St. Catherine of Siena Parish

The questions about the campaign are presented in two sections: pledge redemption phase and pledge solicitation phase.

Pledge Redemption Phase (December 2009 - December 2012)

Q1. The Building Our Future Campaign pledges exceeded the campaign's goal. How will the excess funds be used?

• A1: Sr Mary stated that the excess funds will be combined in a capital reserve account with Fr. Mike's bequest and the Partners In Faith funds for future use to revitalize the parish center.

Q2. When will the pledge redemption phase be completed?

• A2: We will be collecting the pledge redemptions through December 2012.

Q3. Will those parishioners who pledged receive bills for the unpaid balance?

• A3: Pat Cote, the business manager, will not be sending bills. Instead she will send reminder letters in March and September of each year until 2012.

Q4. What has been St. Catherine's experience with fulfilling pledges in past campaigns?

• A4: During the Partners In Faith campaign in 2003, approximately 95% of the pledges were collected over the 5-year redemption period.

Q5. What redemption percentage does our fundraising consultant expect for St. Catherine's?

• A5: Mick Tune believes that St. Catherine's will collect more than 95% of the pledges from made during its Building Our Future Campaign.

Q6. How does a parishioner new to St. Catherine's since the campaign now make a pledge?

• A6: Sr Mary or Pat Cote, the business manager, are pleased to provide campaign information and discuss your options. Also, Matt Cooney or Susan Piliero, campaign co-chairs, are available for discussions.

Pledge Solicitation Phase (May - November 2009)

Q1. During the parish's 2000 fundraising campaign, I remember that StC was excused from participating in the CMA (then called the Thanksgiving Appeal.) Is that true?

• A1: Pat Cote checked the records and that is not true. Pat had the figures noting the amounts that StC sent to the diocese during that campaign. Sr Mary thinks people may be recalling that the CMA was cancelled during the year the diocese conducted its Partners in Faith Campaign (2004).

Q2. There are funds in a Partners in Faith Campaign capital account at StC. These funds were returned to StC as its portion of the PIF Campaign. Is it true that these funds are allocated to the parish center and can't be used for church repairs?

• A2: Yes, this is true. In the PIF Campaign, the promotional material distributed to StC clearly indicated that funds were being raised for improvements to the parish center. There is $190,000 in this account. For the short term, some of this money was lent to the general funds for the immediate repair of the beams. Such funds, however, will be repaid to this account out of the Building Our Future pledges.

Q3. How could I contact a campaign co-leader if I wished to do so?

• A3: E-mail Susan Piliero at scp4@cornell.edu and/or Matt Cooney at mcooney@twcny.rr.com.

Q4. What was done in the 2000 project to renew the church and how much was the budget?

• A4: Many changes were made to the church and outside area around it, including: (1) strengthen the window frames, (2) install a new floor in the church, (3) gather the community around the altar platform to enhance participation in the liturgy, (4) reconstruct the altar platform, (5) reconfigure the worship area, (6) incorporate the choir into the worship community by eliminating the barrier that separates them from the altar platform, (7) create a separate area for the Blessed Sacrament, (8) create an adequate room of reconciliation, (9) install a fixed baptismal area at the west entrance, (10) upgrade the speaker system and lighting, (11) upgrade the parking area and (12) create a gathering space outside the west entrance. The budget was around $600-700,000.

Q5. I thought the consultants told us we could raise only about $600,000. How can we possibly raise 3 million?

• A5: The size of the "Building Our Future" campaign is $1.0 million. The Financial Feasibility Study done in May 2009 showed a capacity between $600,000 and $1.1 million. And the critical repair projects are now estimated to cost $900,000.

Q6. I thought we were told that it was not cost efficient to try to repair the parish center so we should just build a new one. Why are we now planning to fix it up?

• A6: Our Facilities Conceptual Study done in 2007 showed that the cost of reconfiguring and expanding the current parish center to meet additional needs was more costly than building a new one. Yet, in the Financial Feasibility Study, the parishioners indicated that they were not prepared at this time to fund a new parish center. Thus, only critical repairs (possible air quality issues and the leaking roof) will be made to the parish center in stage #1. Discussions on the revitalization of the parish center (stage #2 of the facilities project) will be begin in 12 to 18 months.

