October 3, 2026

Campaign Launch Homily

Fr. Jim Lucas

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St. John the Baptist parish boundaries are the Village of Howard, and with a estimated current population of 22,729 people is expected to grow to 30,000 by the year 2040. This growth led to the building of a new 1,000-person capacity church in 2007. Due to limited funds at the time, a new 250-person capacity Parish Center and a new Parish Office did not and has not yet materialized. It has been almost 20 years, and this need remains and is becoming ever more pressing as our current parish office deteriorates and ministry needs grow. Space limitations and the current quality of office space are leading to significant ministry limitations. Our community, ministry, and evangelization potential is being stunted.

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A plan to address this need was part of the one by One Campaign. St John’s did a combined campaign with a $7 million aspirational goal in 2021. That feasibility study suggested that $4 million was more realistic. We made a very good faith effort and raised $4.3 million in cash and pledges. With this money we were able to upgrade the School and Ministry Center HVAC systems for a cost of about $1 million and also renovate our school office and added a classroom for about $400,000. Unfortunately, the cost of construction went up drastically after COVID which did not allow us to hit the key markers for adding the parish center and parish office buildings. So, in the interim time we went through two more iterations of planning with architectural and construction firms and that cost us approximately $100,000. one by One pledge fulfillment has been good (94%) and we currently have approximately $2.7 million in our account.

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In the fall of 2025 and winter of 2026, we worked with McMahon Architects and Engineers on our current construction design and proposal. It involves connecting a Parish Center on the West side of the new church and a Parish Office on the East side of the new church. These two buildings (rather than one two story building) better separate the functions of each and enhance the architecture of the current church. Also included with these projects would be a major parking lot and playground renovation. One of the very significant challenges of St. John’s are the soil conditions and high water table. This was made clear through the civil engineering study of the property. With that in mind there will be no basement in either building in order to eliminate water issues. The parish staff was instrumental in coming up with the new Parish Office design that meets all current and some hopeful future needs.

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The new design was tested by a feasibility study through Walsh and Associates in the Spring of 2026. 294 responses suggested a high level of satisfaction with St John’s (98%) and a high level of knowledge about the projects (96%) and a high level of support for a capital campaign (96%). This would represent a strong core group of support. Regarding the projects, 93% were in favor of the Parish Center and 86% were in favor of the Parish Office. Two other “Heritage projects” were considered were of lesser importance. A Bell Tower addition received 43% approval and remodeling the Heritage Church Ministry Center received 40% approval. These last two projects have been removed from consideration with this campaign. However, the Bell Tower will be approached through a memorial strategy and has good support, and the Heritage Church will continue to be maintained while it is currently being used for school, parish, and other community purposes.

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The feasibility study suggested a 3 year $5 million professionally run campaign begin immediately (July 2026). Through internal discussion, St. John’s would like to approach this campaign without hiring a professional firm thus saving between $70,000 - 130,000. This will be my (Fr. Jim Lucas) fourth major campaign as a priest so I feel I have a handle on what is required and what works, and with the staff and talented dedicated lay leaders in our parish, I am convinced we can do this ourselves with the support of the parish community at large and with great success in the end. We would hope to begin this campaign in October and conclude by the end of the year 2026.

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Our campaign focus will be on the two buildings, parking lot, and playground renovation. If the two buildings are built at the same time there is an anticipated $150,000 savings. A cost summary follows:

• 2 Buildings – 16,038 square ft. total ($324/square ft.) = $5,197,780

• Sitework (includes electrical upgrade, asphalt, concrete, landscaping, restoration, and soil remediation) = $2,096,710

• Contingency for construction (10%) = $729,449

• Owner project costs (includes playground equipment) = $574,370

• Total = $8,598,309

• one by One account credit approximately = $2,700,000

• Remaining to be funded by campaign = $5,898,309

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The numbers presented are Opinion of Probable Cost (OPC) and not construction bids. We are hoping to remove costs from the project and reduce contingency in a practical way. A successful campaign achieving a $5 million goal would go a long way to accomplishing these projects. A loan might be necessary to complete construction.

 

Final thoughts – In 2028, St. John’s will be celebrating our 175th anniversary as a parish. The excitement about this is palpable. I really sense that the Holy Spirit is at work in what we are doing and that the timing is right for this. People are coming forward and saying Yes to being involved in the four aspects of our campaign – as Campaign leaders, Value engineers, Prayer builders, and administrative support. Now feels like the right time to proceed. I/we appreciate your support and prayers. Thank you for your time.

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This case was presented to Bishop Ricken and his College of Consultors and Diocesan Finance Council on August 27, 2026.

During this time Bishop and the College of Consultors had some questions about the project regarding handicap accessibility and the parish center kitchen. Josh Diedrich of the Catholic Foundation had confidence in our ability to carry out this campaign and that he felt the goal was reachable. The College of Consultors recommended that St. John’s carry out a 3 year $5 million campaign to the Bishop. After prayerful deliberation, on September 3 Bishop gave his permission for St. John’s to embark upon this campaign. St. John’s can now officially proceed with this campaign with our Bishop’s blessing, prayers, and confidence.

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Building on the foundation of the one by One campaign, and with the blessing of our Bishop, St. John’s now begins a new effort to fulfill the vision for our time: The Jesus Connecting Generations Campaign - Fully alive for 175! This 3-year, $5 million parish-facilitated campaign will be successful if each parish family prayerfully makes a sacrificial and generous pledge to it.

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This campaign, beginning today, will be powered by prayer. A campaign prayer has been written and will be prayed at the conclusion of this homily. Thereafter, this prayer will begin our masses from October through December. Intentions will be added to the Prayers of the Faithful. Additionally, a campaign song has been chosen, We Belong to You. This song will be sung at every mass from October through December. Remember, when you sing you pray twice. Lastly, beginning today, we will launch this campaign with Hallow Parish Week. If you are currently a member of Hallow, please join in the parish week challenge. If you are not currently a member, please consider downloading the app and joining in. Please keep St John’s and this campaign in your personal prayers. Please consider making a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion with a successful campaign as your intention. Thank you for all the ways that you will pray for this during the next three months.

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This will primarily be a letter campaign. In mid October, every parish family will receive an ask letter, campaign brochure, prayer card, pledge card, and return envelope mailed to your home. With all print costs donated, postage will be the only expense connected to this campaign, which is amazing. With this Hallow prayer week there is also a $5000 giving challenge. Monies raised this week will go towards covering postage, which will mean that 100% of your campaign pledge will go towards our parish projects, which is also amazing!​ I think that is all for now. More will be revealed as the weeks and months go by. My friends, as we prepare to celebrate 175 years as a parish, now is our time. May God who has begun the good work in us, bring it to completion.​