Capital Campaign

Building for our Family, our Faith, our Future

Two years ago, Holy Family Parish developed a long-range, pastoral plan called "Envisioning the Future" in order to continue our growth and development as a parish community and to better serve and strengthen the Body of Christ in our parish and in the greater Stow community.

During the course of the year, hundreds of our parishioners were involved in a survey and a listening process called "appreciative inquiry" in an effort to determine our hopes and dreams for the parish, our needs and concerns, our ideas and suggestions.

Our parish facilities were among the topics discussed, and from those discussions, two goals with regards to our church and school complex emerged:

1. Planning for the ongoing maintenance, replacement and improvement of our parish buildings.
2. Consideration of new facilities to accommodate future parish needs.

A Campus Renovation and Enhancement Plan was developed in response to these goals, incorporating three main objectives:

• Address parish infrastructure issues for the church, school and rectory.
• Create a church/office complex addition, and
• Replenish the capital improvement fund.

Download the complete Capital Campaign Overview (5.6 MB pdf)

In 2006, a Parish Planning Study was conducted to gain feedback on the plan and to gauge the Parish's readiness to begin raising funds to meet these goals. The results of that study showed substantial agreement with the plan but suggested a more focused approach concentrating on the most pressing needs first. The Following is the revised and more economical Campus Renovation and Enhancement Plan.

Phase I

Church Building Infrastructure

Since the early 1960s, we have had the privilege to worship in a beautiful church. At the time our church was built, it was considered state-of-the-art in terms of the liturgical developments that grew out of Vatican II.

Our church is the most important of our parish structures, the holy place where we are called to Eucharist, to reconciliation, and many family and parish celebrations. As with any building of this vintage, a number of infrastructure issues have developed over the years that require our attention. Among the issues that need to be addressed are:

• Repair and/or replacement of the HVAC (heating and cooling units with temperature control systems) with more energy-efficient units.
• Upgrading the fire alarm system by installing a new sprinkling system to meet current Stow building codes.
• Upgrading the electrical and lighting systems with more efficient units.
• Replacing the church flooring under the pews. Abatement costs for the removal of asbestos tiles are included in the estimates.

Many of these upgrades are necessary in meeting safety standards. In addition, we will incur future savings by installing more energy efficient units wherever possible.
Total Cost: $568,000

New facilities within the church to improve accessibility and better serve the needs of the Holy Family Parish community.

We seek to provide a welcoming atmosphere, opportunities for fellowship, and a renewal of the spirit for all who enter our church. In 1960 ours was a relatively young parish. Our parish membership is now made up by a wide range of age groups. Our goal is to be accessible to all who seek to worship with us. Embarking on these projects will help us to shape a stronger community of faith, now and in the future:

• A parking-lot-level entrance on the southwest corner of the church building will lead to a foyer that will include steps as well as an elevator that will connecting both levels of our church building, making it accessible for the disabled and the elderly.
• A redesigned main entrance will allow us to vastly improve the church building by creating a spacious narthex (gathering area) to serve as an enclosed area immediately adjacent to the church. This area can be utilized for fellowship before and after Mass, and various church functions. New handicapped accessible women's and men's rest rooms will be part of the gathering area.
• An enlarged chapel space will allow for the creation of a Eucharistic Adoration/Daily Chapel. This secure, versatile space will be separate from other areas, offering a quiet place for prayer. It will have a dedicated entrance, coat area and washroom facilities to support 24-hour adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and will accommodate up to 67 persons for daily Mass. Because it is zoned separately, heating and cooling the chapel will be independent of the rest of the church, which will greatly reduce energy costs associated with these vital services as it will not be necessary to heat or cool the main church building on typical weekdays.
• Renovations within the church building will allow us to improve the reconciliation rooms, establish a permanent baptism font, provide adequate sacristy space, and relocate the music ministry to a single permanent location.
• An attractive and welcoming church exterior is planned, including an exterior walkway, railings, and decorative landscaping.