  On July 14, 2009 the Pastoral and Finance Councils voted to:

  1. develop a comprehensive plan for revitalizing the parish center in stages from 2013-2016 and present this plan to parishioners in fall 2010 or spring 2011.
  2. by 2013, develop a strategy to raise funds sufficient to cover the actions included in Item 1.

  Yet, before StC may move ahead on stage #2 work, the Diocese must appoint the new permanent Pastor/Pastoral Administrator in July 2010 so that he/she can participate in the planning phase.

Q7. Can I make my gift online or have my gift directly transferred from my bank account?

• A7: Yes. You may pay your pledge online or by electronic transfer. Please contact Pat Cote at 257-2493 or patc@clarityconnect.com to make the arrangements. We ask that you complete a Commitment Card during the campaign so we will be able to plan for the cash flow over the next three years.

Q8. How long will we be raising funds?

• A8: The "Building Our Future" campaign will solicit funds until mid November, and the parishioners will redeem their pledges over three years, ending in December 2012.

Q9. Have we considered bonds to fund this project?

• A9: The Pastoral and Finance Councils don't want to take on long-term debt. They are willing to take on only short-term debt to fund the cash flow gap between construction payments and pledge redemptions.

Q10. Why is St. Catherine's conducting a capital campaign now?

• A10: To support the critical repairs to the church and parish center.

Q11. What are those necessary repairs?

• A11: The church's 48-year-old roof is beyond its serviceable life. The cedar shakes are crumbling and coming off. Also, the church's 32 support beams were in critical need of repair and strengthening, and the HVAC systems are obsolete. The parish center also needs roof repair or replacement. Moreover, air quality tests and possible remediation were needed to ensure the health and safety standards in the parish center.

Q12. How much will these critical repairs cost?

• A12: An estimated $1.0 million.

Q13. Does the parish have the giving potential to support those costs?

• A13: According to the 2009 feasibility study, the parish has a giving potential of $1.0 million. The hope is that parishioners will rally around the campaign priorities and generously underwrite these critically needed repairs.

Q14. Are the Pastoral and Finance Councils willing to take on long-term debt?

• A14: No. The parish will accomplish only as many critical projects as parishioners are able to support through pledges redeemed over three years.

Q15. Is St. Catherine's Parish currently solvent?

• A15: Yes. The parish's only long-term liability is a small outstanding loan on the priests' residence (approximately $57,000). The church building and parish center are owned outright as is the 10 acres of land on which the facilities sit. The parish's assets substantially exceed its liabilities.

Q16. Given the tough economic times, what is the cost of deferring the facilities project?

• A16: The church and parish center are currently at risk from failed roofs and HVAC systems. Should the roof of the church fail, the cost to repair the interior of the church, while unknowable now, would be substantial. Should the HVAC system in the church fail, it would be impossible to repair because there are no replacement parts for a 45-year-old system.

Q17. Will Father Mike's passing affect the capital campaign?

• A17: Fr. Joseph Hart, vicar general for the Diocese of Rochester, wrote to Sr. Mary in July, stating, "Surely, it is in no one's mind that St. Catherine's should close or merge -- and hence, the fundraising and renovation project should continue."

Q18. What are my giving options?

• A18: You decide your personal giving schedule - weekly, monthly, quarterly, one time gifts or asset transfers, or another schedule of your choice. Decide on a plan that works for you; then, help the parish understand your giving plan.

Q19. To whom do I give?

• A19: You will provide your funds or assets to the St. Catherine's of Siena Church "Building Our Future" campaign.

Q20. What if it takes significant time for me to liquidate assets in order to contribute to the project?

• A20: We ask that you complete a Commitment Card during the solicitation period. On the card, you show the schedule by which you will be able to redeem your pledge. You will donate the assets as they become available to you. If your financial circumstances change significantly, your giving would also change.

Q21. Can I give a commitment to donate at a later date?

• A21: Yes. Your Commitment Card is a statement of intent to give a donation at a later date. You chose the amount and timing. If your financial circumstances change significantly, your giving should also change. Simply contact the parish to adjust your commitment -- letting the parish know about the change (increase, decrease or timing) in your giving.