St. Catherine of Siena Parish

Colleen:

The reason we give: It comes down to family and choices.

Our family has been part of this parish for over 20 years. When we moved to Ithaca in 1980, we were members of the Newman center at Ithaca College, where Bill worked. We loved the community but as children came we knew we wanted them to be part of religious education and engaged in their faith journey with children their own age. So we chose St. Catherine's and enrolled the children in religious ed, small faith communities and sacramental preparation Classes.

We were a young active family, both working as we raised our 3 children. And of course they were also all involved in many activities as well. To say the least we were busy, and often felt like 2 ships passing in the night. We enrolled the children in youth programs at St. Catherine's and they received their sacraments, went to mass, and participated in youth groups and Dominican Republic trips. But soon, there was another choice. Were we going to sit back and let others make things happen at church? We certainly didn't sit back anywhere else. When were we going to step out? They certainly asked for help enough and needed people to be involved so programs would function to help our parish grow.

So we both did in different ways and continue to years later. We probably could do more but we know if everybody does a little, a lot can happen...

We look at the kids in our parish and want for them what our kids had and more. This church was here for our kids. But we need to plant the seeds now for the flowers to come up... We can't expect kids to grow up into caring individuals if we as adults don't model what caring individuals are/do.

It's uncomfortable to have to give when times are so tough, when there is such uncertainty, it's much easier to let someone else or hope someone else will take care of things.

But God only gives us challenges he knows we can handle. So we chose again this time to give, because it's just too important, it's the right thing to do, it just makes sense.

I guess you can say it's time to pay it forward.

Bill:

Good morning. Let me explain why we are here, here in St. Catherine's.

We brought our family here not for the physical characteristics of this beautiful building. We did not come here for the location. We did not come here for proximity to our home.

We came here for the program, the community, and you. Colleen and I wanted children's programs, and faith based multi faceted activities for our whole family. We came here for the Catholic leadership and guidance in our faith journey, of course, but we walked in here because of the community of St Catherine's of Siena parish. We have watched so many performances of the choirs, special presentations of children's plays, and beautiful Holy Week Masses.

But we stayed here because we found spiritual guidance, and faith challenging experiences... and a warm community.

I am here to witness about our decision to make a contribution to the Building Fund,... funny that I started talking about you all, isn't it? You see this building represents the home and security that you all provide to each one of us. Past and present members of this community have created a dynamic faith. You, all make this a safe place to meditate, pray and grow... yet we can not do that without these buildings. This place is really so much more than the walls and roof.

Over 50 years ago the Charter members of this parish stepped out in faith and built this. They had no real idea of the future only a vision of what this building could provide. Baptisms, Special Masses, Weddings and Funerals have marked this Parish's calendar for nearly 5 decades. They walked in faith as they struggled with plans, and budgets and designs of what to build. They did pretty good, don't you think?

From this place our parish has spread as children have grown up and moved on, or because friends have changed employers. Yes, even to the Dominican Republic we have spread our community. All of this because we have this base, this building.

I believe we have been chosen as the ones to take these buildings to the next 50 years. Yes, chosen. Our decision like yours impacts our family financially and spiritually. An impact that my heart tells me is based on good stewardship and is the right thing to do. Our community has a critical need that requires sacrifice from us all. I believe we get to invest in the future and to take an active role in seeing the vision of 50 years ago grow and expand. We get to get in the game and be a part of something bigger than each of us. Although the decision to donate required us to give more than we have ever before we committed because we get to help build an even better and bigger community.

This is very hard but very, very important. We trust in you that you will respond.

Matt will share the contributions given to date and it is encouraging but we can do better. Please give what ever you can and them some. Find a way to contribute. Be a part of building this community for the next 50 years.