Dear Parishioners:

Dear Parishioners,

As some of you may have noticed, we are removing some trees, bushes and the irrigation system on the west side of the Chapel near the playground, in anticipation of a new Mission Center. Our Facilities and Ground Team has been working on the removal of our trailers as mandated by the city of San Jose and has a plan for a replacement. We envision a new building which follows our original master building plan. This new Mission Center would be used for administrative offices and more conference rooms for people to gather after Mass. Soon, we hope to receive final approval from the city for building our new Mission Center and for enlarging of the Gathering Space. 
 
In addition, we are working on the financial aspect, fundraising, and prioritizing what is possible. Both a previous Parish Assembly and the Diocese determined that we can build only if we have the finances in hand, and do not add to our debt. So, the challenge we face is how do we finance this immediate special need for expansion. We need to address the question, "How can we afford this new addition?" First we need to look at our financial strategies.
 
SFOA has long term, medium range and special immediate needs. You helped us resolve our long term needs with your tremendous response to the Capital Campaign last year which enabled us to reduce our debt, and also helped fund the Diocese's long term endowment needs.  Your generosity in your weekly giving has enabled us to meet our current, medium range, operational needs for ministry, programs, and staffing. Now we face an immediate one time special opportunity. Since we must remove the trailers, coupled with the growing need for worship, office, and meeting space, we can take a step forward and prepare for the future of our parish.
 
In the initial phase of our building expansion project, the parish received a very generous bequest from the Vince and Colleen Cortese trust which we have matched with generous bequests from other parishioners. We are still, however, $200,000 short of having the funds in hand to afford our plan.
 
I will be consulting the Parish Council and the Finance Committee about ways and means to close the deficit in the funding.

Yours in Christ,