Pathway to the Future î ‰e Campaign for Alumni Chapel
“I would not be a priest without Blessed John XXIII.”
Do these words sound familiar? ey could have been spoken by any one of our alumni—perhaps you’ve said them yourself. In 2014, Blessed John XXIII will turn 50—the age at which some of you answered the call and came to our Seminary. As the only American seminary for mature candidates administered by diocesan priests, we were here for you. And now, you are one of 600 dedicated alumni serving Jesus Christ and His Church in more than 140 dioceses and religious orders across the United States and beyond. We are proud to have helped you in your formation and vocation as a priest. Now it’s our turn to ask for your help. Today we embark on e Pathway to the Future, a $10 million capital campaign to fund facility improvements, an expanded library, and a stronger endowment for Blessed John XXIII.
As you know, the chapel is the center of the liturgical life of our Seminary and the heart of our community. is is why we’ve chosen to renovate it as the first phase of the campaign. And our goal is to name it in your honor— Alumni Chapel. In our long history, we have never held a major fundraising campaign. But you understand beer than anyone that our facilities and infrastructure, especially our chapel, are showing their age and no longer accommodate our needs.
So we’re turning to you, our alumni, to help. We cordially invite you to stand with us as we prepare for the next 50 years.
Our Voices
“We are brothers for life. ” —Larry Love ’15 “e community of men at Blessed John XXIII continues to amaze me. It has been a pleasure for me to support the formation journeys of so many men since my ordination almost fiy years ago” —Rev. Dan Crowley ’68 “During my time at Blessed John XXIII I spent many wonderful days preparing for priesthood. I can’t find the right words to express my gratitude and appreciation for everything that they have done for me and my ministry.” —Rev. Jaime Garcia ’08
“My classmates and I would not be serving in parishes across the country without a Seminary like Blessed John XXIII.” —Rev. Dick Jakubauskas ’99
“e priests and professors were wonderful mentors to me and have le an impact I carry with me always. As Dean of Seminarians, I now carry that responsibility forward.” —Rev. omas Schmi ’91
“As alumni, we must keep the seminary strong and vital for future generations of men yet to answer God’s call.” —Rev. Richard Fitzgerald ’87
Our Chapel– Alumni Chapel
No one has spent more time in our chapel than you and your brothers. It probably holds a special place in your heart. But you’re also aware of its shortcomings—its rock-hard, straightbacked pews, for example. As you might recall, the lighting and sightlines are poor, the furnishings are worn, and seating is limited. As we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary, we have been working hard on planning much-needed renovations and raising funds to support them.
When we reach our $1 million goal, the new Alumni Chapel will have more comfortable seating, increased capacity, beer accessibility, and a more welcoming atmosphere. Construction will begin this spring, but we need your help to complete the project—and unveil the new Alumni Chapel at Alumni Days this coming fall!
When you return to Blessed John XXIII, you’ll be proud of your Alumni Chapel. As you walk through the new entrance, you’ll encounter comfortable upholstered pews, new flooring, new heating and cooling systems, improved acoustics, new placements and lighting of the Stations of the Cross, and a lower altar, providing improved safety and handicap access. You’ll also see a redesigned reredos and new sanctuary furnishings. e altar will feature a larger crucifix and new statues of Mary and Child and Saint Joseph. Also you’ll notice new altar cloths, vestments, sacred vessels, Deacon chairs, a new Principal Celebrant chair, and Relic Repository. At the back, you’ll see new Devotional Spaces, and as you look up, you’ll be pleased to see a transparent balcony wall, offering improved visibility and additional seating for 40, bringing capacity up to 240.
Donor Profiles Fr. James Walker ’99 Fr. James Walker ’99 is Vicar General of the Diocese of Gallup in Western New Mexico and Eastern Arizona. Located on Native American (Navajo) land, it is the only diocese that goes beyond state borders. Fr. Walker came to Blessed John aer a 33-year teaching career. He taught English at an all-boys Catholic school run by the Irish Christian Brothers, and aer earning his master’s and doctorate degrees, taught in colleges and universities across the country. In fact, in his 75 years, Fr. Walker has been to all 50 states. As a child he always wanted to be a priest, and the idea, he says, never went away. He remembers fondly his time at Blessed John XXIII. His $25,000 gi will fund the new Relic Repository in Alumni Chapel. “I appreciate the opportunity to participate in and support the project of the Seminary’s renovated chapel. It is, for me, another way to express my thanks to so many at Blessed John and the wonderful and meaningful years I spent there. I convey my thanks to Father Palardy and the faculty and staff for this chance to say thanks for all they do for future priests.”
e Rowen Family Sometimes in life we have the good fortune to cross paths with special people who selflessly share their time, energy, and treasure. Frances and Stephen Rowen were two such beloved people in our Blessed John community. Our decades-long relationship began in the 1960s when Fran and Steve met Blessed John seminarians serving in pastoral ministry at St. Julia Parish in Weston. Since then, few supporters have given so much to the life of our community as did Fran and Steve. Both have passed on to the Lord, but their legacy will live on in our Seminary. In memory of Steve and Fran (our biggest soball team fan and cheerleader), two of their daughters and son are funding a new entrance and crucifix for the Chapel their parents so loved. We are very grateful for their $70,000 gi. We hope you’ll join the Rowen family in supporting the Alumni Chapel and showing your appreciation for Blessed John.
Your Gi
All of us at Blessed John XXIII are grateful we could help in your formation and vocation as a priest. e Campaign for Alumni Chapel is a major undertaking that we can’t accomplish without your help. We understand that you might not have significant resources to spare, but every gi counts. Together, you and your alumni brothers can make a major difference—even more so if you consider joining ranks to make a gi in honor of your class.
anks to several lead donors, we’re well on the way to reaching our $1 million goal. If you’ve never given to Blessed John before, this is the time. Make a special gi in honor of our 50th anniversary, and help us revitalize the chapel.
How to Give
It’s easy to make a pledge. You can give monthly, quarterly or annual payments over three to five years. We welcome gis of any amount—including cash, checks or securities. Please consider a gi from the accompanying chart that will support your new Alumni Chapel and the mission of Blessed John XXIII.
Pledge
$ amount/# years
$100,000/5 $50,000/5 $25,000/5 $10,000/3 $5,000/3 $3,000/3
10% down
10,000 5,000 2,500 1,000 500 300
annually
For more information contact: Dick Murphy or Kate Folan Development Office 781-899-5500
18,000 9,000 4,500 3,000 1,500 900
quarterly monthly
4,500 2,250 1,125 750 375 225
1,500 750 375 250 125 75
Blessed John XXIII National Seminary
558 South Avenue Weston, MA 02493 (781) 899-5500 www.blessedjohnxxiii.edu