Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mary’s of the Lake:

 


◆ So far, I believe you have heard and learned that our Parish and our Diocese
have been engaged in a planning process to assess our needs as well as to see our potential growth. After much prayer, discernment, and consultation on various levels, our Bishop Ricken is launching a Capital Campaign called one by One in our Diocese of Green Bay. All parishes in the Diocese will be in one of the three blocks --in addition to 12 parishes already in a pilot block. Bishop Ricken himself has been directly involved in & responsible for what is called “Bishop Ricken’s Leadership Gifts.” Both St. Mary’s of the Lake and St. Ambrose (Wabeno) are in block #1. As a matter of fact, our parish community is currently embarking on this very important Campaign. This diocesan-wide campaign will empower each of us to more fully share in the mission of the church. With the grace of God, this Campaign will help our parish not just to survive, but to thrive. Through this Campaign we will be able to share with many more people the healing, teaching and loving presence of Jesus where we live, work and pray. We are called, one by one, to share our faith with people and help them build a deeper relationship with Jesus. The one by One Campaign will raise funds to help our Parish with critical needs, enhance Catholic education, broaden social services programs and living justice ministries and care for our seminarians. Half of what we raise will go toward needs within our parish. The remaining 50% will be used by the one by One Campaign to support Diocesan initiatives that help our Parish and enhance Catholic schools. Ultimately this Capital Campaign will help lead more people to discover, follow, worship and share Jesus.

◆  Recently, a letter has been sent to each household in our Parish to invite you to come to an informal ‘Reception Presentation,’ during which we will hear many practical details concerning the Capital Campaign –e.g. what exactly is the one by One Campaign? Why & how to give to the Campaign? What are the Campaign priorities (the important areas the money is used for)?  By and large, each parish will have a goal to meet; and all parishes are asked to put forth a good faith effort to reach their campaign goal. As you notice in the letter to you, the 2 dates set for the ‘Reception Presentation’ are: WED October 23 at 6 PM & WED October 30 at 12 noon. Please plan to come the Church Hall on one of the two dates to socialize, to enjoy some finger foods, to listen, to ask questions etc., as we together enter the one by One Campaign.  Over and above everything, please pray for our Parish, our Diocese, and for the success of the Campaign to glorify God and to benefit His people. 

Fr. Philip