Come Join Us Project Update

Important Note from Father Gurnee: Come Join Us Campaign Update – September, 2026

We remain pointed toward a 2027 groundbreaking for the new parish center. Since this
campaign began in 2022, the Lord has opened a way each time an obstacle arose. That
has not changed. We have work in front of us, and we will meet it the same way we
have met the rest of it: prayer first, then focused work.

Firstly, and most positively, we have collected over $4.4M which includes the original
$2.55M bequeathment from Walter Sheehan for a parish center. We also have just shy
of the $5M goal pledged for all campaign endeavors which entails the new building
($3.5M planned), Madonna House renovation/organ renewal/rectory upgrade ($1.5M
planned). Moreover, we have raised 100% of the $3.5M toward the top priority new
parish building. To date, we have spent about $500K of that $3.5M on design, civil
engineering, fundraising, and project management costs which leaves $3M for the build.
Finally, all DC permissions are finally completed which was a major accomplishment.
The beautiful architectural design that we sent to contractors yielded bids that far
exceeded any estimations. We had 2 architectural firms, a Capitol Hill real estate
expert, and an independent contractor both setting and checking our estimations
throughout the design process, so I’m confident due diligence was being done. But
nevertheless, the astronomic bids staggered all of us, as well as all the folks mentioned
above who were cost-checking us.

How big is the gap? Big–$5M more is needed if we are going to build to that (beautiful)
original design. Impossible? Never, but we will need some big donors to help us so we
can start building on that original design in 2027.

So, I have directed the following: First, the architects are going to “re-design to budget”
the building to fit into the $3M budget we’ve already raised for this new parish center
with expansion capabilities toward full-build as more $$ are raised—initial meetings with
Graves Architects have been positive about making this happen by the end of the year,
maybe even sooner. Bare-minimum build is basically a usable space, not the beautiful
finished design product we have from Graves now: Space to seat 100 for dinner, a
basic kitchen, bathrooms, and choir space—some things may just have to wait for
follow-on phasing, but those 4 items are the minimum. Second, I’ve directed that the
next 4 months be a flurry of fundraising (and my #1 priority for the Fall), both internally
and externally, to raise that unexpected additional $5M—I’ve set the deadline firmly for
December 31 st , 2026. We can just not afford (literally) to wait any longer. In 2027, we
will apply for permits and ADW approval on the design that we have the $$ to build. We
must start building in 2027.

Everyone can help. First off, fervent prayer should always be our tactic of
primacy—there’ve been many providential miracles throughout this process since 2022

that indicate that God indeed wants us to have this building for his service—let’s keep
asking for His assistance! Second, ask if you can further support the campaign
financially–I have increased my pledge from $25k to $30k–or maybe you’re new to the
parish and haven’t pledged yet…much has already been said about our church’s
precept on material stewardship of this incredible faith we share and I can only re-
emphasize the need right now. Capitol Hill needs this peaceful community meeting-
place. Third, I’m all ears—propose any and all fundraising opportunities such as
external donors and community events that can help us tackle this current challenge.
We are not a rich parish, but many of us know people who have significant resources
and big hearts–No rich uncles should go unasked!

As always, thank you all for your continual support and encouragement—I’m confident it
will be very worth it in the end. You’ll be hearing a lot more from me this Fall from the
pulpit as we move toward 2027…our ground-breaking year.