Our Lady of Victory Parish Restoring Our Home In Faith

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1 Our Lady of Victory Parish Restoring Our Home In Faith

2 Message From Our Pastor May 15, 2010 Dear Parishioners and Friends of our Parish, Almost every time I meet a new visitor to Our Lady of Victory, that person usually says, What a beautiful church you have! It is true that we have a beautiful church building and I am sure that the thousands who have passed through the doors of our parish have held the same sentiment. Ultimately, we need to thank previous generations for the beauty of our church building. Their generosity helped break ground for our lower church in 1927 and helped to build the upper church, completed in Their sacrifice of monetary gifts to the parish community not only built the beautiful church we have today, but also made possible all the buildings we have on our parish campus. Back in late September 2009, we launched Phase One of our Capital Campaign. This was an Emergency Phase that addressed the tuck-pointing problems on our campus. As of April 30, 2010, we received 497 generous donations totalling $161,055, and were able to fix seventy-five percent of these problem areas, keeping our buildings dry and preventing further damage. Thank you for answering our call for help! Now we are heading into Phase Two of the Capital Campaign, where we are asking you to make a financial commitment over the next three years to repair and maintain our faith home. This brochure provides details of planned projects for this Campaign. It can only be done with your help! Now it s our turn to show generosity Our Lady of Victory Parish was first established over a century ago, because of a small number of people who held a common vision and a willingness to sacrifice in the name of their Catholic faith. We give thanks to God for their generous spirit because they built this campus for us. Now it s our turn to show generosity and dedication to repairing and maintaining our church so that it will be in place for future generations. Please pray for the success of the Capital Campaign. In Christ, Fr. Christopher Doering Pastor 2 Lord, what do you want to do through me to fulfill your will for Our Lady of Victory?

3 The Plan Restore, Repair, Revive Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old Our parish was founded in 1906, and the generations who came before us built our faith community and the buildings you see today. As we approach the 105th Anniversary in 2011, we thank God for the many blessings given from above to our parish throughout the years. Just as parishioners before us responded to God s blessings by building our Church and School, now WE must use the resources God has given us to restore and repair our parish buildings. By restoring and repairing our buildings, we reaffirm the heritage of faith that has been given to us. In doing so we can revive our community and help pass on that heritage of faith to future generations of OLV, continuing the valiant and faith-filled stewardship of those before us. In October 2009 we had a dire need for immediate emergency repairs (primarily tuckpointing and water damage repairs). You were asked to assist, and you came to our aid. Thank you so much for your support! Now that we have completed most of the emergency repairs, it is time to look to the future, and Phase II of our Campaign. There is much more to do in our parish buildings by way of repair, maintenance and housekeeping (electrical system upgrades, tuckpointing, replacing and repairing windows, roof repairs, boiler and hot water heater repairs, etc.). It is also vital that we renovate our church to make it more accessible for all people, regardless of their physical abilities. Kindly review the projects outlined in this brochure. Whatever you prayerfully decide to contribute will make a difference! Message from Our New Pastor Dear Parishioners and Friends of OLV, I am excited to be joining you as your new pastor at a time of great promise and renewal at OLV. I see Restoring Our Home in Faith as more than just a Capital Campaign to repair and improve our facilities. This Campaign stands as a symbol that points to our parish future as a strong and vibrant Catholic parish carrying on the mission of Christ in the Portage Park and Jefferson Park communities. In restoring our facilities we are preparing a home where we can form young and old in the Catholic faith and in the spirit of the Gospel. We want our spiritual home to be in the best condition so that we have a suitable place to train parishioners for lay ministry, to cultivate the art of music and celebrate the sacred liturgy which must truly become the source and summit of everything we do at OLV Parish. I encourage you to invest in the future of OLV by participating in Restoring Our Home in Faith. This is our time to make a significant sacrifice that will enable OLV to carry on Christ s mission for generations to come. Let us strive to be a spiritual home where all are welcome and where confidence in our Catholic faith and pride in our parish community will be the hallmarks of who we are as the people of Our Lady of Victory. I look forward to sharing this challenging but exciting time with you. May God bring to completion the good work He has begun in us. Fr. Robert Fedek Newly Appointed Pastor Lord, what do you want to do through me to fulfill your will for Our Lady of Victory? 3

