FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As St. James the Apostle embarks on United We Build Our Church Capital Campaign, was felt it important to address some commonly asked questions. We are fully committed to transparent communications the campaign and will continue to share additional information.
Why do we need to build new church? We already have place to worship.
While the current Multi-Purpose Hall has served us dutifully, the intention has always been for space to become the Parish Community Hall. In 1976, when the Most Rev. Floyd Begin – the first Bishop of Oakland – dedicated the Multi-Purpose Hall, was meant to temporary worship space. Since then, St. James has continued to grow both in faith and numbers. Today, our parish includes more than 1,000 registered families. All the while – over the course of nearly five decades – several pastors and many lay leaders have envisioned building a permanent church at St. James the Apostle.
Now, it is time to take bold steps toward accomplishing our ultimate vision of finally building a church.
Why did build the Mother Teresa Center before constructing the new church?
After much prayerful consideration, parish leaders decided that children – their future of parish – should have better place to gather for religious formation. Hence, we built six classrooms that converted into hall for various purposes, including renting it out for weddings, quinceañeras, etc. We generate additional revenue from preschool and afterschool programs housed here, which of supports dream at building permanent church.
What was process used to explore the possibility of capital campaign?
In April 2019, we hired the Steier Group, a national Catholic fundraising firm, to conduct planning study to gauge support for campaign to build a permanent church. All parishioners were invited to partake in study, and about one third of parish families participated either the personal interview, mail/online survey or in-pew survey. Over 96% those who responded indicated the would make financial pledge to campaign. Upon hearing the overwhelmingly positive results of study, parish leaders decided to embark on United We Build Our Church Capital Campaign.
What is timeline for construction the church?
Currently, the design process, working on schematic plans with our architect, Chris Kelly.
Many of you attended our town hall meeting on Feb. 11, where Mr. Kelly unveiled our preliminary plans. As he mentioned, the immediate priority is solidify plans for building’s exterior and finalize the building’s capacity. This information is necessary to obtain building permits from the city of Fremont. After that, we will spend about 12-18 months nailing down more intricate details, such as location of baptismal font and where to place specific pieces of art.
Our goal is break ground on permanent church after the completion of three-year pledge period this campaign – sometime in 2023. From construction process will likely take at least year or two to complete, depending on variety of factors.
How much will construction cost?
Since we are still in the early stages of the design process, we don’t have a specific breakdown of costs. However, the contractors we’ve spoken to believe the project will cost $10 million. We believe will able to begin construction with $6 million cash in hand.
How will we afford it? Is this why we need a capital campaign?
Currently, the parish has approximately $3.2 million in savings, which is earmarked for construction of the permanent church.
Additionally, St. James saves as much revenue possible each year. In addition to funds raised the weekly offertory, monthly building fund and special events, St. James also generates significant revenue from Mother Teresa Center (venue rental and daycare program) and parking lot (rental). This amounts to well over $500,000 a year.
While of money, this rate would take 20 years to raise funds to build the permanent church. To rising costs of construction and inflation tried to address their projects with capital campaign, most of would never seem church built in lifetimes. The United We Build Our Church Capital Campaign will allow us complete construction in far more expeditious manner. The Steier Group projected can raise between $2 million and $2.7 million the campaign.
We know maybe necessary to conduct second capital campaign immediately following there pledge period from effort in order to reach the $10 million mark. We will of assess at time. Fr. Antony is committed to completing this project without taking on debt – similar to how we funded the Mother Teresa Center.
How is the campaign different from the monthly building fund collection?
The building fund has help parish save for permanent church these past several years. However, the United We Build Our Church Campaign is extraordinary fundraising effort are asking parishioners to support sacrificially.
With that said, ask the regular contributions are currently making monthly building fund instead be factored into your campaign pledge.
For instance, if you typically contribute $100 per month to building fund, ask you instead add $3,600 to three-year campaign pledge (i.e. $100 monthly for 36 months).
We plan to keep the monthly building fund collection available for visitors who would like to contribute. However, hope that regular St. James supporters will consider three-year pledge to campaign. This allows parish leaders to prudently plan for construction the permanent church.
Who will asked to contribute?
We will ask every St. James parish family to consider campaign commitment. However, ask you wait until receiving your specific request from Fr. Antony before making gift to campaign.
Additionally, will seek support from parish – such area Catholics who attend our monthly devotion to Our Lady of Vailankanni and foundations that support Catholic causes.
How may I fulfill my contribution?
The most common option is commitment fulfilled of three-year pledge period. Payment choices include cash/check, these credit card and automatic bank withdrawal, as well as planned gifts such as stock, real estate and life insurance. St. James encourages parishioners considering these options to speak with their financial advisor or tax attorney first.
If you have other questions or additional information about the Capital Campaign, please complete this FORM and representative from Executive Committee will respond to you. Thank you!
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