Dear Gesu Parishioners and Friends,
It is a blessed time of year, and I hope you are sharing the tranquility of this sacred season with your family and friends. I’d like to take this opportunity to share some exciting news with the community and express my gratitude for all you do to support Gesu Catholic Church and School. Your commitment and faith exemplify our mission – Eucharistic Living, Lifelong Learning and Generous Serving.
The following information below shares Gesu’s hope and vision for the future and includes our strategic plan and campaign focus. To learn more about this exciting endeavor, I invite you to attend one of the following Information Sessions:
Sunday, January 8, following the 11:30 am Mass, in McAuley Hall
Saturday, January 21, following the 4:30 pm Mass, in McAuley Hall
In 2019, the parish began a process to create a strategic plan that would look to Gesu's 100-year anniversary and serve as a roadmap for the years ahead. The process took a bit longer than originally expected due to many factors, including COVID and a change of pastors. Yet, as with many things, God used the opportunity to help formatulate, supplement and reinvigorate the plan. So, included in the following pages is our strategic plan that guides our future – Gesu Our Home and Gesu on Mission.
As a result of our plan, Gesu determined we must ensure that we have the financial resources to accomplish Gesu Our Home and on Mission. After in-depth planning and research, the need for a capital and endowment campaign has become apparent. The information below also shares an update on the campaign planning process and the primary fundraising components.
It is surely an exciting time for Gesu. This endeavor has been long in coming, and in order to accomplish it, it will take all of us uniting together, presuming the good, and dreaming for a brighter future. I have great confidence in our amazing community and look forward to what lies ahead of us as one proud Gesu family.
My sincere blessings to you and your family,
Fr. Lukas M. Laniauskas, SJ
Pastor
During the last several months, Gesu has conducted a feasibility study in preparation for a potential capital and endowment campaign. Individual meetings, a parish survey and informational sessions were held with parishioners, parents, alumni, faculty and friends to hear their thoughts regarding the future of Gesu Parish and School and the potential for philanthropic support. The positive response allowed us to continue the campaign planning process. The outline below provides a preliminary overview of our vision and describes some of the capital and endowment needs currently under consideration which would help achieve this vision.
A Preliminary Outline of Our Capital & Endowment Needs
Infrastructure improvements and aesthetic preservation to the Church and School
• Including - HVAC, painting, lighting, refurbishing the pews, school restrooms, McAuley Hall, etc.
• Approximately $5,000,000
Growth of the Endowment
• Including - financial assistance for students, faculty wages, faith formation programing, outreach resources and general operations
• Approximately $5,000,000
Outdoor campus enhancements
• Including new educational and play spaces and worship area with fresh landscape and outdoor seating
• Approximately $2,000,000
Expansion of Gesu Campus to provide athletic field(s)
• An exploratory committee has been formed to research possible athletic field space and the costs involved (purchase, maintenance, insurance, etc.)
For almost 100 years, the families of Gesu Parish have rallied to support the future of the parish, contributing their time, talent and treasure to assure a legacy of spiritual and educational excellence for coming generations. We wish to continue this legacy. Let’s work together to keep Gesu Church and School strong for the next 100 years.
