Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 26, 2026

We began our capital campaign about a year and a half ago. The result has been amazing, beyond my expectations.

Here is an update as of July 14:

Ordinary donations: $438,690
Large donations: $725,000
Historic Preservation Fund: $50,000
All cash received: $1,213,690

It is true that the campaign was supported in huge measure by Holy Redeemer parishioners, one of whom donated $500,000. But we have been blessed with scores of donors, some making large and others making small gifts. Every donation is a blessing and a sign of love and faith.

You recall that we have three problems to solve: our electrical transformer is way beyond its expected useful life and the same is true of our air conditioning. These must be repaired or Saint John's cannot continue. This is particularly true of our electrical transformer. Saint John's must have electricity. While we can theoretically survive without air conditioning, in the 21st century this is not reasonable.

The third need is not per se essential for survival. The patio/deck which covers the major mechanical systems is deteriorating and should be replaced.

If you look at the original capital campaign documents from which we launched our campaign, the original estimate of our project was $1.2 Million. We have reached our initial goal! However, every time our architects and engineers have made cost estimates, this amount has increased so that now the best estimates are more than $2.2 Million.

We can't afford this! If we use all of our savings and our historic preservation fund and the estate that we expect will bring in more than $250,000, we likely cannot afford the entire project. And it would be unwise to drain our church of all of its savings and assets.

In conversation with our architect and engineering team, I have concluded that we cannot repair the deck/patio. We must replace our electrical transformer and air conditioning and I believe that we have raised enough money for the work that must be done for survival. We can do some things to shore up the deck/patio and avoid using it for parties and gathering as we have done in the recent past. We can make it safer, but not use it for parties and events.

In the relatively near future, we will need to talk about our church roof and its long term survival. The roof is more important than the deck/patio. We must set priorities and electricity and air conditioning are priorities. I am not saying that the roof needs immediate attention, but we cannot survive without a strong roof. We can survive without the deck being in use.

I ask that you continue to be generous to Saint John's. Our church and its ministry is worth supporting. I assure you that we are frugal, that we do not waste money. We are committed to keeping our church alive and beautiful. Staying open and staying beautiful—non-negotiable. After that, we have to set priorities based on our limited resources.

Please continue to be generous to Saint John's, both our capital campaign and our general account. I will keep you posted once I have more specific information about the reconsideration of our capital project. We will do the capital project and we need the money we raised and more. We need to begin the capital project soon, hopefully this Fall.

Preparing for adult baptism or confirmation

At Saint John's and Holy Redeemer, we had 28 adult baptisms and confirmations at the 2026 Easter Vigils. That was an amazing harvest for Christ and the Church!

In September, we will begin a new class for people who wish to be baptized or confirmed. Our program is called OCIA (formerly RCIA). The OCIA is for anyone who wishes to join the Catholic Church and also for adult Catholics who wish to be confirmed. Catholics who would like to learn more about the Catholic faith are also welcome. Our program consists of a weekly zoom class with in person meetings for those preparing for the sacraments.

If you are interested in joining our classes or if you want more information, email Father Tom:

stjohnsphilly.org