November 2017
We are almost there!
As we have shared with you in the past, the total needed to cover the cost of the proposed Pastoral Center on the Emmaus campus and the Chapel Life and Retreat Center at Queen of Angels is $3,750,000. This number includes $250K in debt reduction, thus, from that our initial goal is half of the cost of building: $1,750,000. That is what we need to have in the bank in order to proceed with the hiring of an architect and contractor. We are almost there.
Today I was informed that we have in the bank $1,614,515!
We need just $135,485 to reach our initial goal. In addition the cathedraticum looms: we have until November 30, 2017 (this Thursday) before our deadline on being able to keep all building project funds ends. After that, 10% percent of all funds go to the diocese. Those funds are used to help poorer parishes. While I am in favor of helping poorer parishes, I do encourage two things:
I am very grateful to everyone who has supported our capital campaign to this point. You are helping our growing parish to meet both current and future needs in support of our people. I ask that everyone prayerfully consider how you might help us to meet this initial goal and then our final goal as well. My hope and dream is that we can do this building project without incurring any additional parish debt.
There is information on our website about giving online:
www.EmmausParish.org/Egiving
Here is a quick slide show on the two proposed buildings: click here.
Please contact the parish office or me if you have any questions or need information on how to send or transfer funds.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Samuel Hose
October 2016
Dear Parishioners,
Grounded in Faith, Growing to Serve well describes Emmaus Catholic Parish and our motivation to undertake this very important capital campaign.
Since the beginning, Emmaus has been a parish strongly grounded in faith. Our parishioners come in all ages - from the tiny children in our Early Childhood Education Program to our more established members who have “aged to perfection” and everyone in between. We all share in a commitment to our deep Catholic faith roots. We gather together in groups large and small, old and young, studying, discussing, learning, and sharing. We also come together in compassion for our neighbors in need, serving our community through many outreach programs. Through it all, we dig deeper into our faith while we grow personally and as a community.
As our numbers continue to grow, so must our infrastructure to adequately care for our parish and all we serve. Just as was the case when we started planning for our Parish Life Center, we have reached another critical point in the life of our parish. With the impending removal of our temporary portable buildings, and with the ever-growing needs of our parish and the community in which we live, we must move forward with building. In this brochure, you will find our plan outlined in several phases. Our plan incorporates our building needs at Emmaus in Lakeway and Queen of Angels Chapel in Spicewood, and also our desire to keep debt under control and provide for ongoing maintenance.
We are a committed, compassionate faith community. Let us join together to reach our campaign goals so that we may grow in service to our parishioners, our neighbors, and, most importantly, to God.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Samuel Hose
In 2001, The Church of the Resurrection of the Lord (Emmaus) was dedicated with 700 faith-filled families. Our large narthex became the gathering place for parish events, faith formation classes, youth nights, and meetings.
The existing house on the property, built over 50 years ago, was converted to the administration office for the parish. The house was used for meetings, funeral receptions, and retreats. In 2005, two modular buildings were acquired to provide for faith formation classes and various group meetings.
As a result of our parishioners’ extraordinary generosity through the Together We Will campaign, the Emmaus Parish Life Center (PLC) was dedicated in 2011. This facility enabled us to house more faith formation classes and gatherings, expand our ministries, develop additional outreach programs such as Bright Horizons Respite Care and ESL, provide supportive funeral receptions, create an Early Childhood Education Program, accommodate large parish family gatherings such as Fall Fest and the annual Gala, and increase our music programs. It has truly become the life center of our parish.
In 2013, parishioners and staff were invited to several listening and information sessions to gather ideas regarding our future needs. A survey was conducted to include all parishioners in this process. With this feedback, a multi-phase plan was developed to meet the current needs of the parish as well as those of future generations.
What began with 700 families has now more than tripled in numbers and needs. With God’s continued guidance and your support, the seeds of faith already planted will grow to serve the parishioners of Emmaus and our community. This growth is sustained through prayer, adoration, devoted clergy, and you. Your participation in liturgies, outreach, and catechesis is the path to a deeper faith and more supportive community. With your continued support, the vision of Growing to Serve others can become a reality.
Heavenly Father,
We gather together as family
to give thanks for our many blessings,
and to share our love for You
and for one another.
We pray that Emmaus Catholic Parish
is always a welcoming family
for all who seek to know You.
.
As a reflection of Jesus' sacrifice,
may we freely offer our gifts
to build upon the faith foundation
we have inherited.
May we be good stewards
of all Your gifts,
passing them on to future generations.
.
As we continue life's journey home to You,
let our love and service to others most in need
be a testament to our love for You.
.
We ask all this through Christ our Lord,
Amen