St. Pat’s Capital Campaign
St. Patrick Parish is preparing to renew our Crane Road campus—creating a more beautiful place to worship, more welcoming spaces to gather, and facilities equipped to serve our growing parish for generations.
Latest News:
(August 7) A request to proceed with the renovation of the Crane Road Sanctuary and Narthex; and renovation and expansion of Dempsey Hall were submitted to the Diocese of Rockford for formal approval. In addition, we requested approval to retain an architectural firm (one of four that submitted proposals); and approval to retain a Liturgical Design-Build firm (one of three that submitted proposals).
(August 14) The Diocese of Rockford granted approval to proceed with the projects as proposed! The Diocese also approved the retention of an architect and provided a referral to the law firm that handles all large contracts for the Diocese.
(September 1) A request to proceed with the renovation and expansion of the Marian Prayer Garden was submitted to the Diocese of Rockford for approval.
(September 10) The Diocese of Rockford granted approval to proceed with the renovation of the Marian Prayer Garden in concept, subject to receipt of formal plans and multiple bids for the work.
(September 20) The Business Office completed the input of all campaign pledges into the system and began issuing notices to all parishioners who have made pledges. Please contact the Business Office if you have not received a notice; if you received a notice in error; or, if you have not yet provided a time frame for payment of your pledged amount.
(September 23) The law firm appointed by the Diocese of Rockford completed its review and final draft of the contract for architectural services; which has now been provided to the selected architectural firm for review. The law firm also completed its draft of the contract for liturgical design/build services, and that contract has been provided to the selected firm.
(September 25) Formal plans for the Marian Prayer Garden renovation were completed and are being circulated for competing bids.
For more than 175 years, St. Patrick Parish has been a place where faith is taught, celebrated, and lived. Faith for the Future reminds us that the sacrifices we make today will bear fruit for generations to come. By supporting both our parish and the wider diocesan mission, we help ensure that our children, grandchildren, and all who follow us inherit a strong and vibrant foundation of faith. This campaign is not simply about buildings—it is about strengthening the Body of Christ and securing a future with Christ at the center of our lives.
Our parish continues to grow, and with that growth comes an opportunity to create spaces that reflect the beauty, warmth, and vitality of our faith community. Through our Capital Campaign, we are renewing our Crane Road campus—enhancing our sanctuary, expanding spaces for hospitality, and ensuring our facilities serve our parish for generations to come. Your gift directly supports this vision. Together, we can build a parish home that welcomes all and proclaims the light of Christ to our community.
Next Steps:
Crane Road Campus Renovation and Expansion
In the next month, we anticipate finalizing the contracts for architectural services and liturgical design/build. Once finalized, we will begin the design development process. Our anticipated completion date for plans and specifications is currently April 1.
Throughout October, we will be meeting with various ministry leaders to review the conceptual floorplans and obtain insights as to how the designs will impact ministries and what changes can be made to better serve our mission of putting Jesus first.
Monsignor will hold several informational meetings for the Parish in November to reveal the current designs and concepts.
Marian Prayer Garden
Bids for the work will be accepted in the first 10 to 15 days of October. Weather permitting, we will begin the renovation and expansion of the Marian Prayer Garden following award of the bids.
Preparation of the site is anticipated to begin in the first week of October. This will involve removal and relocation of existing landscaping and the statue of Mary.
Campaign Information
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Each one of us is invited to prayerfully consider a sacrificial gift to the Faith for the Future Campaign. Every parishioner’s participation—regardless of the size of the gift—helps ensure the future vitality of our parish and the Church. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
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The goal is not simply aesthetic but spiritual—sacred beauty draws the heart to God. As Pope Benedict XVI said, “Beauty…gives man a healthy ‘shock,’ it draws him out of himself, wrenches him away from resignation and from being content with the humdrum.” A renewed sanctuary becomes a visible catechesis of the heavenly reality we celebrate at Mass; and placing the baptismal font front and center reminds us that we enter union with Christ through baptism.
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Our parish continues to grow, and with that growth comes the need to invest in our facilities so they reflect the beauty, warmth, and vitality of our faith community. The Capital Campaign allows us to address long-term needs through a comprehensive plan that supports our parish’s mission for generations to come.
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The Faith for the Future Campaign is a diocesan-wide capital campaign. A portion of every parish’s funds raised supports diocesan ministries and programs, while the remaining funds are returned to the parish to support local priorities and projects.
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The Diocesan capital campaign is a once-in-a-generation campaign that will be used to establish long-term funding and support for many of the diocesan programs. The Diocese previously held the United in Faith Campaign in 2001, and those funds have been used for long-term support of needy parishes, Catholic schools, priest retirement, faith formation, and seminarian education.
The Diocesan Appeal is an annual appeal that funds day-to-day diocesan operations and supports a number of ministry offices including Catholic Charities, campus ministries, priests’ retirement, faith formation, and seminarian education.
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No. The Stations of the Cross are not being removed or replaced as part of this campaign. They remain an important devotional and spiritual element of our parish life.
Likewise, the Adoration Chapel is not being eliminated. Eucharistic Adoration continues to be a priority, and any future updates would focus on preserving and supporting this sacred space. -
Updates to Dempsey Hall and the kitchen are intended to improve functionality, safety, and accessibility for parish ministries, gatherings, and events. These improvements are designed to better support parish life today and for generations to come, not to change the purpose or spirit of these spaces.
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Construction of this scale requires professional planning, architectural design, diocesan approval, permitting, and bidding prior to any groundwork.
As a result, we anticipate that work will begin in June 2027, aligning with summer recess so that we can utilize the school gymnasium for weekly Mass. -
Parking improvements are included as part of the long-term master plan. Any future updates will focus on safety, traffic flow, accessibility, and accommodating the needs of parishioners and visitors while respecting the surrounding neighborhood.
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If the campaign does not reach its goal or if construction costs increase, the parish will prioritize projects and proceed responsibly based on available funding. Every step will be guided by careful planning, transparency, and stewardship.
If we raise more than anticipated, additional funds will be directed toward other identified parish needs, long-term improvements, or reducing borrowing costs. In all cases, funds will be used to strengthen the parish mission and support the future of St. Patrick Parish.
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Parishioners will be invited to participate during the formal campaign pledge period. More information will be shared in advance through parish communications, including the bulletin, website, and announcements at Mass. We encourage everyone to pray and discern how they may be called to participate.
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Yes. Parishioners will have several ways to give, including one-time gifts and multi-year pledges. Payment options may include online giving, checks, cash, and other convenient methods. Every gift—whether large or modest—is valued, and participation at every level is meaningful.
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Gifts made to St. Patrick Parish are generally tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donors will receive documentation for their contributions. We recommend consulting a tax professional for specific questions related to your personal situation.
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Yes. If your circumstances change, pledge payment schedules can typically be adjusted. We understand that life circumstances vary, and we want this campaign to be accessible to all. Parishioners may contact the parish office for assistance in modifying a pledge plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact us.
Have any questions about the campaign? Fill out the form below.