My Dear Friends and Fellow Parishioners:

Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Parish has been built upon the foundation of a strong Parish family. We can all be proud of creating a faith-filled atmosphere for all walks of life - - past, present and future. There is a strong sense of community oneness, which you have helped to create.

We are very proud of the fact that our students continue to achieve outstanding scores on national standardized tests, preparing them well for success in higher education. However, expanded curriculum and educational technologies also continue to challenge our youth making it necessary for school renovation and expansion. Also, expanded Parish ministries, and the involvement of more people, religious and lay, has necessitated the need for more meeting space and offices.

After 3 years of work, our Parish Master Planning Committee is excited to share with you this plan for expansion, Building on our Future…One Piece at a Time. Our vision is to build upon our strong sense of community and family one piece at a time. This plan will accommodate our growing community while ensuring ongoing academic excellence for our youth. We are currently working in consultation with parishioners and school leaders to constantly determine what is in the best interest of our future.

Building on our Future…One Piece at a Time will establish a Parish Life Center with meeting areas for religious education, social events, classrooms, gymnasium, childcare facilities, atrium space, teen center, a St. Vincent de Paul center and office space. Maguire Hall will also be renovated, and campus security for our children remains a top priority. We are also planning commercial development of the land north of the Parish to include more parking.

Our goal is to raise $6.5 million through a parish-wide campaign, which will first raise a minimum of $4 million in pledges. The remainder of financing will be secured from development, grants and parish savings. Also, for the 2005 Charity and Development Appeal (CDA) will be combined with the Parish 3 year campaign.

Our future is dependent on today and our vision will be realized through the sacrificial support of each of us who have made OLPH their parish home. Over the coming months, we plan to engage the entire parish, from the very young to the oldest, in a participative effort, that will build and strengthen each of us.

I am encouraged by the significant demonstration of leadership and financial support we have already received. In the first of what we anticipate will be several important milestones, this past week our campaign’s Executive Committee, chaired by parishioner and former school parent Jeff Gaia and 45 individuals representing our parish and school communities, accepted the challenge of leading this significant undertaking. Moreover, nearly $200,000 has been pledged by just a few of our campaign leaders in support of our campaign.

Under the guidance of our capable and committed campaign leadership team, over the next few months they will seek to personally contact all members of our parish and school communities Please join me in this historic opportunity to contribute to the realization of our vision for our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, ensuring a legacy of Catholic faith for those who one day will follow us.

Faithfully in Christ,

Rev. Thomas Hever

Pastor