4 Honoring Our Legacy Our Repair & Renovation Priorities Our Campaign Committee has been carefully examining our Parish repair and renovation needs. The buildings on our campus have aged and weathered, and much of this work is repair and updating that comes with the passage of time. The overall needs are many, with an estimated total cost of $2.3 million. This is a tall order, but with prayers, hard work and God s help, not an impossible task. PHASE II Critical Structural Repairs (Estimated Cost $777,000) Electrical $270,000 Our century old electrical system needs to be brought up to all current electrical codes. The system has not been upgraded since the construction of some of our buildings. These improvements are long overdue to meet the needs of the Parish now and into the future. The electrical upgrades will also enable vital repairs to our aging organ as well as make possible the addition of an elevator and other improvements to the school. Tuckpointing $126,000 All emergency tuckpointing work was completed in the fall of There are areas that still need attention to protect and restore buildings from ongoing and new water damage. For example, the choir loft area has been especially hard hit with water damage. Stained Glass Window Repair $104,000 These art glass windows require specialized care to repair and protect them from sun damage and physical deterioration. This project will protect the heritage and beauty of the church. Window Replacement $100,000 The windows in the Rectory and the Parish Center are in need of replacement, some being original to the buildings. Replacement would significantly lower the Parish s energy costs. Clubhouse Demolition $80,000 Scheduled to be demolished in June 2010, this project will remove an expensive and increasingly unsafe building that has become an eyesore and has reached the end of its useful life. Roof Repairs $55,000 The Church, Parish Center and Rectory roofs require repairs to prevent leaking. Boiler Repairs/ Replacement $46,000 The boiler in the Parish Center is over fifty years old and is in need of replacement. This improvement will further our goal of reducing energy usage and lowering ongoing operational costs. Hot Water Heater Repair $19,000 Currently the church is completely without access to hot water. PHASE III Handicap Accessibility Restrooms and Elevator $1,500,000 This project will make the Church accessible to all members of our community through the installation of handicapped equipped restrooms and an elevator that will reach all three levels of the church. PHASE IV Air Conditioning for Upper Church A future goal is to add air conditioning to the upper church. This would enable the possibility of creating a social gathering space in the lower church. 4 Lord, what do you want to do through me to fulfill your will for Our Lady of Victory?

5 An Eye to the Future We envision Our Lady of Victory as the jewel of the Northwest Side of Chicago, welcoming and accommodating all who wish to join us in prayer. What better way to accomplish this goal than with the installation of an elevator that would allow all people, regardless of physical ability, to access all levels in the Church, from the Lower Church to the Choir Loft. As part of this project we will be adding handicapped accessible bathrooms in the Upper and Lower Church. This will make our Parish more accessible to all, and will enhance our mission of bringing the GOOD NEWS to our community and beyond. The drawing is an artist s rendering of how the Church will look upon completion of the project. New Bride s Room and Restroom Elevator Shaft Elevator Entrance Drive-Through Access Elevator New Restroom (Old Bride s Room) Street & Chapel Level Floor Plan South Elevation Main Level Floor Plan Lord, what do you want to do through me to fulfill your will for Our Lady of Victory? 5

6 Working Towards a Common Goal The positive response of our community to the Emergency Phase of our Capital Campaign was outstanding. When we asked for assistance with the emergency request, many generous people came to our aid. We are a community that pulls together and works hard to reach our goals, and we are extremely proud of our success with Phase I of our Campaign. We are truly grateful for the dedication and sacrifice demonstrated by our Parish community. Now it is time to consider what is needed for the future. The Restoring Our Home in Faith Campaign looks to you, the faith community, to raise the funds needed to complete Phase II as quickly as possible and to raise the balance needed to complete Phase III within the next three years. We need your commitment to financial support to make our Campaign a success. An Invitation to Give You may be asking: What would you like me to consider giving to our campaign? We ask you to prayerfully consider pledging the largest gift possible for you and your family. The donations can be made in a lump sum, annually, quarterly, monthly, or weekly over the next three years. The following table may be helpful in planning your gifts. Here s how a weekly gift can grow in size over a three year period: How Your Gift Grows My Weekly Gift of: Amounts to a Monthly Gift of: Amounts to an Annual Gift of: Amounts to a 3-Year Gift of: $20 $87 $1,040 $3,120 $25 $108 $1,300 $3,900 $30 $130 $1,560 $4,680 $40 $173 $2,080 $6,240 $50 $217 $2,600 $7,800 $70 $303 $3,640 $10,920 $100 $433 $5,200 $15,600 $150 $650 $7,800 $23,400 Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into you lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you. Luke 6:38 6 Lord, what do you want to do through me to fulfill your will for Our Lady of Victory?

