Many thanks to our generous and loyal parishioners who are steadily making their pledges toward the Archdiocese's A Future Full of Hope campaign. As you know, many of the pledges for this 2002 capital fund drive were made over a five-year period of time. We recently received our parish rebate checks for the second quarter of 2005. I wanted to give you an update on the campaign.

At Immaculate Conception Parish, we were given a goal of raising $123,151.00. As of June 30, 2005, our parishioners have donated a total of $127,381.78 in pledges, out of a total of $173,864.00 pledged. As of this quarter, we have now met and exceeded our goal! To date, 17% of all pledge money up to our goal has been returned as a rebate to the parish each quarter. Now that the goal is met, we are now receiving 50% of all payments you make. As of June 30, 2005, $21,819.55 has been returned to the parish, $2,212.43 this past week. These funds have been designated for the Miege Hall improvements, which we have completed, and the future lighting project for the church at Immaculate Conception.

At St. Joseph Parish, we were given a goal of raising $183,127.00. As of June 30, 2005, our parishioners have donated a total of $236,094.19 in pledges, out of a total of $298,135.00 pledged. Having met our goal some time ago, we are now receiving 50% of all payments you make. As of June 30, 2005, $55,783.92 has been returned to the parish, $3,353.66 received this past week. These funds have been designated to help defray the cost of our parking lot improvement project at St. Joseph.

Thanks to your steadfast payment of pledges, both Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph have received a combined total of $77,603.47. If all parishioners make good on their outstanding pledges over the next two years ($46,48.22 at Immaculate Conception, and $62,040.81 at St. Joseph) we will receive an additional $54,261.51 ($23,241.11 to Immaculate Conception and $31,020.40 to St. Joseph). Your cooperation in this final stage of the campaign will help our parishes greatly!

This coming Tuesday, August 2, our Parish Office will be closed. Once a year, during the summer, the Parish Staff takes a day away to review our projects over the past year and make plans for the upcoming school year.

Mark your calendars for our annual St. Joseph Parish Bazaar, scheduled for Sunday, September 18, 2005. Many thanks for your contributions of $1,802.33 in last Sunday's second collection to help defray the cost of the roast beef for our Bazaar Dinner. We will be having a planning meeting for the Bazaar this Tuesday, August 2, at 7:00p.m. in Kinzler Hall. Feel free to join us!

God bless you always!