The task that falls to us in our time and in this place is to build a church and return the current church to its original purpose. Let us take it up with joy and determination, as a privilege of which we are unworthy, and as a means of giving glory to God who has given so much to us. What, after all, can we ever do, what sacrifice can we ever make, which would balance the love of God for us or repay His blessings to us? Let us give thanks for this opportunity "to provide a house for the Lord."

Our parish has developed plans for the construction of a new worship space. In addition, the current Church will be converted into a multipurpose hall. The total development plan, therefore, is projected to be $5.1 million.

• Located on the corner of 80th Avenue and 258th Street.
• Anticipated size of 10,000 square feet.
• Capacity will be 600 to 650 which nearly doubles the 350 available seats in the current Church.
• The architecture of the Church will be complementary to the other buildings on our campus.
• The designs allow for a basement, which will give us room to improve/expand our parish ministries.
• We will have to raze the Chapel in order to provide for a new worship space.

Highlights of the multipurpose hall:

• We will convert the existing Church into a multipurpose hall.
• A basketball court will be provided.
• The multipurpose hall can also be used for a variety of parish/social activities including a physical education program.
• Additionally, landscaping and the existing parking lot will be improved.

Raising these funds will be a challenge to all parishioners. The objective of the campaign is to ensure that every family within the parish is asked to support the program in a meaningful and sacrificial way. Personal visits to the homes of each parishioner are critical to the success of the parish effort. Families will be asked to make a specific pledge to the campaign payable over a three to five year period.

Our Campaign

A capital campaign has been designed to raise the resources to fund this project. Our plan is to publicly announce the campaign in April after we have had the opportunity to seek personally the support of our most generous and committed parish leaders. You have always been very supportive in all our previous endeavors, and we thank you for what you have already done.

The goal for this campaign is still to be determined. Our minimum need, however, is $5,100,000. A public goal will be announced after the receipt of these leadership commitments.

There is not a day that goes by that we do not reflect upon our proud tradition. Our Lady of the Snows Church must also prepare for the challenges of the future. In that spirit, after consultation with parish leaders, diocesan officials, financial experts, fund raising consultants, and with faith in Our Lord, we are inaugurating the campaign for our new church.

This is not only an extraordinary challenge, but also a special opportunity. We need the kind of generosity and spirit that filled the hearts of the men and women who built our parish and gave us the facilities and programs we have today. We need you, our parishioners and friends.

Pledges to the campaign can be paid over the next three to five years through convenient monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual payments. Please keep in mind that a pledge is a goodwill intention and not a legally binding contract. The success of our efforts depends on your generosity in pledging an amount over an above your regular support of the parish.

This campaign will benefit all of us. It will enhance our ministries and organizations and thereby prepare Our Lady of the Snows for the challenges of the 21st century.

In the spirit of the good steward, please consider a gift plan representing your sacrifice in appreciation for all the ways God has blessed your family.

Gift Options

Cash Gifts: This is most common method of completing a financial pledge. Your gift to The Roman Catholic Parish of Our Lady of the Snows is tax deductible and may be paid over three to five years.

Gifts of Securities: A gift of appreciated securities is one way to make a significant contribution at a reduced cost to you. Federal tax laws allow a charitable deduction for the full market value of securities on the date of your gift.

Gifts of Real Property: Real property can be given as an outright gift or by bequest.

Life Insurance: There are a number of ways to make a gift of life insurance:

• Absolute Assignment: You may wish to transfer ownership of a policy that has outlived its original purpose to the parish.
• Co-Beneficiary: You may name the parish as co-beneficiary of part of the proceeds of a new or existing policy.
• Contingent Beneficiary: As a contingent beneficiary, the parish would benefit if no primary beneficiary were to survive you.

(Please consult with your tax advisor on the tax treatment of all gifts as they may vary from individual to individual.)

Gift Annuity Agreements: Allow you to make a gift to the parish and receive fixed annual payments for life. You are allowed a tax deduction for a portion of the amount transferred and for a period of years only part of the payments will be taxed as income. The size of payments is based on the age(s) of the recipient(s) at the time of the gift.

Charitable Remainder Annuity Trusts and Unitrusts: Enable you to make a significant gift to the parish during your lifetime and continue to receive income for yourself and/or other beneficiaries. After the life interests have passed, the remaining principal will pass to the parish. In addition to income tax deductions in the year the trust is instituted (with five-year carry-over privileges), donors may avoid capital gains and significantly reduce estate and gift taxes.

Charitable Lead Trusts: Enable the parish to receive interest income for a specified period of time from a principal amount you retain at the end of the trust term.

Bequests: Are simply a provision in your will to leave a gift to The Roman Catholic Parish of Our Lady of the Snows. Charitable bequests are fully deductible from your estate and can significantly reduce your estate taxes on the balance of your estate. Your bequests may be specified as a gift of cash or securities, real estate, or other property. Alternatively, it may take the form of a percentage of your total estate. You may also consider a residuary bequest, which is a gift of all or a portion of your estate after other conditions are met.  -continued on OLSnows page 2