CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
We give thanks to you for the many blessings you have given us, especially the gift of faith
and the community we have in St. Patrick.
Guide us in our work together, that all we do may be for your glory.
Send you Holy Spirit upon us and open our hearts
to generously support the renewal of our church.
We ask this through the intersession of St. Patrick,
in the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Amen
Beloved Families & Friends of St. Patrick,
I am filled with gratitude to be your shepherd and to be part of this most beautiful historic church in our diocese. I once asked a parish family why they drive 50 minutes every Sunday, and pass a few Catholic churches along the way, to worship at St. Patrick, and their response humbled me. "We find a home here. There is no parish like St. Patrick, it is truly a welcoming family church. We experience God here, the worship is the best, rich and powerful homilies, and great music.” Perhaps you will agree with those sentiments.
Over the past few months, our parish has been involved in much needed work and renovations to our church.
The diocese has launched the Catholic Appeal of South Carolina, the annual campaign aimed at taking care of the needs of the diocese. However, because of our unique situation here at St. Patrick, we have been granted special permission by our Bishop and the Diocese to conduct our own capital campaign. While conducting our own drive, we will not be exempt from the Diocesan Appeal. However, all the money we raise for our capital campaign will remain in our parish to take care of our own urgent needs.
Restore, Renew and Revive is a three-year spiritual and financial journey to raise $2 million for the restoration of our beautiful church. Some of these needs include:
- Renovation of the Lower Church to include installation of an ADA-compliant elevator providing access to the main church and ADA-compliant restrooms.
- Code-complaint stairwell
- Restoration of our pews
- Repair to the church steeple, including replacing the stone slabs with copper sheeting
- Replacing covers that protect the stained-glass windows
- Preparations of space for the Black Catholic Cultural Heritage Center
While it is important that we reach our goal of renovating our church, it is of greater importance that we have the participation of every parishioner who calls St. Patrick their spiritual home. I realize that every family in our parish has different circumstances and only you can decide what amount to give, but we need gifts of all sizes – even $10,000, $25,000, $50,000, $500,000 or more. While we are campaigning for $2 million, the needed restoration is much more. Consider a pledge payable over three years, all pledges and donations are accepted, needed, and greatly appreciated.
If you have questions, please ask me! Kindly return your pledge envelope as soon as you get them or click on the link to set up your pledge! I thank you for your receptivity, for your prayers, and for your support. Together, God will enable us to meet the challenges of today and the promise of tomorrow. Let us keep our church for another 200 years!
God bless you as you give,
Fr. JohnBosco Ikemeh
OUR VISION
The restoration and renovation of St. Patrick is planned for three phases.
Phase I
Has been completed with early gifts from parishioners and support from the Diocese of Charleston, and included:
- Painting the interior ceiling and walls
- Refinishing the wood floors including removal of the platform between the nave and sanctuary to make it ADA accessible
- Repointing of the bricks
Phase II
Will address physical needs in the Lower Church:
- Renovation off the Lower Church to include installation of an ADA-compliant elevator and restrooms
- Code-compliant stairwell
- Preparation of the space for the Black Catholic Cultural Heritage Center
Phase III
Will address exterior repairs and restorations and will include:
- Replacing covers that protect the stained-glass windows
- Upgrade wrought iron fence around the exterior of our property to properly and proudly maintain our place of distinction within the historic City of Charleston
- Repair to the church steeple, including replacing the stone slabs with copper sheeting
METHODS OF GIVING
Donors are encouraged to make a pledge commitment over a period of up to three years. Beyond outright cash donations, you are encouraged to discuss with your financial advisor whether another way of giving might work better for your circumstances. These may include:
Stock
Donating appreciated securities can convey significant tax advantages as donors can deduct the full value of the gift up to 30% of adjusted gross income. For more information, contact Katie Breeden at kbreeden@charlestondiocese.org
Retirement Account
Donors who must take a Required Minimum Distribution from a qualified retirement account can instead direct a portion of their RMD to go directly to a charity. They avoid any taxable income in this manner. For more information, contact Katie Breeden at kbreeden@charlestondiocese.org
Life Insurance
Donors can designate St. Patrick Catholic Church as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or can surrender a paid in-full policy to the parish as a donation. Always consult your financial advisor when considering such gift.
Real Estate
In most instances, St. Patrick can accept donations of real estate pending a review by the diocese. Gifts of real estate should be readily marketable and should not be encumbered by debts, lien, or tenancies. Time shares are not accepted.
