Phase II of our Capital Campaign to build a new church
In 2003, under the leadership of Father Kenneth Laird, a committee was convened to explore the need to build our next church in order to allow for the continued growth of the local Catholic Community. A committee was formed and a study was conducted, and thus was born, Continuing the Legacy of Faith, our new building capital campaign fund. It was determined that St. John the Baptist, then with 485 families, would in fact need to provide for an ever-expanding congregation and pledges began in 2004. Throughout the years, many changes occurred at St. John and throughout the state of Louisiana, including the transition of a number of priests, two hurricanes, and a few economic obstacles on the local and national level, and by 2010, St. John had grown to a parish of more than 800 families. Economic changes had been so drastic that a new building committee was formed and a re-assessment of the project was completed, which led to Phase II of our capital campaign.
As of January 1, 2014, our congregation has swollen to 1,200 families, with more than 1,000 new homes currently planned for construction in the City of Zachary. Our new building, which should provide ample worship space for many years to come, will require double the originally anticipated funding, therefore, we have begun the second pledge campaign. Continuing the Legacy of Faith -- Phase II, will be conducted for three years and we hope to break ground on our new church before the end of 2014. Now, more than ever, it is necessary for Catholics to come together to make the sacrifice necessary to provide for our children and our children's children and we hope we can count on you to leave your legacy to your Catholic family. Won't you join us!
The new building committee consists of the following parishioners: Billy Kline (Chairman), Dr. Scott Buzhard, Danette Castello, Kevin Lemoine, and serving as liaison from the finance committee, Dr. Maxwell Lea. The co-chairs of the Parishioner Pledge Drive Committee are Tem McHugh and Brent Bradley, and the co-chairs of the External Fund Raising Committee are Jena Maughan, Georgianna Walls and Judith Morseth.