November 19, 2006

Why a new rectory?

• The current rectory was intended to be “temporary housing,” but it has served as the priests’ residence for 35 years !

• Priests need privacy too. The new rectory will have individual living areas for each of our priests.

• Because retired/visiting priests and seminarians will want to stay in our new rectory, additional guest suites are planned to accommodate them.

• The new rectory will be built as a permanent structure. And, the brick exterior will match the exterior of the church. Someday, maybe one of your sons or grandsons will live there.

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November 26, 2006

I am making a campaign pledge but I still have issues with some of the remodeling.

• Remodeling and rebuilding wi1l be an enormous undertaking in a parish of 6200 families, so it’s understandable that not everyone agrees with every detail of the project.

• Stay informed about our progress; read the information in the materials you received; see updates in the More Informed; pick up a video in the parish office, watch it again at home.

• Think positively about the need for the remodeling; especially the things you don't see like the failing sewer lines, fire safety, mechanical, electrical, and sound systems, also air conditioning. Thirty thousand people pass through this facility every week of the year, for the past 35 years. It is time to remodel.

• Remember, our priests are assigned here for a short time; they will come and go, but it's our church and it's God's house. It should be as beautiful as we can make it.

• Finally, Father Andrew is confident that we are doing God's work. So, if you have concerns, Father will be glad to discuss them privately with you; he will even come to your home. Call for an appointment.

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December 3, 2006

As part of our pledge, can we donate shares instead of cash?

That's a great question! Yes, you can donate appreciated stocks and mutual fund shares rather than cash.

For example, if you have $10,000 in stock purchased years ago for $1000, you can avoid federal capital-gains tax on your $9,000 gain by donating the securities to our Capital Campaign... and St. Thomas More will not have to pay tax either.

You can deduct the market value of the shares as a charitable gift if you itemize deductions. To give appreciated stock, you must have held it for more than a year and it must be publicly traded.

Submit a letter of request authorizing your broker to transfer ownership to St. Thomas More. It's that simple and certainly worth considering as the year end approaches.

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December 10, 2006

How much am I expected to donate to the Capital Campaign?

• All STM parishioners are asked to participate at whatever level possible - beyond your regular offertory pledge - over a three-year period.
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After prayerfully considering our blessings, we are asked to make a once-in-a-lifetime sacrifice by returning a gift to God in the form of a Jubilee Pledge.

• The contribution you indicate on a pledge card, is a sacrificial gift between you and God. Pledge cards are handled by the campaign office personnel only.

• Jubilee Pledges are intended to be equal sacrifices – not equal gifts. Remember the widow in the Gospel; she gave from her substance, not her surplus.

• For those who have been given much, obviously more will be expected. If you have already turned in your pledge card . . . . . Thank You!

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December 17, 2006

Will the Adoration Chapel be relocated?

• Yes it will. . . . . . because church law now requires that an adoration chapel be attached to the main church sanctuary; so it will be located directly behind the altar.

• The chapel will be beautiful, silent and more suitable for quiet meditation. Adjacent parking is in the plan and the entrance will be well-lit and secured at night.

• A single tabernacle will be visible in both the main sanctuary and in the adoration chapel. An exquisite white statue of an angel in a kneeling position will be positioned on each side of the monstrance.

• Our new chapel will be large enough to accommodate an entire class of students from the R.E. programs, from the school and the youth groups – a wonderful spiritual experience and a learning opportunity for the young people of the parish.