visitors! Our celebration of the Feast of St. Bernard and the service by our volunteers was a fitting tribute as we continue to move forward with our efforts. 

Although our active phase is ending, I will continue to work to see our vision through. I will meet with parish leadership to discuss our next steps as we continue putting the blocks in place to build out our multi-purpose facility. During the next three years of the campaign’s pledge payment period, there will be additional opportunities for additional funding.
 
I hope you are as invigorated as I and that you will continue to support our effort in the months and years ahead. After this past weekend, I am thrilled by the excitement I witnessed as we look to the future for our parish family.

Fr. Joe

August 21, 2022
Welcome to Commitment Weekend and the celebration of the Feast of St Bernard! The initial, active portion of our Building to Grow, Growing to Serve capital campaign is winding down and I am grateful for the continuing generosity of the St. Bernard parish community.

We kicked off our effort just ten weeks ago and since then we’ve seen the fundraising totals gradually climb. As of Aug. 16, we have received $1,273,597.04 in total commitments! This is a whopping 70% of our goal of $1.8 million, which we plan to raise over the next 2-3 years. Each gift, each pledge, each display of sacrifice is an inspiration and blessing to our parish. Thanks to the commitment of so many parishioners already, each day we get closer and closer to turning our vision of a multi-purpose facility into reality.
 
As we celebrate the feast of our parish patron this weekend, we also publicly celebrate the achievement of the active part of our capital campaign. It is important to honor our throng of campaign volunteers and the families who have given so generously to this campaign. If you have made a pledge or gift, thank you! Supporting our campaign is a great opportunity to invest in the future of our parish.
 
If you have yet to join our cause, there is always time to get on “the bandwagon.”  If you still wish to make a pledge or outright gift, I invite you to make your commitment today by going to our website www.stbernardhg.org and printing a response card to return.
 
Thanks to all for the spiritual and financial support of our Building To Grow, Growing To Serve campaign. Your continuing support in the weeks and months ahead is a blessing to everyone we serve and is an example of what we can achieve when we come together as a community in Christ.
We Are St. Bernard's, Together We Are Church.

Fr. Joe

August 14
Our Building to Grow, Growing to Serve thermometer continues to grow with your outpouring of support! As of this past Tuesday, we have raised $1,225,760.04! 
 
Our volunteers and donors have put in a tremendous effort to bring us to this point, and I am thankful for their service to our campaign and our church.  
 
The weekend of Aug. 20 we will celebrate this endeavor. We will mark this occasion by celebrating the Feast of St. Bernard and I invite you to join with us. 
 
Along this journey I have seen so many become acquainted with their fellow parishioners and create relationships that build our growing faith community. In turn, we will look to grow our ministries, our faith, and our worship. Together we truly are church, and this effort is a continuation of that service.  

Fr. Joe
 

August 7
We continue to make tremendous progress with our Building to Grow, Growing to Serve campaign! As of this past Tuesday, we have raised $1,150,200.04!

Many of you have found the campaign help desk, located in the church foyer, a benefit, so we will continue to staff it through the end of August. Please stop by and say hello, ask a question, or submit your pledge card.

Also, a reminder, that all gifts are welcome. No gift is too small. All gifts help us move closer toward our goal. I encourage you to prayerfully identify or define a gift that is sacrificial and meaningful to you. We have a tremendous outpouring of support at all levels, and I pray every household finds a gift level that suits them.

Soon we will celebrate the end of the active portion of our campaign, but our journey to expand our faith and our church will continue. I wel-come everyone to join on this journey.

July 31
I am thrilled to announce that, as of this past Tuesday, our Building to Grow, Growing to Serve campaign has surpassed $1 million in commitments. To date we have raised $1,015,655.04 through just 158 gifts and pledges! These commitments range from six-figure pledges to two-figure pledges. As we have said, we don’t expect equal gift levels, but we do appreciate equal sacrifice among the gifts.  Imagine what we could attain if ALL of our nearly 1,000 registered families participated in the campaign with a pledge. And we will continue to strive toward that goal.
 
This campaign achievement after just six weeks reflects the generosity and commitment of many of you– and for this I am grateful. I must also recognize our campaign leaders and volunteers who continue to spread the message. Thank you for your dedication to seeing this through.   
 
Our timeline for the active part of the campaign appeals with the help of the Steier Group as our consultants is running short as we now turn to August and our final push over the next few weeks. I encourage you to return a pledge card if you have not done so already. You can save us the trouble and cost of mailing you a follow-up letter. Some of our volunteer campaign workers will be in the foyer after Mass these next few weeks to accept your pledge or to address any concerns or questions you may have. All gifts, together, will help us reach a goal that many thought was too much for our parish.
 
If the strength and enthusiasm of the campaign’s first six weeks continues through the next final weeks of our active campaigning, I trust we will finish strong. We are St. Bernard, Together we are Church!  

Fr. Joe

July 24, 2022
The generosity of the St. Bernard faith community continues to amaze me. Just one month into the appeal phase of our Building to Grow, Growing to Serve campaign and we are nearing $900,000 in commitments. To date we have raised $895,355.04 through 121 in gifts and pledges!
 
