December 2023
Dear Parishioners,
We hope this message finds you in good health and good spirits. We are excited to share an important update regarding our parish’s plans for the expansion of our church facilities and school. As we continue to work towards providing a better space for our parish activities and our growing school, we have made some significant adjustments to the original project scope and budget based on your feedback.
Initially, we set out with an ambitious plan that aimed to address all our needs comprehensively. This earlier plan totaled $20 million. However, after careful consideration, feedback from parishioners, and in-depth consultations with our architects, we have decided to reduce the size and scope of the project to better align with our current financial resources.
Our new project scope is now estimated at $11 million, a significant reduction from the original plan. While we understand that this change may come as a surprise to some, it is a necessary step to ensure that our expansion remains financially responsible and sustainable.
The reasons for this adjustment are to:
- Prioritize affordability and fiscal responsibility.
- Ensure that our parish can still provide an improved space for parish activities and a school expansion to serve more area families.
- Allow us to begin the construction phase sooner, thus realizing the benefits of the project more quickly.
Fortunately, we have a small number of lead donors who have pledged to match every gift to the campaign with a 2 to 1 match. This means that if the wider parish community can raise $3.7 million for the expansion, our lead donor families will contribute an additional $7.3 million to help us reach our $11 million goal. This is a wonderful and inspiring act of generosity!
Our commitment to enhancing our parish facilities and school remains unwavering, and we believe that this adjusted scope will help us achieve our goals more effectively. We are pleased to announce that we are in the early stages of planning a fundraising campaign to raise the necessary funds in support of this project. The campaign will be a collaborative effort that engages our entire parish community. We believe that by coming together, we can make this expansion a reality while maintaining the financial health of our parish.
Fundraising efforts are set to begin next year, and we will provide more information in the coming months about how you can get involved and support this vital initiative. Your contributions, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, will play a crucial role in the success of this campaign.
We are excited about the opportunities and potential that this new direction presents. The adjusted project scope and upcoming fundraising campaign signify our parish’s dedication to providing the best possible facilities for our community and school while being responsible stewards of our financial resources.
We encourage you to stay engaged and informed as we move forward with this project. We will continue to share updates and information through our parish bulletin, website, and other communication channels.
Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to St. Roberts. Together, we can make our dreams of a better church and school facilities a reality.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Anthony S. Russo
Pastor, St. Robert of Newminster Parish