7 All Types of Gifts Are Welcome Every gift is important to reach our goal. Gifts can be made by cash, check, or electronically through GiftCentral.org. We can also accept gifts from your assets (stocks, life insurance, property, U.S. Savings Bonds, Certificates of Deposit, retirement funds, inheritance). If you wish to discuss these options, please contact our Parish Business Manager at Legacy Gifts If your family has been financially blessed, please prayerfully consider a major donation of $10,000 or more. Sponsor a Project If you wish to sponsor a specific part of a renovation project such as a repairing a stained glass window, or replacing a window on the campus please contact the Business Manager at Memorial Gifts Gifts can be made in honor or in memory of a loved one. Matching Gifts Can Double Your Support Does your employer have a Matching Gifts Program? Check with your human resources office, and fill out the matchinggift form to double your gift. Pursuit of External Funding While this Campaign is asking all parishioners to make a financial commitment, the Capital Campaign Committee is also committed to seek out external funding resources such as grants and gifts from Federal, State and private resources to ease the burden on our parishioners. If you can assist in identifying grants, matching gifts, etc., the Capital Campaign Committee would welcome your help. Please contact our Business Manager at , if you have any information about available grants. Please encourage interested friends and relatives to help OLV by making a pledge or one-time gift. If you would like us to mail them campaign materials, please share their name and address with our Parish Business Manager at The Decision Is Yours The gifts we are asking you to consider are challenging. But we know that God is at work in our lives, helping us grow in faith and generosity. We can t do this without YOU! Questions If you have any questions, contact Fr. Robert Fedek, Steve Kroll (stevekrollcpa@sbcglobal.net) or Roberta Moser (ROBERTAMOSER@comcast.net). Please give as God leads you. We hope that everyone shares in the future of our parish by sharing in the funding of our repair and renovation projects. We pray that all of our gift-giving decisions are motivated by the love God has shown for us in Jesus Christ. Not equal gifts, but equal sacrifices. Lord, what do you want to do through me to fulfill your will for Our Lady of Victory? 7

8 Our Capital Campaign Prayer Everlasting God, you gather us together as a parish of Our Lady of Victory to carry the Gospel of Christ to all people. Help us answer the question: Lord, what do you want to do, through me, to fulfill your will for OLV? Bless us as members of the campaign committee, the workgroups, and the members of the Our Lady of Victory family. Give us the courage to be generous in our sacrificial commitment to rejuvenate our faith home. Help us to remember all that we have been given through the sacrifice of many over the past 100 years. Let your Spirit enlighten our mind and guide our actions. May we be ready to hear and accept Your Word. May our acceptance be like that of our blessed Mother. May we be renewed in faith and united in love to bring fulfillment to the work of Your Church for Your greater honor and glory. Amen. Our Lady of Victory pray for us. Restoring Our Home In Faith Committee We are very blessed to have the following Parishioners serving on our Campaign Committee. Fr. Chris Doering Outgoing Pastor Fr. Robert Fedek Newly Appointed Pastor Steven Kroll Co-chair Roberta Moser Co-chair Joanne Leck Annette Baase Mike Hill Andrew Kraus Ted Makarewicz Paul Posch Bill Sedlacek Walter Tizura John Walsh You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God. - 2 Cor 9:11 8 Lord, what do you want to do through me to fulfill your will for Our Lady of Victory? 2010 Our Lady of Victory Parish 5212 West Agatite Avenue Chicago, IL (773)