By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - St. Mary's Catholic Church is seeking the help of the community as it begins is capital campaign drive on Oct. 29.
The theme for the capital campaign drive is “Together for Tomorrow, Continuing the Legacy of St. Mary's.”
The plans, which have been drawn up, are vital for the continued growth of the parish. The monetary target of this campaign is to raise as much as possible of the $360,000 needed to finance these plans.
St. Mary's is a 135-year-old structure of Italian Gothic architecture which stands majestically as a historical landmark at the corner of South Lincoln Avenue and Nieb Street in Niles.
The church leaders believe the parishioners have been blessed by God with this beautiful old building as a spiritual home, a center for worship, sacramental liturgies, a place with sturdy doors, which open wide to welcome neighbors for Mass or celebration.
They are also aware that the church is feeling its age. The cornerstone was laid in 1870 and the Catholic education began in 1873. Good Catholic people were moved to build St. Mary's for the glory of God and the benefit of the community.
These buildings have been and still are the vehicles through which they pass the teachings of their faith to younger generations.
They are their roots in a changing world. Together the parishioners of St. Mary's must carry out the legacy of Christ's mission and the legacy of St. Mary's Parish; to bring the gospel to everyone and continue the faith. the physical building must be rejuvenated as a haven for their spiritual mission and provide adaption and security for its future.
After months of assessing the needs, evaluating options and projecting what the future holds, a plan was developed to address the current needs and to provide for Catholic parish life in the community for generations who follow.
Since the amount of funds cannot be reached through normal collection income, a major fund-raising campaign is being instated which requires the sacrifice from all the parishioners. The kind of generosity and spirit sacrifice which filled the hearts of the men and women who have endured this financial responsibility throughout their history, is now upon the parishioners.
The Capital Campaign Plan includes:
Sound – optimizing the current sound system in the church and have personal systems for the hearing impaired.
Lighting – enhance the interior lighting of the worship space. Adding fixtures for brighter lighting a in the nave and ambient lighting in the cove areas of the ceiling.
Handrail – installing a handrail at the front entrance of the church to meet diocesan insurance requirements.
Painting – plastering and painting the interior of the church.
School – $60,000 for school savings / maintenance.
Rectory – $50,000 needed for improvements to the parish rectory.
Parking Lot – resealing and restripe the parking lot.
Parish – $50,000 for parish savings for unexpected expenses or shortfalls.
Radiators – install three radiators in the nave.
Youth Center – expenses for a new junior/senior high youth center.
If any community members would wish to donate to the capital campaign drive at St. Mary's Catholic Church, they can contact the parish office at (269) 683-5087.