What is "Building Our Catholic Community Together"?
Building Our Catholic Community Together is the name for our Capital Campaign at Blessed Sacrament Church. Based on significant examination and study of our faith community needs over the last several years, this campaign is seeking to expand our Parish Hall and build a Family Life Center to provide essential space for our parish and school's present needs. We will also implement water management and infrastructure improvements for our campus.
What is the first phase of the building project?
The first phase creates a unified campus that is equally useful for daily school and parish events. Added space will be highly flexible for current and future needs. Our patient and thorough planning will ensure Blessed Sacrament is a center of Catholic worship and activity for Tallahassee.
Expanded Parish Hall: The floor space of the Parish hall will double, and flexible classrooms and meeting spaces will be added to serve our parish and school's growing needs and alleviate scheduling issues. A much-needed elevator will be added along with additional restroom facilities.
A commercial kitchen will be constructed adjacent to the Parish Hall to prepare lunch for Trinity students and serve large parish gatherings. The existing kitchen will be retained. Outdoor reception and meeting space between the buildings will provide more space for simultaneous events.
Family Life Center: A new Family Life Center will include space for large parish and Catholic community events and a sports facility for Trinity and Blessed Sacrament youth groups. It will be suitable for plays, concerts, science fairs, and exhibitions. The Family Life Center will connect to the parish hall and school.
Water Management & Infrastructure Improvements: Regular flooding throughout our campus, and even in some buildings, is a challenge the parish has endured for some time. This is, of course, due to the elevation changes in our neighborhood. Finding and implementing solutions is a priority.
The project will also address the need for more parking on campus. With careful planning, the project will increase parking by 75%. We will do this by including paved parking at the Neumann Center and installing a more efficient parking plan in paved areas.
Early Childhood Education Area: As funds are available, incremental additions to a comprehensive early childhood education area will be made.
What will future phases include?
Future years will involve completing the masterplan to include enclosing the atrium and multipurpose area, relocating the school offices to an appropriate "front" of the campus, and creating a larger bookstore. We will also complete the early childhood learning village for children ages 2-5. Following our comprehensive site plan means everything accomplished at a particular phase contributes to the thought-out vision.
How much should I give?
After prayerful consideration, you should select a sacrifice that your family can make given your financial resources and obligations. Recommendations are included in the Faith Promise Giving Plan that each family receives.
Should I consider making a down payment with my pledge?
Yes. Receiving funds up front will make it easier to meet the costs of construction without having to incur the expense of a bridge loan.
Gifts of stock have tax advantages
If a stock has been held long-term (over one year), the donor does not have to pay capital gains tax and is allowed a tax reduction for the full value of the stock. There are similar advantages to giving from mandatory 401K distributions. Please call the parish office for instructions.
Is my contribution in addition to my regular tithes and offerings?
Yes. Your contributions for this project are in addition to regular offertory. Please continue your regular giving to fund ongoing parish and school operations.
Will my contribution be used for other parish or diocesan purposes?
No. All donations received will go into a separate, special account, already authorized to be used only for this construction project. Every single penny.
Are all parish families asked to give?
Yes. Each parish family is asked to make a sacrificial financial commitment. The total amount of your Faith Promise may be paid over a three-year period and, in most cases, is fully tax-deductible.