The Capital Project Fulfillment Committee (CPFC) wants to update you, on the status of the campaign.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
The campaign is moving forward in earnest. We have a clear vision and much work has been done. The renderings you have seen are the vision. The Parish and School leadership have been meeting to make that concept come to life in concrete plans. Stay tuned!
May 19, 2023
Campaign update letter to the parish at large
Dear fellow parishioners:
Our Something Special Project continues to move forward! Recently, the parish established the Capital Project Fulfillment Committee. The mission of this committee is:
To bring the Something Special project to completion while providing timely communication to parishioners, collaborate with Archdiocese of Louisville offices and the Building Committee, work with the Finance Committee and continue to fundraise.
As we move through the project, the committee wants to ensure that all parishioners receive timely communications on the status of the project. The Archdiocese has steps for a large capital project with a capital campaign, and for each step the parish must meet certain criteria to gain approval from the Archdiocese to move forward.
Recently, we hit a fundraising milestone of 80% of Phase I funds received or pledged. This allowed us to move forward with an architect to start schematic designs. For the conceptual phase JRA Architects was utilized. However, due to the scope of the project and the amount of contract, the parish is currently receiving bids from other Architectural firms.
As of the writing of this letter we have in cash and pledges $3.577 million towards the original $4 million Phase I budget. We thank all of those who have committed to this project already. With the financial support of all parishioners, together we will make Phase I happen.
Please reach out to any committee member, or the parish office, with questions or concerns.
Together, we are…Something Special
Something Special Project Fulfillment Committee
Christine Kesler, Chair, member of Parish Council
Linda Carter, Campaign Coordinator
Steve McSwain, Consultant
Randy & Karen Graehler, Co-Chair Capital Campaign committee
Larry & Jan Bloemer, Co-Chair Capital Campaign committee
Paul Stratman, Co-Chair Building Committee
David Hayes, Co-Chair Building Committee
Jay Wissing, Finance Committee
Andy Puffer, Parish Council
Pamela Carter, Parish Communications
Morgan Wissing, Principal of School
Matt Carter, Booster President
Maria Hawkins, PTO President
Peter Kremer, Parish Liaison
Justin Vetter, Parish Liaison
Paige Dennison, Parish Bookkeeper
Since the May letter went out to the parish, there have been many updates.
We have made a few sub-committees to work the committee more efficiently.
Sub-Committees include:
Building
Marketing
School
The Building Sub-Committee
We have had many road blocks that we had to get through over the past 3 months.
The Marketing Sub-Committee
We are currently working with Father David to relaunch the campaign. This relaunch will now market to all school families and alumni as well as the parishioners.
The School Sub-Committee
Our Prinicpal, Morgan Wissing, formed this to gain input from the teachers and staff at the school.
Dear Friends,
By now, many of you are aware of the Something Special Capital Campaign…which stems from a process that started more than 5 years ago with a simple
question: Where can we hold bereavement meals after a loved one’s funeral?
Our process began with listening sessions, then our world was turned upside down with the Covid pandemic which slowed down everything. In January 2021, we were awarded a wonderful gift from the estate of Mary Alice Lawler, a beloved teacher for many years and we were reminded that in spite of what the world hands us to deal with, our mission as a parish community does not change. So, we forged ahead by asking the Archbishop for permission to proceed, hired an architect and a consultant, conducted surveys, held meetings, formed committees…all of which brings us to where we are today – embarking on a wonderful project that will lead us into the future, just as generations before have done!
This brochure will help fill in the details of our campaign with photos, an outline of the project including costs, and what we need monetarily from the community to make all of it possible.
We must have the generous giving of many and the extraordinary giving of a few.
Many of you reading this have been with us through many of the more recent
milestones. Because of our growth in the last few years, our newer families will also have the opportunity to be part of this significant milestone and to take part in this capital campaign.
As good stewards of the facilities given to us from our founding members and those who have gone before us, it’s now our turn to enhance and expand our
facility and ministry footprint, contributing something significant to help extend into the future that “something special” which is Our Lady of Lourdes.
I invite you to join me in prayer and in making a pledge in support of our “Something Special” capital campaign.
Fr. Scott Wimsett
Pastor
Because of the increase in building costs, Archbishop Fabre has granted permission for us to proceed with the project in a phased format. Phase 1 will be the addition and renovation of the school, which is projected to cost $4.5 million. The campaign will continue its focus on raising the entire amount and we'll move forward as we can.
JRA Architects will put together the design team and meet with our Building Committee in early December to lay out the process.
100 families identified as lead gift donors were invited to a dinner at Big Springs Country Club on October 23rd. 35 families were in attendence. While some pledges were designated "tentative", other firm pledges were made totally $910,500.00! Enthusiasm for our project contines to build!
Our recent Feasibility Study is complete and has been sent to the Archbishop’s office for approval. The good news is...the Archdiocese has approved our project plans and we are now preparing for a capital
campaign. A synopsis report of the feasibility study results can be found HERE. If you are interested in reading the entire study, you may do so by making an appointment at the office to review the lengthy report.
“What happens now?” you ask. The report revealed strong support for the proposed project and the planned facility updates. There were concerns expressed through the study, however, particularly around the architectural design of the proposed Administrative Office Building. Consequently, we have asked our architectural firm to redesign the facility making it more complimentary of the design of our beloved church. We anticipate the redesign soon and, when received and approved, we will share it with you.
Meanwhile, we are assembling a Leadership Team to guide the campaign. Some of you may be asked to serve on this team. All of you will be encouraged to pray and participate in parish plans going forward. A campaign calendar will highlight the three main phases of our campaign and the many opportunities we will provide for information and inspiration going forward. These and other campaign-related announcements will be accessible to everyone via this website and our bulletin.
During Phase 1, we will finalize architectural plans, prepare our parish and school staff for the campaign, assemble and train a Leadership Team to guide the campaign, design and develop all printed materials, video, etc., and host conversations with those who having the capacity to make a donation larger than most would be able to make.
During Phase 2, the campaign will focus on reaching the many groups, organizations, committees, families, and host of volunteers who make up the core group of leaders and their families who serve in volunteer positions either in our parish or school or both. The campaign will take a brief pause through the Advent Season and pick up again right after the new year.
While Phases 1 and 2 are typically referred to as the “Quiet” period of a
capital campaign, the new year will launch the “Public Phase.” The primary difference between the two is simply this: During the Quiet Phase, preparation and organizational development takes place to ensure a successful campaign. During the Public Phase however, we pull out all the stops, so to speak, as everyone is invited to join hands and hearts in a congregational commitment to the campaign and, more importantly, to the positive and impactful future of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and Parish School.