A Fall Invitation to Care for our Parish Home
Dear Parishioner,
There were only a dozen Catholic families in the area known as Collegeville in the late 1800’s. They gathered for Mass in a local hotel. The first resident priest arrived in 1911.
Those Catholic families multiplied and continued to come together to worship. When we outgrew the hotel, we bought new ground and built a new Church. Over time, those Catholic families became us … over 4500 registered Catholic families of the Church of St. Eleanor. And we continue to grow!
That’s why it’s so important that our current families take the time to update their information for our parish files. Equally important is to remember the needs of our Parish as we begin our customary Fall Census Appeal.
I remember when I was little, every Fall weekday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. the priests would walk through the neighborhoods of our parish visiting each family block-by-block. Father would update our census information, enjoy some conversation, bless our home, and – if his timing was right – even manage a quick dinner before continuing his important visits. Part of those encounters often included a donation by each family to support the extraordinary needs of the parish. We used to call it the Block Collection. Today we call it the Census Appeal, with those personal visits replaced by this letter. It’s unfortunate but necessary -- as I’m sure you understand. Equally necessary is my obligation to provide context for this annual appeal.
Before I do that, I’d like to share the fruits of your generosity since the conclusion of our Lenten Appeal. The list of completed projects is impressive:
- Repairs and drain work for our parking lots
- A new fire alarm system for the Church and the parish office buildings
- Enhanced outside lighting
- Installation of stair railings
- Additional defibrillators
- Excess snow removal due to multiple winter storms
This summer we moved into a second phase of addressing deferred maintenance. Belt tightening and a security grant are helping us address these projects currently underway or planned for completion this year:
- Extensive sidewalk replacement
- New audio system for the Church
- Campus signage
- Replacement of the posts and chains along the roadsides
- Security upgrades for all Church and parish office doors.
It’s worth noting that a generous parishioner dedicated his time and materials to recently paint the entire interior of the church -- including hours of repair to sections of dry wall due to previous water leaks. He wishes to remain anonymous, but our gratitude for him and his fine work is strong. So is the mission of our beloved Church.
Those old trails have become roads. Generations continue to walk through the doors of the Church of St. Eleanor for Baptism, Confession, First Communion, Matrimony, Funerals, and to unite in community. This Fall we will launch our Pastoral Plan to emphasize Jesus Christ at the center of our lives. Of course, while we no longer walk our parish block to block, our priests are available at any time visit and bless your homes! And while a “block collection” is no longer practical, the extraordinary needs of our parish remain a reality.
Please be mindful of this Fall Census Appeal and consider a donation that will help address these upcoming maintenance projects:
Church building caulking -- $50,000.00
Roof Seam repairs on the Church building -- $7,500.00
Parish Office Caulking -- $7,500.00
Church Main Hot Water Heater / Parish Office -- $6,000.00
Chimney Crown repair on the Church -- $5,000.00
Total: $76,000.00
To make a gift please use the enclosed envelope that was sent to homes and deposit it in the basket on Sunday, click the link below or scan the QR Code:
I have been your pastor for over a year and I’m so grateful for your kindness and generosity. Today, our pastoral work continues in the same spirit since the first resident priest arrived in Collegeville 115 years ago. Thank you for growing together!
Together with Fr. Bordonaro, Msgr. Murray and our excellent Finance Council of parishioners, thank you for your exceeding generosity, which literally paves the way to our continued and rapid growth.
Gratefully in Christ,
Rev. Msgr. Brian Bransfield
Pastor
