Building Our Future Together:
The St. Jude Catholic Church Capital Campaign
Make a lasting impact by joining us in building a glorious house for God that will be a radiant beacon for our parish and the Sapphire community for decades to come.
“I do not lend. I give. Hasn’t the good God been the first to give to me?”
St. John Vianney
Invest in the future of St. Jude.
Not only will be addressing our current parish needs, but we’ll be building a church for the next 100 years.
God has already been generous to us, and this is the same generosity we want to pass on as our legacy.
What more meaningful gift could we give to God than the gift of His children in relationship with Him?
We want to build a church:
- that will inspire future generations to love their Catholic faith.
- that attracts young couples preparing for marriage.
- where people want to baptize their children and raise their families.
- where young people are moved by beauty and the Holy Spirit at the time of their confirmation.
- where sinners find light when life seems darkest.
- that shows the world that despite decades of scandal, the Church is and will remain as the spotless Bride of Christ until His coming.
- that honors His Mother and our Patroness.
- above all, where all these things glorify God.
God, what do you want to do through me for St. Jude’s right now?
Our beloved parish needs a new church building so she can shine as a beacon of faith in Sapphire for decades to come. You can pioneer this effort.
Stir hearts to prayer through their encounter with beauty
Respond gratefully to the Lord’s generosity
Provide a bright light of hope in a weary world
Leave your legacy: provide a beautiful home for future generations of Catholics in the Western Carolina mountains.
We understand your desire to glorify God by the mark you leave on the world around you. Today is the perfect time to do both by investing in the souls of future generations of Catholics.
- By 2030, Sapphire and the surrounding area is expected to grow by 10-13%.
- Our parish sees an average of 125 parishioners during winter Masses and over 400 during the summer.
- Parish buildings are 50+ years old and need to be updated. Our rapidly growing parish family will soon need larger facilities, too!
St. Jude Catholic Church urgently needs your help to be able to keep sharing the light of faith in Sapphire.
3 Simple Steps to Leave Your Legacy
1. Determine how you want to give
You can give via…
- cash or check
- long-term pledge
- a non-taxable Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA
- a gift of stock, bonds, or mutual funds or a matching gift from your employer, which effectively doubles your gift.
2. Decide how frequently you can give
If you can give only once, great! In some cases, you might be able to give on a recurring basis: monthly, quarterly, or annually.
3. Give!
Contact the parish to give via credit card, ETF, or for help giving in other ways–such as via brokerage account or real estate.
Get Started
Join us in prayer
St. Jude, Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ and our patron, we ask for your intercession and guidance amid the work of our capital campaign. As you were commissioned to build up the Church upon the cornerstone of Christ and the foundation of the Apostles, of which you were numbered, assist us in building up our community as we address our capital needs. O St. Jude, whose intercession and heavenly patronage is so widely embraced and trusted in, pray that we receive the strength and grace of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit you received on Pentecost, to bring this great work to completion for the glory of the Father and the salvation of souls.
St. Jude, pray for us!
Frequently Asked Questions
How was it determined that a new church is needed?
A committee determined that the current facilities were hindering the church’s growth and community, so they decided a new church would solve these issues.
What are our current facility challenges?
The current building is outdated and has several issues like poor layout, insufficient restrooms, and high maintenance costs.
Why now? Is this the best time for a capital campaign?
The need is urgent, finances are stable, and both the congregation and diocese are supportive.
How do we know our parishioners support building a new church?
A study by a hired company showed that the majority of the parish is supportive of fundraising for a new church.
Will the new church seat more than the current capacity of about 210?
Yes, the new church will seat up to approximately 300 people.
Where will we hold Mass and other parish activities during construction?
The plan is to use the current church during construction.
What will happen to our current church when the new one is completed?
The old church will be repurposed to meet our needs for offices, gathering spaces, etc… until a possible Phase 2 commences to address long-term needs.
What is the projected cost of building the new church?
The aim is to raise up to $10 million for a well-designed new church.
Can our small congregation afford it?
Yes, the feasibility study suggests that the congregation can financially support the project.
What is the timeline for the campaign?
The campaign started in Spring 2022 and will continue into the Fall of 2023, with pledges accepted for several months after.
What is the timeframe for pledges to the campaign to be fulfilled?
Pledges are expected to be fulfilled within three years.
What happens if we do not raise all we need?
Options will be considered and further recommendations will be made to the parish.
Will the church’s Baroque design fit in with the character of Highlands?
Yes, the Baroque design is expected to complement and enhance the local aesthetic.
How likely is it that Father Barone will remain at Our Lady of the Mountains until the new church is completed?
While not guaranteed, it is likely that Father Barone will stay through the completion of the new church.
What is the timeline for building the new church? How long will the construction take?
Construction may start in late 2023 and aims to be completed in 2024.