I cannot thank you enough for your sacrifice. It speaks volumes of your dedication and love for your parish. I am truly humbled by your response.
 
If you have yet to make your commitment, please take time to discern and pray regarding your gift—God will provide direction. I encourage you to reach out to me, if you wish, or stop by our Campaign Help Desk, located in the foyer, this weekend before or after Mass to visit with a volunteer.
 
Also, please mark August 20 on your calendar. That’s when we will celebrate the Feast Day of St. Bernard, while also recognizing our capital campaign by highlighting our volunteers and celebrating campaign success. 
 
More information to come soon!
Fr. Joe

July 17, 2022
So far, we have raised  $ 711,520.04 on only 78 gifts and pledges. Thank you to everyone who has made their commitment. To help with the decision-making process, we are introducing the “Campaign Help Desk” for the Building to Grow, Growing to Serve campaign.
 
We are setting up this campaign help desk after Mass in the foyer to help answer your questions, fulfill your pledge, or chat about the possibilities with the campaign.
 
At the table, we will have materials available including pledge cards, the “Frequently Asked Questions” document, and return envelopes. There will be a campaign volunteer at the table to help you.
 
     The campaign help desk will be occurring this weekend and next weekend after each mass in the church foyer.
 
I welcome you to visit the campaign help desk, speak with our volunteer worker, ask questions if you have any, and share in the growth of our campaign effort at St. Bernard.

Fr. Joe

July 10, 2022
Thank you to everyone who has made a gift commitment so far and you can see our progress with the thermometer.   
 
As folks consider a gift to the Building to Grow, Growing to Serve campaign, I want to remind you of the gift now and pay later option.  Some folks may want to establish payments over time or start a gift next year. You may give a gift now but delay payment until it is best for you and your budget. Please know that all gifts will help us reach our goal and we are extremely grateful for your consideration and pledge.  
 
If you would like to discuss a payment plan you may reach out to the parish office or Jim Rogers with the Steier group to discuss how you would like to plan a gift. Jim’s phone number is (402) 706-8019 and the parish office number is (708) 301-3020.   

Thank you for your continued support of our campaign. Together we will reach our goal.   
 
Fr. Joe
 

July 3, 2022

With the Building to Grow, Growing to Serve campaign in full swing, we eagerly introduce our campaign thermometer which will track our weekly fundraising progress.  
 
We are already making great strides toward fulfilling our goal at St. Bernard and I am humbled by your support. As you can see from our thermometer, we have already received pledged commitments of $362,640.00 as of Monday, June 27!   
 
We will provide weekly updates in the campaign corner of the bulletin and on posters in the foyer. This early success is showing brightly the support that exists in our faith community to see these projects through. 
   
Thank you for your support of our campaign and your continued support of growing our church and faith family.   

Fr. Joe

June 26, 2022
As we are progressing with the Building to Grow, Growing to Serve campaign I wanted to address a couple of items:  
 
· Gifts as a memorial or honorarium are certainly welcome.  
I have had several parishioners ask if they may make a gift in memorial or as an honorarium of a loved one. The answer is you may absolutely do so, and we welcome your thoughts of them as you help St. Bernard. We will discuss those options with our leadership and present how you may honor your loved ones at a later time. 
 
· Your Gift Matters!  
Remember, the letter you received from me includes a financial request. It is not an expectation. It is an invitation. I invite you to pray about this campaign and our parish. You may not be able to give what was asked. You may be able to give more than asked. Whatever your decision, please know that I deeply appreciate your commitment. It is a true blessing to our parish, and so are you!  
 
Thank you for your support of St. Bernard Catholic Church!   
 
Fr. Joe
 

June 19, 2022
The Building to Grow, Growing to Serve campaign is underway. 
I would like to offer my thanks to our volunteers for their diligent work in getting us to this point. While there is much to celebrate, much work remains.   
In the coming weeks, volunteers will reach out individually to members of our parish. I ask that you please keep in mind the following:   

•      Our volunteers are just that – volunteers. They graciously agreed to donate their time and talent for the betterment of St. Bernard Catholic Church. They are serving in this role because they believe in our parish and are passionate about its future. Please treat them with respect and thank them for helping St. Bernard in this important capacity.   
•     I instructed our volunteers to personally meet with members of the St. Bernard community. If you receive a call, I kindly ask that you:  

 · Take the call or return the message. Please don’t avoid talking to our volunteers. It makes their job more difficult and puts them in a position where they must keep calling to reach you.  
· Meet face-to-face. If asked to meet, please give our volunteers 15 minutes of your time. They are not trying to twist your arm. They just want to briefly explain the campaign goals, answer your questions, and receive a decision about your participation.   
 
Thank you for your cooperation, your consideration, and your support of St. Bernard Catholic Church!    
 
Fr. Joe
 

June 12, 2022
After weeks of intensive preparation, we are close to the official kickoff of St. Bernard’s Building to Grow, Growing to Serve capital campaign. By next weekend, every family in the parish community will receive a packet of information, which includes a financial request and instructions on how you can invest in the future of St. Bernard. 
 
