St. Ann Catholic Church at 6529 Stage Road, Bartlett, TN 38134 US - Debt Reduction Campaign Update

In the late 1990’s, through a master planning process, the parish decided to pursue an expansion project to renovate the chapel (which was the original church building), renovate and expand the church building, and to construct a youth building.  The estimated cost of the project was $6 million dollars.  In 2001, the “Jubilee Campaign” was launched to raise $3 million to secure a $5.5 million loan negotiated by the Diocese to fund the expenses. The Jubilee Campaign collected approximately $2.8 million of the $3.4 million pledged when the campaign ended in 2007.  However, the total cost of the completed project climbed from the estimated $6 million to approximately $7.4.  These higher construction costs were due to a number of issues: higher than anticipated costs for furnishings and accessories; construction delays due to approvals and unexpected site problems, thus inflation and the need to start and stop construction added to the cost; and interest had begun to accrue by the end of the project.  This left the parish with a debt of over $5 million.

The “Continuing the Mission” campaign is a three-year campaign to pay off our debt in stages over the next several years without having to use operating funds that are designated for our ministries.  In January 2007, every member of our parish was asked to make a commitment to the campaign over and above the amount they give to the regular operating budget.   2008 marked the first anniversary of the CTM campaign.

Why Is The Continuing the Mission Campaign So Important?

To continue to be a prayer-filled and dynamic community we must preserve these elements by ensuring that we have the financial, physical, and human resources we need.  This is why our “Continuing the Mission” campaign is so vitally important and requires every parishioner’s commitment.St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians tells us for him there is “just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead. . . .”  “I continue my pursuit,” he writes, “toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling . . .” (Phil. 2:13b-14).  Paul’s words are reflected in our own parish mission statement “to seek the will of God in all things and to be formed into the Body of Christ.”  This is our mission, this is the reason we exist.  It is this pursuit we must protect and maintain.    Our mission is fulfilled through worship, celebration of the sacraments, education, and outreach.  These elements are the core of our existence.   

Continuing the Mission Two Year Update

This report provides the details of the campaign as of March 31, 2009, two years after payments to the CTM campaign began.  At the end of March, St. Ann completed the second year of its Continuing The Mission debt reduction campaign. During the past year, the parish has been able to meet the monthly payments on its construction loan and have made some progress in lowering the debt. 

 At this point, two years into our three year commitment, pledge payments should be just over 60% of the amount committed. Despite the hard economic times, over 25% of St. Ann parishioners are ahead of schedule in fulfilling their pledges, another 27% are on schedule toward doing so, and another 13% are at around 50%.

When St. Ann initiated its building campaign in 2001 one of our goals was to provide something for everyone – expanded worship facilities, meeting rooms for fellowship, new fine arts classrooms, additional athletic facilities and a place for our youth to meet.  The parish was successful in meeting this goal and since their completion, these facilities have allowed the parish to strengthen and even expand its ministries and mission. However, the parish community must remain dedicated to paying for these buildings for several years.  

*Pledges/payments were discontinued due to moving or financial exigencies

Continuing the Mission Commitment

Although many parishioners were unable to make a commitment at the time the campaign began, your participation in the parish and the parish mission is important.   Perhaps now, they can participate by making a commitment this year. We also hope that we will be able to count our new parishioners among the many families who have made a commitment and make regular contributions. 
  

To make a pledge to the Continuing The Mission Debt Reduction Campaign, to change your pledge amount, or to renew your current pledge, click here for a Re-Commitment Card that you can mail to the parish office, drop in the collection basket or attach to an email to robert.marczynski@stann.cdom.org

Automatic Contribution System Enrollment Form

To take advantage of the Automatic Contribution System that allows you to have your monthly payment deducted from your checking account, click here for an ACS form that you can mail to the parish office, drop in the collection basket or attach to an email to robert.marczynski@stann.cdom.org

Contributions are deducted on the last business day of each month.