St. Mary Magdalen Church Expansion

May 9, 2004

BUILDING GOD’S HOUSE IN OUR TIME

 

AN EDIFICE BUILT WITH LIVING STONES

 

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE

 Capital Campaign Pacesetter gifts have raised $2.2 million with 149 pledges.  Together our entire parish family can build the spiritual foundation to meet the needs of our growing family.   We thank you for doing your best, so that God can do the rest.  If you are not able to contribute at this time or do not agree with the project, know that we respect your conscience and ask for your prayers.   It would be helpful to the solicitor to answer their phone call.  We thank all who have contributed and all who are sacrificing their time and sharing the story of St. Mary Magdalen home to home. St. Mary Magdalen Pray for Us!

 

COMMENMORATIVES

$500,000  Altar           

$100,000 The Baptismal Font

      Rose Window (behind altar)

                  Bell Tower

$50,000   Stained Glass Windows (3 new)

$25,000   Retained Glass Windows (9)

                Reconciliation Rooms (2)

$15,000   Celebrant’s Chair

                 Stations of the Cross (11)

$10,000   Pews (44)

Please cal the rectory

 SMM BOOK OF LIFE

 

This week one of our parishioners asked me to explain the difference between our parish Book of Life and that in the Scriptures.

 

 In the Old Testament (Nehemiah (7:61-64), the Jews believed that God maintained a heavenly register with the names of those who belonged to Him.   In Exodus 32:32 and Ps 69:29, the wicked are erased from the list of the righteous by not following God’s will.  In Isaiah 4:3 and Daniel 12:1, the Book of Life contains the names of those who will escape the final messianic tribulation. 

 

 In the New Testament one is inscribed in the book of life as meriting a reward for good works (Luke 10:20 and Philippians 4:3).  Here “Life” comes to mean eternal salvation.  Christians are enrolled as citizens of heaven (Hebrew 12:23 ).  He who overcomes will not be erased from the book of life (Revelation 3:5), and no one who is not written in the book of life will enter the heavenly Jerusalem (Rev. 22:27).  Elsewhere, The Book of Revelation or the Apocalypse explicitly suggests predestination; those who are not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world worship the beast (Rev. 13:8; 17:8 and those who are not written in the book will be cast into the pool of fire (Rev. 20:15). 

 

The scripture Book of Life basically is a symbolic way of God judging those who respond to a personal relationship to God and live it out by doing good and avoiding evil.  God is the ultimate judge, while we are invited to keep loving and forgiving during our time on earth.

 

Our SMM Building Campaign Book of Life is a remembrance of those who are providing a larger facility for our growing parish family to worship God, learn our faith, and practice charity.  We are grateful to all who can and desires to contribute financially and for all those who do their best through prayer and charity.  We need all your prayers and be assured of ours for our entire faith family.

 

We are most grateful to the following parishioners for their donations.  If we have omitted your name, please call the rectory.

 

Anthony & Camille Antonello

Tina & Paul Barker

Phyllis & Robert Bellopede

Joanne & Lawrence Bobiak

Joseph Cotumaccio, III

Jacqueline & James Dooley

Helen & John Hartman

John & Maxine Hufnagel

Jennifer & Scott Inglis

Thomas & Maureen Kane

Patrick & Jennifer Maher

Joseph & Dolores Manion

Kevin & Kathleen McGeary

Claude & Judith Pizio

Eleanor Rostien

John & Phillis Scott

Mary Sudal

Marianne & Andrew Vickers

 

SMM BOOK OF LIFE (IN MEMORY OF)

Dr. Francis Lazorik

 

Check our Website:www.stmarymagdalen.net

REMEMBER YOUR FAMILY AS WE BUILD GOD’S HOUSE IN OUR TIME

 

JOIN OUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TEAM

FUNDRAISING CHAIRS

Charles & Jacque Aman, 610-627-5551

Bill & Jean Cotter, 610-565-3563

 

PACESETTER COMMITTEE

Rudy & Anne Chillemi, 610-566-3206

Larry & Regina Donato, 610-353-9729

Dave & Libby Franklin, 610-627-9985

Ray & Eileen Wilson, 610-891-0618

 

LEADERSHIP  COMMITTEE

John & Bernadette Brokars, 610-359-8744

Bonita & James Clark, 610-353-7930

Tom & Rodie Henson, 610-892-7361

Bob Roetz, 610-627-0326

 

THANK YOU to all the Collectors who so willingly have donated their time and talents to speak to others about Building God’s House. Soon you will be hearing from one of these dedicated parishioners.  In a spirit of hospitality please open your mind and heart to this vision for our parish.  This is also an opportunity for you to express your thoughts and concerns. Share with them things you like about the parish as well as the things you would like to improve. Express your spiritual needs and how you believe the parish can meet these needs.   Listen to them just as they will listen to you, heart to heart. This is a wonderful opportunity to evaluate how our parish is meeting the needs of our people. By truly listening to one another we can grow as a people of faith.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

Q:  When will construction begin?

A:  A successful Capital Campaign in conjunction with the matching loan from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will enable the building phase to begin as soon as we raise $3,000,000 in cash.  We hope this will be by early 2005.

 

Q: Are the Commemorative Gifts Part of the $6.1 million campaign and how will we honor those who contributed to the religious items in the past.

 

A: Yes.  The Commemorative will be given to those who pledge first.  Religious items that will be restored such as the altar and stained glass windows will honor those who initially donated them and also the new donor who will contribute towards restoring them.  If you donated any major item, please call the rectory so that we can honor you again.

 

Q:  Where will we worship during construction?

A:  Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses will be held in the Parish Center-Gym. Daily Mass and Perpetual Adoration will be held in the Saint Katherine Drexel Room.            

 

Q: How will the parish address such special occasions as weddings, funerals, First Communion and Confirmation, etc?

A:  Parishioners and Pastor will decide on one of local churches to host us.  Our pastor will officiate.

 

Q: Why is this campaign a priority?

A: To help position St. Mary Magdalen Parish in the twenty-first century as responsible stewards of what has been entrusted to us for the sake of our present and future family.  To continue the mission to which we are called. 

 

Q: How much am I expected to give?

A: Only you can decide that.  However, we hope you will consider a (three year) pledge (over and above your regular giving) that is significant for you.  Perhaps a naming opportunity would be appropriate.  The Range of Gifts has opportunities at every level.  Give until you feel good.

 

Q: Who else is being asked to contribute?

A: Each and every member of the family of St. Mary Magdalen is being invited to participate.  Other select friends and foundations may be approached as well and can Match your gift.

 

Q: What are your largest gifts to date?

A: Our highest single commitment to date is in the range of $300,000.  We anticipate commitments at virtually every level on the range of gifts.  

 

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