Our Needs

The Lord is calling us to Grow, Lead and Share our living faith by addressing the most critical needs of our parish.

Through the grace of God, the Catholic community of St. Paul continues to GROW, as more people discover our vibrant parish life and deep faith.  Over 2,250 registered families now consider St. Paul their spiritual home, and our existing worship space is no longer adequate to meet our needs.

• Mass is frequently standing-room-only and the liturgy is difficult to see from the overflow seating in the vestibule.
• The sacristy is only slightly larger than a small walk-in closet and is in adequate for proper liturgical preparations. 
• Due to space limitations in the church, Children's Liturgy of the Word must be held in a separate building, posing a safety hazard during inclement weather. 
• Our one reconciliation room is insufficient and not easily accessible 
• The choir area is excessively small and lacks adequate rehearsal space as well as storage facilities for music and robes. 
• During special liturgies, the choir may be forced to use the pews, which further reduces available seating for parishioners. 
• Our restroom facilities are inadequate and lack handicap accessibility.

With the Orlando and Ocala areas expanding rapidly and more retirees relocating to Central Florida, statistics point to sustained growth throughout our region.  Completing the renovation and expansion our church will help us to LEAD more people to Jesus Christ as we SHARE the message of God's abiding love.

OUR PLANS...

The Alive in Christ Capital Campaign will enable our parish to take the next important step in preparing for the future.  Alive in Christ - the first capital campaign in the Diocese of Orlando - is intended to support the immediate and long-term capital needs of our larger Church family while providing the necessary resources to expand and renovate our parish church.  Through Alive in Christ we plan to renovate and expand our Church Interior.

Our vision includes:

• increase worship space
• Additional seating capacity of 400
• Children's Liturgy room within the main church
• Two new reconciliation rooms
• Larger priests' sacristy
• Expanded choir area with ample storage space
• Music office and library
• Larger, handicap accessible restrooms
• Additional space for our television ministry

OUR GOAL...

 Our Alive in Christ Campaign Goal is $2,200,000, payable in five-year pledges.

If we are blessed to raise the amount, $1,430,000, or 65% will be used to support our church renovation and expansion.  As member of the Universal Church, we will contribute the remaining $770,000 to our larger Church family to help fund the new projects that emerged from our Diocesan Synod.  While our goal has been set at $2.2 million, which is equivalent to twice our annual offertory, additional funds may be necessary to ensure the completion of the expansion.  For every dollar we raise over and above our $2.2 Million goal, 90% will remain with our parish to fund our renovation and expansion.

CALLED TO GROW, LEAD AND SHARE ...

We have heard the call issued by the Lord in the Great commission:

"Go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."  (Mt. 28:19)

And we have responded with a renewed commitment to GROW, LEAD and SHARE the living faith that we have received.

GROW as spiritual beings through our prayers for the success of Alive in Chris

LEAD by offering our time and talent in the service of our Church throughout this effort.

SHARE by prayerfully considering a gift.

WAYS TO GIVE ...

Making a Pledge

Pledge payments can be scheduled at the discretion of the donor, to be paid on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis beginning at any time, throughout a 3 -5 year period.  All pledges, outright gifts of capital, Charitable Gift Annuities, charitable Lead Trusts and other irrevocable planned gifts made to Alive in Christ, from the Fall of 2007 through the end of the campaign, will be counted in the final campaign total.

Gifts of Securities

It is the policy of the Diocese of Orlando to sell all securities upon receipt.  This is to minimize the chances of having adverse market fluctuations affect the beneficial interest of your gift.  Gifts in kind - real estate, insurance, closely held stock, art, and other tangibles - may be counted if they are sold and the proceeds revert to the diocese.

Bequests, Charitable Remainder trusts, and Revocable Planned Gifts

While we will commemorate and record bequests, charitable Remainder Trusts and other revocable planned gifts made to the diocese, they cannot be included in the campaign total precisely because of their revocable nature.  Unrestricted bequests received during the course of the campaign may be counted towards the campaign at the diocese's discretion.

Summary

But whatever the gift or method of making it may be, please be assured that your support is both urgently needed and will be greatly appreciated. Through the prayerful, volunteer and financial support of many, and the extra-ordinary support of a few, we will succeed in our task.

Please take a moment to reflect on this information and pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and inspire us as we respond to the exciting challenges before us.  You may contact the Church Office for more information, (352) 787-6354.