WEST WARWICK - St. Mary parishioners have always been known for their generosity, so when a capital campaign was announced earlier this year to fund major church renovations and other projects, it was no surprise that the members of the loyal parish family would give generously from their hearts.
"This is such a special parish," said Deborah DeCesaris, church business manager and a member of the parish finance council.
The capital campaign was launched March 4 with a "Commitment Weekend," and has raised $298,040. De Cesaris noted that when word of the campaign became known several months ago, pledges soon began arriving at the rectory office of the 163-year-old parish. The campaign goal is $300,000.
The decision to conduct a capital campaign followed a successful series of "wish lists" that appeared in the parish bulletin for two years, DeCesaris said. Parishioners compiled the lists to fund necessary improvements, such as renovating the parish hall kitchen, installing carpeting in the church and updating the sound system. Some parishioners made restricted donations to fund certain projects, such as purchasing new altar seating, replacing tables and chairs in the parish hall and adding central air conditioning.
When it was determined that more costly improvements were needed, Father Paul F. Reynolds, church pastor, and the parish finance committee sought approval last Sept. 12 from the diocesan Secretariat for Planning and Financial Services to conduct a capital campaign. The Parish Capital Review and Evaluation Committee reviewed the application, and sent its positive recommendation to Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, who approved the request on Sept. 25.
(Father Reynolds is currently on medical leave; Msgr. Jacques L. Plante, pastor of Sts. John and James Church, is serving as temporary parish administrator).
Prior to submitting the application, the finance committee met several times with Anthony T. Gwiazdowski, director of the diocesan Stewardship and Development Office, to discuss the feasibility of a campaign.
Gwiazdowski set a projected goal for the campaign, based on the parish's giving history and demographics, and supplied the committee with a list of professional fundraisers who could implement and conduct the appeal. The finance committee interviewed three firms before choosing Cunneen Fundraising of Hamden, Conn.
Noting that of the 911 families registered in the parish only 253 return budget envelopes, DeCesaris said the financial council members' initial fears were dispelled by the parishioners' enthusiastic response. While some made one-time donations, others chose to extend their pledges over three years.
"Our parishioners have been fabulous," she exclaimed. "This is such a wonderful community."
Former communicants of the historic Pawtuxet Valley church were also informed of the fundraising appeal, and many have generously responded.
"We've received donations from Florida and California," DeCesaris noted. "We mailed materials to former parishioners who've moved away. Their hearts are always at St. Mary's. It's a family parish."
The money will be used to repair and refurbish the church's stained glass windows; upgrade its fire alarm system to comply with new fire codes; pay off a 2006 diocesan loan used to replace the roof and put new siding on the church; reconfigure the pastor's living quarters; replace the rectory's worn siding and roof; resurface the parish parking lot and rebuild the stone wall in front of the church. The finance committee hopes to complete the projects within three years.
"It is our responsibility to maintain our church as we would our home," De Cesaris said, recalling a recent homily delivered by Msgr. Plante, in which he reminded parishioners that the church is "their home away from home."
St. Mary Church is located at 66 Church St., West Warwick. For further information, call 821-5555.
(This article originally appeared in The Providence Visitor)
