As we approach our 50th anniversary we acknowledge that St. Regis serves as the spiritual home for more than 1350 families and 4285 members. We are blessed with a landmark church and an outstanding school.
God calls us through the Catholic Church to live our faith as the center of our lives. St. Regis Parish, through the efforts of its parishioners, touches individuals and families in numerous ways that are fostered by the celebration of mass and the education of our children. It is home for our faith family. We come here to prepare our souls, our interior life, for the ultimate salvation we desire. Salvation comes through faith and is aided by the sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation and Reconciliation, and nourished by involvement in catechesis like bible study, men’s fellowship and the Women of St. Regis.
We give our support to vocations by serving the needy, providing funeral and bereavement care and many other corporal works of mercy. These ministries are the outward expression of what we believe. In the words of St. James, “I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.” (Jas 2:18)
Like those before us, who laid a solid foundation and a great legacy, we have been entrusted with the joyful obligation to perpetuate the faith by giving our time and talent in service and prayer, and treasures in donations to meet the growing and changing needs of our Parish and School community. St. Francis reminds us that “It is in giving that we receive.”
St. Regis Parish Needs
As we approach our 50th Anniversary for both our church and school, we reflect on our blessings: we are part of a vibrant, living, growing Parish and School. Our Parish facilities have served us well during these years, however, they are ageing and in obvious need of repair and renovation. Just as we take care of our own homes, we are entrusted to take care of our collective Faith Family Home, St. Regis. Since 1959, the number of our parish ministries has grown to 60. The limitations of our current space prohibits additional ministries for seniors, the widowed, single parents, single adults and the youth. About ten years ago, many of these needs were identified and prioritized by 150 parish families resulting in the launch of the Moments in Faith Campaign. Parishioners were asked to make a long term pledge towards the project.
Declining middle school enrollment made building the new state-of-the-art middle school wing a priority. Upon completion in 2005 and subsequent curriculum advancements, school enrollment has increased to a sustainable level. This continued strong enrollment in an increasingly competitive environment validates our commitment to serving the needs of educating our youth in a Catholic faith based environment.
Phase Two of the Moments in Faith Building Project began in July 2008 with the renovation of the Church interior. With existing Moments in Faith funds, we have painted the church ceiling and improved the lighting to enhance worship.
St. Regis Fund Objective
The St. Regis Fund has been established to provide for the proper perpetual care of St. Regis as a lifetime in faith annual giving program. In response to the growing needs of our Parish and School, our goal is to institute a pattern of annual giving to the St. Regis Fund that will provide ongoing financial support to current and future capital, educational and charitable needs. Our Goal is to raise 20 million dollars over the next fifteen years. The St. Regis Fund is a capital and endowment fund that will remain separate from current St. Regis Parish Sunday collections and operating funds. The Fund will be governed by a nine member Board of Directors including our Pastor. The Board of Directors will be bound to govern the fund in accordance with established by-laws and an emphasis on short and long term parish goals, including the prioritization of fund expenditures.
Capital & Endowment Needs
The St. Regis Fund also provides endowment and estate giving opportunities for parishioners to expand their ways of giving. Interests from this part of the Fund will be used to support educational, charitable and other capital needs as St. Regis prepares to meet the challenges and ministry requirements of its next fifty years of services as we continue to nourish the spiritual life for our community.
Appeal
We ask you to embrace the St. Regis Fund as a life long stewardship model of giving. We need every parishioner and school family to support the needs of our spiritual home. Now is the time to leave a legacy in our community as we are called to insure the vitality of St. Regis for today and for generations to come. Undesignated donations to the St. Regis Fund will be prioritized by the Board to address short term capital needs, including but not limited to school kitchen, roof refurbishments, and air conditioning and heating system improvements.