Sacred Heart of Jesus Capital Campaign at 156 Valley SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 US - About Our Capital Campaign

Background

When Polish immigrants located in southwest Grand Rapids in the late 1800s, they formed the third Polish-speaking community in this part of the city and what eventually became Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish.  From our humble beginnings, our parish has grown significantly.  Today we are a diverse, vibrant faith community whose members live in nearby neighborhoods and all across the greater Grand Rapids area.  We are active in worship and ministry, faith formation and evangelization, and in community outreach.  We celebrate and support each other through life’s milestones, and we truly enjoy each other as members of one faith family.

Need

Our parish facilities provide the means to carry out the mission and ministry of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish.  These buildings are gifts from earlier parishioners and bring with them the responsibility of good stewardship.   It is our turn to restore our facilities to assure that they will continue to serve future generations of parish families.  Toward that end, parish leadership has worked with an architect to create a master plan to repair and preserve parish facilities, starting with the church.

Plan

Our beautiful church, modeled after St. Paul-Outside-the-Walls in Rome, has served us well for nearly 90 years and is at the heart of everything we do as a parish.  Today, however, it is in disrepair.  The south tower, the roof and exterior mortar and brickwork require immediate attention to prevent further damage from water infiltration.  Because this work will require scaffolding, it makes good financial sense to repair church windows at the same time (to avoid having to pay twice for scaffolding). 

In order to make our church campus more hospitable for members and visitors, we will install an elevator in the church to provide easier access to the basement.  In addition, the plan calls for upgrading the ventilation system in the church basement. 

Outcomes

Repairing the exterior of the church and upgrading the interior with an elevator and a new ventilation system shows our ongoing commitment to God’s work.  Our strengthened towers will stand as a beacon for the Catholic Church in Grand Rapids and our carillon bells will continue to invite both parishioners and visitors to join us in worship and ministry.  Improved accessibility and a more comfortable environment will encourage greater participation in parish activities and help build community within our faith family.  Further, when we preserve our church for future generations of Sacred Heart members, we honor the sacrifices of those who came before us.

Cost

The total cost of Phase I of the master plan is approximately $2.1 million, of which $150,000 will come from the elevator fund and parish reserves.  Projects within Phase I have been prioritized and will be addressed in priority order as funding becomes available.  That will allow us to avoid debt and maintain our operating budget to support ongoing ministries.

Capital Stewardship Campaign

The Renewing Our Legacy of Faith capital stewardship campaign focuses not on money, but on faith.  It is a process that takes us from discernment to response.  It asks us to think about our gifts from God and how He wants us to use them for Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, and then to respond with a sacrificial gift over and above current giving.  When we work together, we can accomplish so much more than when we work alone.  And when we work according to God’s plan, we can accomplish everything.

What Are We Asked to Do?

• Begin now to pray to recognize our blessings and how we are being asked to use them in this campaign.  Remember that all that we have comes from God and we are accountable for what He has given us.
• Participate actively in the campaign.  Tasks have been divided into small jobs so that everyone can play a part.  Say YES when called to volunteer!
• Be positive!  This campaign is important to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish now and for the future.  Pray daily for campaign leadership and volunteers and for the campaign’s success.
   

Follow this link to view our capital campaign video.