THE ST. GABRIEL CAMPAIGN FOR INNOVATIVE LEARNING AND FELLOWSHIP
Since 1934, St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish has been a cornerstone of the St. Louis Hills, Southampton and Lindenwood neighborhoods of Southwest St. Louis City. The Parish is also one of the strongest in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, with more than 1,500 families and nearly 40 Parish organizations supporting the Parish and the community at large. Every spring, 50 to 65 students graduate from our School, which is one of the largest and strongest schools in the Archdiocese, wonderfully prepared to enter some of the finest high schools in the area. Since the School's inception in 1934, more than 45,000 children have done exactly that. That's a record matched by few, if any, elementary schools.
St. Gabriel is a beacon of exemplary Catholic education and community in the Archdiocese of St. Louis and an anchor of excellence in Southwest St. Louis.
Dynamically Changing Environments
With that leadership and demonstrated success comes responsibility to invest in the future. Nationwide, the finest middle schools are dramaticlly rethinking how they teach - emphasizing a powerful, proven and holistic model that combines direct instruction with hands-on, project-based exploration; practical problem solving; collaboration; and experiential Catholic formation. This exciting vision calls for the rebuilding of our Gabriel House to create innovative and highly flexible spaces to prepare students for 21st century problem solving. Separately, St. Gabriel parishioners have urgently called for the addition of a Church space to welcome our parishioners for Christian fellowship and provide critical space for our growing lay ministries.
These dual needs call St. Gabriel to embark on a major initiative to reinforce our Parish, our School, our neighborhood and our community ... to be the kind of Catholic community we are known for, and we want to continue to be.
It is Time to Build Boldly.
HAVE YOUR PLEDGE DOUBLED!
Challenge/Match Program
Help the capital campaign meet its $5.5M goal! With less than $250,000 needed to reach our goal, a group of generous parishioners has offered a Challenge/Match to help us not only meet, but exceed, our goal. For every additional $1 pledged to the campaign, this group will match it dollar for dollar up to $150,000 – effectively doubling your giving!
This challenge is open to all parishioners – both those who have previously donated and those who have yet to make a pledge. If you have previously donated, the amount of any increase in your pledge will be matched. If you have not yet donated, your entire pledge will be doubled.
The terms of your pledge can be flexible. If you want to donate via cash now and help us save interest costs on our loan, that’s great! If you prefer paying over 3 or 5 years, that’s fine, too. Either way, your pledge will help get us over the top!
Here’s how it works:
1) If you are a new donor, you may pay by check or sign up for online payments through the parish website. To pay by check, please complete and return your pledge card to the rectory or Sunday offertory with a note for “Challenge/Match.” If you do not have a pledge card, you can download one at stgabrielstl.org/campaign. If paying online, please include “Challenge/Match” in the Notes entry field.
2) If you are an existing donor wishing to increase your pledge, you may do so with a one-time check or by updating your current payment plan. If paying by one-time check, please drop off your check at the rectory or give to the offertory with a note “Additional Donation for Challenge/Match”. If you would prefer to pay via check over a period of time, please send an email to campaign@stgabrielstl.org with the revised terms of your pledge. If you are already making online payments, please update your pledge in Faith Direct and include “Challenge/Match” in the Notes entry field.
There is no minimum pledge required, but pledge matching is limited to the first $150,000 in NEW donations. New pledges can be made towards Memorials – flex/classrooms, portraits, pavers, etc.
Thank you so much for your generous support and helping us make the Building Bright Futures Campaign a reality!
CAMPAIGN VIDEO
THE CALL
Fr. Molini's letter to St. Gabriel Parishioners...
Our Parish and School depend upon support from parishioners like you to achieve the level of success for which we are proud. And over the years, every time there has been a vital need - from the building of the original Parish and School in 1934, the current Church in 1950, the gymnasium and stage/theater in 1960, and the school addition in 2001 - the Parish has answered. We are now planning the next phase in our School's and Parish's history and need your help.
To create the new Center of Innovative Learning for the School, and the Welcome Center for the Parish, we intend to raise $5.5 million over the next 5 years, in an effort led and managed entirely by fellow parishioners. With your support, our School and Parish can grow into the next phase of our history and meet the needs of the students, the Parish, the neighborhood and our community for decades to come.
The needs are clear. Join us as we build brighter futures. Together we build boldly.
The campaign for the Center for Innovative Learning and the Welcome Center enjoys the strong support of Fr. Molini, our Parish Council, Finance Council, School Board, and Principal.
PLEDGE INFORMATION
To make a pledge to the Building Bright Futures Campaign: please complete the pledge card in your packet and return it in the pre-addressed, postage paid envelope either by mail, by dropping it off at the rectory, or by placing it the offertory basket during Mass. You can also Download a Printable Pledge Card HERE.
If you wish to have your donation auto-deducted from your bank account, please click the link below. You will be taken to our parish partner, Faith Direct. Sign-up is easy if you’re new to Faith Direct. If you currently have an account with Faith Direct, it is required that you sign in to your account before completing the pledge form. Parish and school families who have previously made an online donation to the parish or school should have an active Faith Direct account.
Please click HERE for the Faith Direct Campaign Pledge Page.
Or Scan the QR Code:
Matching Gift Opportunities: Employers can play a significant role in the success of the Building Bright Futures Campaign. Check with your employer for matching gift opportunities. If additional information is required, please reach out to Judy Murphy.
CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
Meet the Members of the Campaign Committee:
Fr. Thomas Molini, Pastor
Bill Burnes, General Chairperson, Marketing
Michael Heithaus, Co-Chair, Key Gifts
Patrick McGinnis, Key Gifts
Kevin Kozminske, Key Gifts
Jean Gruetzemacher, Campaign Strategy
Judy Murphy, Finance
Lee Hahnel, Buildings, Estimating
Marc Adrian, Architecture
Tonya McEnery, Principal/Ex-Officio
Monica Shripka, Marketing-Digital
James Backes, Neighborhood Outreach
Shawn McLain, School Board Liaison
Jenn Schmitt, School Children Program
Sarah Henderson, Special Events Manager
Matt Sallaberry, Follow Up Manager
Cal Kennedy, Alumni Program
Frank Delonjay, Alumni Program
Quick Links to Capital Campaign Pages and Information