Dear Parishioners,
May 2013
Please help me build a new rectory for your next pastor! I bet you never heard a request like that before! But it is
true. After a thorough evaluation of our current rectory building, the diocesan architect has determined that it will
be more cost effective to build a modest two-bedroom rectory instead of restoring our five-bedroom rectory.
The current rectory was built in 1974, and used to be located where the altar stands in our current church. But, in
1986, the current rectory was moved to its current location, in order to make room for our current church building.
At one time, three priests lived in the rectory, serving our parish community for several years.
With the reduction of the number of priests, and the relocation of the parish offices into the new parish center, the
current rectory has indeed served it purpose. However, everything from structural issues, electric, plumbing, windows, roofing, and many other issues have compromised the building — not to mention the mold problem.
This newsletter explains our new rectory project and its timeline. I hope that you will generously support this capital campaign, as you have so faithfully donated to your parish for many years. There is a special way in which I
am personally supporting this project, which may or may not surprise you.
When someone receives a gift, they can do with it what they wish. Right? Well, your kind gifts to me at Christmas
and at the celebrations of the sacraments have always been returned to the parish, because that is how I wanted
to give thanks to you for your kindness and generosity. So, here is an unusual but appropriate suggestion for you.
If you were planning on giving me a gift when I finish my term as your pastor in June 2014, nothing would please
me more than to receive your tax-deductible check now, made out to St. Mary Church, for the new rectory fund. If
you write out a check to me when I leave, the church will still get your gift, but you will forgo the tax deduction.
As you remember, I came back to St. Mary’s in order to help build the parish center which Bishop Fitzgerald had
planned. Now, I will complete my twelve-year term as pastor by helping build a rectory for a new pastor whose
name we do not yet know. The timetable for this construction project is outlined in this parish newsletter.
Although my favorite projects have been the Bells of St. Mary’s in 2002, the Cross on top of our church building in
2003, and our silver anniversary Cornerstone in 2012, wouldn’t it be magnificent if our Bishop could bless the new
rectory building when he comes to celebrate our parish’s 150th anniversary in May 2014?
Now that you know what I have pledged toward this 150th anniversary project, won’t you please make your pledge
in the envelope provided in this newsletter? Thank you for considering being part of this historic project.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. James Dvorscak
19624 South 115th Avenue, Mokena
Proposed Construction Timeline
Across the street from Willowview Park, on the west side
of 115th Street, there are two empty lots. One is wooded, the other is not. The cleared one to the south is ours,
and will be the site of the new rectory building. We have
owned this property for several years, originally purchased for additional parking, but now available for a
new rectory residence. The current rectory will be demolished, and at a later date, it can be converted into
additional parking for church. From the front steps of the
new rectory, the new pastor will be able to see the
church and take a short walk to it, or a very short drive.
In the fall of 2013, we hope to start construction on the
new rectory if enough pledges have been made for this
project. During the winter of 2013-2014, interior work is
scheduled to continue on the building. In the spring of
2014, landscaping and other work would be completed,
such as putting in a driveway. Then, as soon as the new
pastor is appointed, he will be consulted regarding the
interior furnishings for the rectory, although much of the
current rectory furniture will be moved into it. With your
generous support of this project, the new priest will be
able to move into his new rectory in June 2014.
Projected cost for the new Rectory
Please make your pledge today!
Instead of investing in an older building that is too big, we
can build a new and efficient building that is just the right
size for our current housing needs. As our parish financial report indicates, we have significant parish savings,
but we also have pending projects for the church parking
lot, and a new roof for the school, to name a few. We
can begin this capital project right now, but we cannot
finish it, and continue to meet our financial obligations
without your generous support. The total cost of this project, including the furnishings of the new rectory and the
removal of the old one, will be about $300,000.
This is a capital campaign, not just a second collection.
Major contributions are needed to fund this essential project that contributes to pride in our parish community, as
much as it provides a dwelling place for future pastors of
our church. We can start this project right away, but we
cannot complete it without your generous support at this
time. Please fill out the pledge card today, and return it
by mail or through the offertory collection. You can pay
your pledge either through online giving, or by using the
red envelope that is already part of your offertory envelope packet each month.
A Pictorial Directory Book
for the 150th Anniversary
of our Parish Community
1864 - 2014
Pictorial Directory: Family and individual portraits begin in June and July 2013 for
our anniversary picture book. Portraits continue in October 2013. All parishioners
on our mailing list will be receiving special invitations to participate in this historic anniversary project. Please consider becoming part of this keepsake edition.
Anniversary Mass: Bishop R. Daniel Conlon of Joliet will celebrate the 150th Anniversary Mass for our parish community on Sunday, May 18, 2014, at 11:00 a.m., followed by the Anniversary Banquet at DiNolfo’s in Mokena. Invitations will be coming
out in the spring of 2014. Let us give thanks to God for his goodness to our parish!
Saint Mary Church: 1864 - 1956 - 1987
Living and Growing in God’s Love since 1864!
St. Mary Parish, Mokena
150th Anniversary Project:
Capital Fundraising Campaign
for a new Rectory House
Here is my pledge for our new rectory house, to celebrate our 150th Anniversary:
□ $______ □ $300 □ $600 □ $1,200 □ $2,400 □ $______
I will fulfill my pledge through the monthly red envelopes, or through online giving.
Name: ___________________________________ Phone: ___________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________
Email: ______________________________________________________________
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Here are Some Contribution Suggestions for the Rectory Fund

$10 in twelve monthly donations amounts to a gift of $120

$25 in twelve monthly donations amounts to a gift of $300

$50 in twelve monthly donations amounts to a gift of $600

$100 in twelve monthly donations amounts to a gift of $1,200

$200 in twelve monthly donations amounts to a gift of $2,400

$500 in twelve monthly donations amounts to a gift of $6,000

$1,000 in twelve monthly donations amounts to a gift of $12,000
Thank you for being part of this historic project to celebrate our parish anniversary!
Our new rectory is being built for the next pastor of our parish.
Here is a light-hearted reflection on the qualities of a new pastor.

The results of a computerized survey indicate the perfect priest preaches exactly ten minutes.

He condemns sins, but never upsets anyone.

He works from 8:00 a.m. until midnight, and is also the parish janitor.

He makes $50 a week, wears good clothes, buys good books, drives a good car,
and gives about $50 weekly to the poor.

He is twenty-eight years old and has been preaching for thirty years.

He has a burning desire to work with teenagers,
and also spends all of his time with senior citizens.

The perfect priest smiles all the time with a straight face, because he has a sense of humor
that keeps him seriously dedicated to his work.

He makes fifteen calls daily on parish families, shut-ins, and the hospitalized,
and is always in his office when needed.

If your priest does not measure up to these standards,
simply send this letter to six other churches that are tired of their priest.

Then bundle up your priest, and send him to the church on the top of the list.

In one week, you will receive 1,643 priests and one of them will be just perfect for you.
Have faith in this procedure! One parish broke the chain
and got its old priest back in less than three weeks!