Replace the roof on the primary grades school building

Providing a quality Catholic education is vital to our mission as a faith community. Inherent in our mission is the maintenance of our school buildings. While many infrastructure concerns will be addressed in Phase II, experts have advised us that this school roof should be replaced as soon as possible, so this project is included in Phase I.
Total Cost: $264,000

Phase II

Once the work on Phase I is successfully completed, we will move on to Phase II. This second phase focuses on our school buildings.

Continue to address infrastructure issues with our school buildings

The older sections of our school range from 45 to 60 years old and, therefore, are in need of upgrading. Among the projects to be addressed during this phase are:

• The installation of new boilers, pumps and pipes; chimney lining; and replacement of boiler room electrical and control packages with more efficient units.
• Electrical system upgrades, including branch circuits, electrical distribution, fixtures and receptacles.

Total Cost: $622,000

Our Campaign

To address these important needs and raise the funds required to realize our goals, we are launching an intensive fundraising effort, entitled "Building for our Family, our Faith, our Future." The decision to move forward on this endeavor was made after much examination, consideration, and discussion with our pastoral staff and parish leaders, but more importantly, with you, the members of Holy Family Parish.

Our initial goal is to raise $3.6 million, and moving from there to exceed a challenge goal of $4.2 million. While these financial objectives may seem challenging, they are attainable.

Our Gifts

We encourage every family to make a gift of time, talent and treasure to our campaign. Throughout the upcoming months, you will be asked to prayerfully contribute to these efforts. Because we all have unique financial circumstances, you will not be asked to give equally, but rather to sacrifice equally.

Keep in mind, a pledge is an intention of good faith. Throughout the campaign, you can adjust your pledge as you deem necessary. In addition, you can structure your gift in a manner that best suits your situation. Pledges can be paid in monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual payments. (See chart on previous page for suggested gifts and their associated payment schedules.) A payment reminder will be sent in accordance to your chosen payment schedule.

You also have the option of making a gift in the memory of a loved one. Memorial gifts serve as a lasting reminder of your commitment to Holy Family Parish for generations to come. Memorial and "naming" opportunities are available for stained glass and other features. Please contact the Capital Campaign Office for more information.

All gifts will be recognized at the end of our campaign.

In the spirit of good stewardship, please consider a gift plan representing your sacrifice in appreciation for all God has given you.

Download the Capital Campaign Contribution Form (pdf)

Tax Advantages

Regardless of the size of your gift to the campaign, the payments on your pledge are deductible as charitable contributions to the fullest extent of the law. You have several options in which to make a notable gift.

Transfer of Stocks and Securities

Gifts of stocks and other securities are welcomed and encouraged. You can fulfill your charitable obligation by donating appreciated securities that you have held for more than a year. In most cases, you can obtain a charitable deduction for the stock's fair market value and at the same time, avoid paying the capital gains tax had you sold the stock and donated the proceeds. Please contact the Campaign Office for specific instructions regarding transfers of securities.

Download the Stock Transfer Form (pdf)

Matching Gift Programs

Check with your employer in regards to its matching gifts program. Many companies offer this type of program to their employees, and sometimes retirees, as a way to encourage charitable giving. You could possibly double, even triple, your contribution by taking advantage of your employer's generosity.

Keep in mind, every program has guidelines. If your employer's matching gift program does not include religious organizations, inquire about a gift to the school instead. Contact the Human Resources office of your employer to find out if a program is offered and whether you qualify. Ask for the appropriate form, complete the donor portion, and then forward that form and your pledge to the Campaign Office.

Contribution of an IRA

Through the end of this year, you may be able to rollover a portion of your individual retirement account (IRA) directly to a charity without recognizing the assets transferred as income. There are certain limitations, however. You must be 70-1/2 years of age or older, and the amount transferred to the charity is limited to $100,000 per year. Please contact your tax advisor for details.