In advance of the mailing, I want to express several thoughts regarding this campaign and what is being asked of our families: 
 
Invitation not Expectation 
Every family will be asked to consider a specific commitment to the campaign. We have gone through an exhaustive process to determine requests that are appropriate for each family. That said, in some cases our request may be too high. In some cases, it may be too low. It is not an expectation. It is an invitation – and the starting point for your personal discernment. Ultimately, the parish is grateful for whatever gifts you can provide. 

Reflect and Pray 
In advance of the request, I ask that you spend some time reflecting on St. Bernard, its future, and how you can help. Pray and ask the Lord for guidance. Give in a way that represents the blessings that you have received. 

Shared Responsibility 
One or a few families should not shoulder this campaign. It is the responsibility of the entire parish community to ensure this effort is a success. That means generosity and sacrifice – and not just monetarily. We need gifts of time, talent and prayer too.  
 
I hope you will join us and our Building to Grow, Growing to Serve campaign. It’s an exciting time for our parish and we want you to be a part of something that will mean so much to the future of St. Bernard Church!  
Fr. Joe
 

June 5, 2022
Our Building to Grow, Growing to Serve Capital Campaign is preparing to turn the corner for engagement. 

Next weekend, June 11-12 will mark our kickoff weekend. I encourage you to join me at Mass for a short and thoughtful message from your fellow parishioners on why they are supporting our campaign.  

After Mass next weekend, we’ll gather in the foyer to enjoy hospitality and learn more from our campaign leaders about our ongoing effort. We’ll also distribute campaign information, including the frequently asked questions document.  

Again, I encourage you to visit our website (https://www.stbernardhg.org/capital-campaign), the parish office, or the church foyer to obtain the latest campaign materials.  

We are moving right along, and I am always thankful and humbled by your input and support.    
Fr. Joe
 

May 29, 2022

Our Building to Grow, Growing to Serve Capital Campaign continues to grow.  

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is now available. We know that many of you have questions surrounding the various facets of our effort. We believe this document provides answers to many of those inquiries.   

You may find the FAQ at the link above, at the parish office, or in the foyer of the church. I encourage you to read it and share it with others that you know too.   

Also, our effort to recruit campaign leaders and volunteers continues. If interested I encourage you to reach out to Jim Rogers, with the Steier Group, to talk about the opportunities available to you. You may reach Jim by phone at (402) 706-8019 or by email at [email protected].  

I am thankful for everyone’s help so far and the help yet to come. I hope you all have a blessed and relaxing Memorial Day weekend.   

Fr. Joe

May 22, 2022

Our Building to Grow, Growing to Serve Capital Campaign is developing nicely. 

We just recently produced a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for the campaign effort. Soon we will share it with our parish families and place a copy on our website. This document answers key questions about our projects and the campaign, which many of you raised during the planning study.  

Also, to help answer questions, we will host two town hall meetings. Both gatherings will feature architect, Dante Domenella who will present, in detail, our project plans. Join us this Sunday May 22 at 3 p.m. or Wednesday, May 25 at 7 p.m. in the church foyer. We will have copies of the FAQ document available there too.  

We are also in the process of inviting many parishioners to serve as volunteers in the campaign that will officially kick off in June. It’s only with a good, large network of committed volunteers that our campaign will be successful for St. Bernard.

I am pleased and thankful with the progress to date. I expect to continue to advance our campaign preparation in the coming weeks.
Fr. Joe

May 15, 2022

Preparations for our Building to Grow, Growing to Serve Capital Campaign continue to move along. 

This week we added a campaign logo, which you can see above. We’ll use it on our campaign correspondence and materials. 

We are also excited and pleased to announce that Corinne Cirillo, Rob Martin and Kurt Mikuta accepted invitations to serve as our campaign general chairs.  Each is dedicated to St. Bernard and committed to driving a successful campaign. I look forward to working with them and encourage you to welcome and thank them for their willingness to serve our parish. 

As a reminder, I encourage you to attend one of our upcoming town hall meetings featuring architect Dante Domenella who will present, in detail, our project plans.  Join us Sunday May 22 at 3 p.m. or Wednesday, May 25 at 7 p.m. in the church foyer. 

Together we will continue Building to Grow, Growing to Serve St. Bernard for all here and those to come. 

May 1, 2022     

We are continuing to move forward with the capital campaign for our church. 

In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to update you on ways to be involved and help with the effort. 

This week we are pleased to announce our theme for the effort: Building to Grow, Growing to Serve. 

This theme projects our mission to build and grow the church. Our growth is not just mortar and concrete, but also growing our outreach of faith. We want to continue to grow, together as we undertake this effort and beyond.  

All parish members are invited to attend either of two town hall meetings at which our architect, Dante Domenella, will present the project plans in detail with an opportunity for discussion. The town hall meeting will be held on Sunday afternoon, May 22 at 3:00 pm and repeated on Wednesday, May 25 at 7:00 pm. Both meetings will be held in the church foyer.  

Our faith calls upon us to serve our Lord, our community, and each other. Together we will continue to build St. Bernard to fulfill that calling.