Why Build a New Church?

Capital Campaign for St. Stephen Catholic Church

Q.    What is Building Our Future Together?  
A:    Building Our Future Together is the name of the campaign being conducted in our parish for our new Church Building, St. Stephen Center, and additional parking lots for the parish.  

Q:    Why do we still need a capital campaign?
A:    With God’s blessings we have always come together as a parish family to address our current needs – but we have also not been afraid to look to our future.  The new Church Building and St. Stephen Center will not only provide for the future growth of our parish, but will provide for our community today.

Q:    Why do we need a New Church Building?
A:    The parish has simply outgrown our existing facilities.  We desperately need more space to conduct necessary parish activities, and most masses are over crowded.  Our ministries conduct more than 5,000 meetings annually and we do not have additional growth capacity.

Q:     Who will use the proposed St. Stephen Center?
A:    The St. Stephen Center is designed to meet the diverse needs of St. Stephen Catholic Church, St. Stephen Catholic School and the Valrico Catholic community.  The Center provides meeting rooms, a large room for dinners and receptions, a full kitchen, several classrooms, extensive technological capabilities for adult religious and secular classes, a greatly expanded youth activity center and expansion room for new ministries.  We look forward to also expanding our Senior and Adult programs which will be able to hold their meetings in the new St. Stephen Center.

Q:    Now that the pledge phase of the Capital Campaign is over, what's next?
A:    The active phase of the campaign ran from February through May, 2011.  We are currently in the phase of fulfilling our pledges and receiving new gifts from newly registered parishioners, or from those who can now join our campaign.  Although we have pledged over $6 miillion, we still want to have 100% participation.

Q:    Who will be asked to support this campaign?
A:    In the building of our church and parish center, every family is important!  Every parishioner should expect to have "ownership" of our growth and beautiful new place to worship, grow in our Faith, and provide corporal works of mercy.  

Q:    Why am I asked to make a pledge?
A:    Pledges allow parishioners an opportunity to prayerfully consider making a sacrificial gift that they may not ordinarily be able to regard as feasible.  

Q:    How can I pay my pledge?
A:    Cash, check, electronic debits, credit or debit card or online giving are all options.  You can also offer stock or marketable securities.  If you have additional questions on how you can give, please contact the Parish Office.  

Q:   Where do I find help with my electronic deduction or credit card contribution?  

A:   For issues with credit card deductions, contact Marie Bornstad, 727-344-1611, mcd@dosp.org.

       For issues with automatic payments or automatic withdrawals, contact Kathy King, 727-344-1611,  kck@dosp.org.

Q:    Why am I being asked to make a down payment?
A:   By making a down payment we are able to ensure we have cash flow as bills come due.  If you are able we sincerely appreciate a payment of 10% of your pledge.  Payments can be made to St. Stephen Capital Campaign – Building Our Future Together.

Q:    Is this pledge legally binding?
A:    No, a pledge to the campaign is a faith expression of your willingness to support this important building project.  Construction projects and timelines are based on pledges received from all parishioners, but they are not a legal contract.  If you need to make provisions to change your pledge, please contact Father Swengros or the Church Office.  

Q:    Why emphasize personal visits?
A:    Home visits emphasize the personal nature of giving, allow for a thorough presentation of the campaign case, give potential donors the opportunity to ask their own questions and allow visitors to express their enthusiasm.  In addition, personal visits place a greater emphasis on stewardship, allowing the volunteer to share his/her own faith experience and participation.     

Q:    Do I still need to continue my weekly offertory contributions?
A:    The needs and operations of the church will continue and will need to continue to be funded.  The new Church Building, Parish Life Center and additional parking lots will enhance these operations and will also increase costs to provide for the operation of the additional space.  We’ll need to continue to fund general parish needs through the weekly offertory contributions we presently receive.


Have additional questions? Please contact the Church Office to make an appointment.
St. Stephen Catholic Church
5049 Bell Shoals Rd., Valrico, FL 33596
Tel. 813-689-4900;  813-689-7492 fax;  www.ststephencatholic.org

You may also contact Committee Chairperson Rick Hughes: BOFT@StStephenCatholic.org.  Thank you for helping to BUILD OUR FUTURE TOGETHER!