For many months now, we've asked you to help us build boldly for the future. Your response to that appeal has been humbling and filled us with hope for the future. Your gifts and pledges have brought us to a goal beyond our imagination - $9.2 million! We're grateful for the gifts we've received from families who've been a part of our parish since it was established in 1908 and for the $600 collected in nickels, dimes, and saved allowance and chores earnings by the children of our parish school.
Thank You!
While our "official" campaign will close on January 31, 2023, and that will be the last date that we can accept gifts for recognition on our donor wall, it will never be too late to give to this effort. Over the course of this campaign we've received gifts from $3 to $1.5 million. If you haven't yet had the opportunity to give - or if you'd like to give again in celebration - it's really easy to make or increase your gift to the Beacon of Hope campaign through the button below ~
Amazing Spirit of God, Awaken us again to your enlivening presence, in parish and school – in classroom and pew. You have guided and walked with us from our beginning, with the founding generations to the present moment. Upon your urging we now are raising up a new home for the mission you entrust to us: to be a beacon of hope in the life of our world, and a touchstone of faith and mercy for generations to come. Strengthen our commitment step by step. Clarify our vision and its application so as not to falter. Keep us grounded. Keep us truthful. Bless us with the lightness of your touch in laughter and in stillness. Remind us that we build in service of your most amazing mission to be expressions of God’s love in this place, for this time. As we are taught, we dare to pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Beacons of Hope Shine Bright to Lead Us!
Our Younger Generation
Gets Engaged in the Capital Campaign
During our school's Spirit Week (October 11 - 14), our St. Austin Catholic School students participated in the fundraising for the Beacon of Hope Capital Campaign. In the spirit of generosity and carrying out the school's mission to "prepare students to be Christ-centered, academically strong, moral community leaders" our Middle School students offered their time to help prepare for the launch of our community-wide phase of the campaign. They volunteered to create the packets that are in the pews at the Church, attended Masses to appeal to the congregation, and stuffed and stamped the envelopes for the large mailing that accompanied the launch of the phase.
During Spirit Week, the whole student body raised almost $600 by creating a competition between their "Houses". Similar to Harry Potter, our students are arranged with their Faith Families into four Houses, St. Peter (yellow), St. Paul (blue), St. Phoebe (green), and St. Mary Magdalene (red)- four of the saints that will also bless each floor of our new building. The house that raised the most money during Spirit Week won points for their house and earned themselves a free dress day.
We are so proud to announce that all of our students from Pre-K 3 through eigth grade have fully participated in the Beacon of Hope Capital Campaign and have made their mark on this generational opportunity.