Beginning to Make Beautiful Music

As we move closer to our quest for the "Vision for the Future of St. Edna's," we are experiencing increased activities behind the scenes.  One could compare all of this to assembling a magnificent concert orchestra.  In place of the strings, percussion, keyboard, brass and other wind instruments, we have all those involved individuals needed to be in concert for our vision to become reality.  Included in our "orchestra" will be the Chicago Archdiocese, our architect, our neighbors to the North and East, the Village of Arlington Heights, hundreds of volunteers to staff the two major committees, and thousands of parishioners to participate in the Capital Campaign.


It is easy to understand that before Father Jerry can raise his baton to signal the start of the concert, a great deal of preliminary work has been required.  The architect will change the original project renderings to formal drawings.  The Chicago Archdiocese will need to approve the formal plans.  We will need to keep our neighbors informed of both our plans and our progress.  The Building and Capital Campaign committees will need to be formed and become functional.  The Village of Arlington Heights will then be involved in giving their approval not only to our plan but to each phase of the project.  However, without question, the most important ingredient will be those parishoners who make the decision to bring the vision to life through their participation in the Capital Campaign.


The "Vision for the Future of St. Edna's" is need based, revealed through parishioner and parish staff dialog in addition to professional inspection of the parish physical assets.  The repair and replacement of some of the outdated physical plant was obvious, and expanding the space for our faith-based programs and fellowship gatherings was understandable.


As a Catholic parish, what greater purpose should we serve than to be evangelists?  The need to teach the gospel was further brought out in a study led by Catholic University sociologist William D'Antonio.  Of the U.S. Catholic adults surveyed:

• 40% said you can be a good Catholic without believing that during the consecration the bread and wine really become the body and blood of Christ
• The survey also revealed that only 73% of these same Catholics said that the resurrection of Jesus was very important to them.

St. Edna's is blessed with an incredible staff plus able volunteers to teach faith-based programs at all levels.  Now we need the space to answer the growing need.  We ask that you remember this as you pray about your level of involvement.  We also ask that you pray for the success of our campaign and for all those who freely give of their time and talents to bring theVision to life.


Father Jerry is approaching the podium, and the overture is about to begin.  All participants are moving toward their places and soon all will be in concert.  We ask that you join in this wonderful St. Edna production.