June 22, 2025
I have good news of great joy! This is the last weekend you will hear about the Generation to Generation campaign! Yay!
I want to thank those who have made a pledge to this effort. Your pledge, to be fulfilled over the next five years, is a gift that will help the Archdiocese of Chicago and Saint George for many years beyond our current work.
I have been deeply touched by the stories I have heard of affection for our parish. I have been made aware of some people’s hardship who still desire to give something because they believe in our ministry. Others have even expressed a sense of gratitude for being asked! This is what makes Saint George such a beacon of light. People want to give of themselves.
As I was looking over the grid of gift-giving, I was struck by the column entitled, “Daily Sacrifice.” It gives the dollar amount a person would have to sacrifice on a daily basis over five years to fulfill their pledge. Then I thought about what that dollar amount represented, so:
To pledge $6,000, a person would have to give up less than the cost of two candy bars.
To pledge $9,000, the sacrifice would be a large (venti, if you please!) coffee at Starbucks.
To pledge $12,000, would require giving up a fancy coffee at Starbucks.
To pledge $18,000, the sacrifice would be less than a movie theater ticket.
To pledge $25,000, you would have to give up a bottle of wine — or a glass of wine at a restaurant!
Every person needs to make their own decision. I ask that you do so in prayer and a sense of gratitude for the gifts God has given you. Father Ken, Father John and I have all pledged because we believe in the good work of the Archdiocese and the necessity of the work at Saint George. The safety of our parking lot, not only for our cars but for our school children at recess and other activities and the fire suppression system are of paramount importance. If your generosity allows, we hope to air condition the school classrooms and enhance our fine arts program.
All of this will take time. But the results will be a lasting gift.