From the Friars

We want to express our joy of being able to serve all who attend Mass and participate in the ministries and activities here at St. Philip Benizi. This is a dynamic faith community, rich in diversity, which welcomes new people with open arms and open hearts. We are impressed with your spiritual vitality and your willingness to take on challenges. Visitors rarely fail to comment on the fine, spacious campus that we are so fortunate to have. We know, however, that our church and other buildings resulted from the prayer, planning and commitment of many St. Philip Benizi members. Some of those who attended those first Masses in the old drugstore 38 years ago are still active in the parish today.

Fr. Pedro de Oliveira, OFM Conv.,
Fr. Greg Hartmayer, OFM Conv.,
and Fr. Vincent Gluc, OFM Conv.

Just as those founding members did back in 1965, it is time for us once again to look to the future and pray for guidance. We have a plan to build, renovate and upgrade our facilities. Now is the time for us to make our sacrificial pledges to ensure that future generations will benefit from our legacy, just as we benefit daily from the sacrifices made by St. Philip Benizi parishioners over the last four decades.

As you prepare to follow through with your pledges, please review the information and updates presented in these pages. Join us as we pray daily that His will be done here at St. Philip Benizi Parish.

Peace and all good things to you.

Fr. Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv.    
Pastor   


From the Campaign Co-Chairpersons

Back row:  Bob Arnold, Don Gibbs, Rhonda Chambliss, Leonard Chambliss, Peter Bregman.
Front row: Bev Arnold, Matiana Rios, Cecile Bregman. Not pictured: Joyce Gibbs and Ubaldo Rios.
 

For us, this Capital Campaign is an opportunity to support the parish that is our spiritual home. It is our chance to give back to God the first fruits of our labor, and it is an occasion to give something to the present and future generations at St. Philip Benizi.

Like most of you, we have to budget our money carefully to make sure we provide adequately for ourselves and our children. We know, however, that we will make a sacrificial commitment over the next three years to St. Philip Benizi Parish.

If you have not done so yet, we invite you to send in your pledge card. Please remember that: "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone."  – 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Campaign Goal is 100 Percent Participation
Growing Together ... Building in Faith

Some of the founding members of
St. Philip Benizi Parish: John and Mickey Todd,
Mary Lynberg, Mildred Green and Hans Broder, Sr.

For almost 40 years, the parishioners of St. Philip Benizi Parish have stepped forward to further the vision and mission of our spiritual home. From a small group of dedicated Catholics who met in a drugstore, we have grown to 2,100 families who practice our faith at Mass and through our various ministries and programs. In the past, as we have needed to expand, we have built new facilities. We are now at the point where we have outgrown our space, and we need to expand again.

Many of us are already familiar with the proposed master plan for building and renovating from the discussions at the campaign dinners or by reading in the campaign newsletters. The plan involves: a new building for Religious Education and adult meetings; renovation of the current Education Building administrative offices and meeting rooms; and expansion and renovation of the Parish Hall.

The total cost for the proposed project is $5.2 million. While this is a lot of money, if all 2,100 families make a pledge over the next three years to help pay for this project, St. Philip Benizi Parish will be able to begin the project in the spring of 2004.