See the Light, Be the Light: Continuing the Legacy

Dear Parishioners,
We have been gifted 171 years of God’s grace, presence, and activity throughout Union County in our beloved parish of St. Bridget. Since before the Civil War, there have been at our parish innumerable, grace-filled events, especially including baptisms, weddings, funerals, classes, festivals, meals, ministry, and so much more. That patrimony of our parish’s life is renewed each time we gather for Mass, and that only ever happens inside our beautiful church. It is inside those walls that we worship God together, and He makes us one in the Body of Christ. What a life we have been given! What a legacy we have received!!
Indeed, we have much to be thankful for at St. Bridget, and a very important way we show our gratitude for all that we have received from God and through our parish’s life is by caring for the buildings and grounds that we inherited. It is through these very buildings—especially our church—that God’s grace springs forth into our lives and overflows into the lives of those in our community. Now, in gratitude and faith, we must ensure that our church building continues to be that first and foundational point of contact between us and God for generations to come.
As many are aware, the bricks and mortar of our church need some attention. By tuckpointing our church building, we will help maintain its structural integrity and improve its appearance while protecting the sanctuary from more water damage.
For this reason, after thorough discernment and consultation, we are embarking on a capital campaign to raise $350,000 that will allow us to be more responsive to our parish needs and mission.
The brochure, linked to the right under “Read About the Project”, shares the necessary plans to ensure that we raise the funds necessary to maintain God’s house and continue to grow God’s Kingdom beyond our church building and campus. Whether you are new to our church or have been here from the beginning, I ask you to prayerfully reflect on how you have been blessed by this parish. I invite you to prayerfully consider how you are able to contribute your financial gifts to this crucial effort for our parish and join with me in praying for the success of our campaign. Sacrificial giving is an expression of our faith and in important way to respond to God in gratitude.
The Suggested Gift Chart below under “Ways to Give” details pledges ranging from $1,500 to $120,000 payable over three years. This wide range of gift opportunities makes it possible for virtually every family to take part in the program.
The support of each parishioner is vital to the success of this campaign. On Sunday, May 18th, time will be set aside for all families to make their pledge. I invited you to prayerfully discern your gift and respond with your pledge.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration and generous support for our parish as we look to the future with hope and continue to build the Kingdom of God.
Peace,
Indeed, we have much to be thankful for at St. Bridget, and a very important way we show our gratitude for all that we have received from God and through our parish’s life is by caring for the buildings and grounds that we inherited. It is through these very buildings—especially our church—that God’s grace springs forth into our lives and overflows into the lives of those in our community. Now, in gratitude and faith, we must ensure that our church building continues to be that first and foundational point of contact between us and God for generations to come.
As many are aware, the bricks and mortar of our church need some attention. By tuckpointing our church building, we will help maintain its structural integrity and improve its appearance while protecting the sanctuary from more water damage.
For this reason, after thorough discernment and consultation, we are embarking on a capital campaign to raise $350,000 that will allow us to be more responsive to our parish needs and mission.
The brochure, linked to the right under “Read About the Project”, shares the necessary plans to ensure that we raise the funds necessary to maintain God’s house and continue to grow God’s Kingdom beyond our church building and campus. Whether you are new to our church or have been here from the beginning, I ask you to prayerfully reflect on how you have been blessed by this parish. I invite you to prayerfully consider how you are able to contribute your financial gifts to this crucial effort for our parish and join with me in praying for the success of our campaign. Sacrificial giving is an expression of our faith and in important way to respond to God in gratitude.
The Suggested Gift Chart below under “Ways to Give” details pledges ranging from $1,500 to $120,000 payable over three years. This wide range of gift opportunities makes it possible for virtually every family to take part in the program.
The support of each parishioner is vital to the success of this campaign. On Sunday, May 18th, time will be set aside for all families to make their pledge. I invited you to prayerfully discern your gift and respond with your pledge.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration and generous support for our parish as we look to the future with hope and continue to build the Kingdom of God.
Peace,

Fr. Dustin Boehm

Campaign Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of life that You have given each of us. Let Your Spirit live within us, being the light that guides us throughout our lives. Give us the wisdom to see the light of Your presence all our days on this earth. Pour our Your Spirit upon the parishioners of St. Bridget Parish that we may serve You faithfully until our soul rests in You.
Open our heart and minds to You and help us to be stewards of the gifts You have given each of us. Help us to be like Mary, always faithful to You. Help us to be like St. Joseph, accepting Your call to serve You. Help us to be like St. Bridget, known for her generosity.
We especially pray for the success of our capital campaign, that we may step forward together in faith and recommit ourselves to Your mission of love. May our efforts, combined with Your grace, allow us to continue bringing people to Christ for generations to come.
Open our heart and minds to You and help us to be stewards of the gifts You have given each of us. Help us to be like Mary, always faithful to You. Help us to be like St. Joseph, accepting Your call to serve You. Help us to be like St. Bridget, known for her generosity.
We especially pray for the success of our capital campaign, that we may step forward together in faith and recommit ourselves to Your mission of love. May our efforts, combined with Your grace, allow us to continue bringing people to Christ for generations to come.
Amen.
Read About The Project
Project Scope
The church needs tuckpointing. There are places where the mortar is loose or completely gone. Tuckpointing is the process of repairing mortar joints in brick walls by removing and replacing damaged mortar. It improves the appearance of the church and helps maintain its structural integrity. We plan on cutting all mortar joints on all existing bricks and replacing them with new mortar. Work to be completed is as follows:

Bell Tower >>
Estimated Cost: $90,000
North Side of Church >>
Estimated Cost: $75,000
East Side of Church >>
Estimated Cost: $100,000
West Side of Church >>
Estimated Cost: $100,000
South Side of Church >>
Estimated Cost: $75,000
Total Project Cost:
$440,000
Less Parish Savings:
$90,000
Campaign Goal:
$350,000
Ways to Give
There are many ways you can help support our tuckpointing project. Please see below for the ways in which you can give to our capital campaign. If you have any questions about ways to give or need instructions on how to give, please do not hesitate to contact our parish office at (765) 825-8578. Taxes will be applicable if gifts are not given correctly. Please make all checks payable to St. Bridget Church.
Stocks and Bonds* >>
There are added advantages to giving stocks, bonds, and securities.
Wills & Bequests >>
Providing St. Bridget in your will can have significant federal and estate tax advantages.
For additional information, please contact the parish office at (765) 825-8578.
Tax-Deductible Gifts >>
All gifts are tax-deductible as provided by law. Receipts will be provided upon request.
Gift of Grain / Gift of Livestock >>
Before selling, please contact the parish office at (765) 825-8578 for instructions.
IRA Gifts* >>
People over 70 ½ years old may also be eligible to make a charitable gift from your IRA
assets with no tax complications.
Matching Gifts >>
Many firms have matching gift programs to provide incentive for their employees to
make charitable donations. Please ask your Human Resources Department for a
matching gift form. Both current and retired employees may be eligible.
Pledge Installments >>
You will receive two “Continuing the Legacy” Capital Campaign envelopes in your bimonthly envelope packets. Please make your checks payable to: St. Bridget Church.
*Talk with your financial advisor for more information on making these types of charitable donations.
