Story by Blake Vajgrt
LINCOLN – St. Peter Parish in Lincoln kicked off a capital campaign the weekend of Oct. 1-2: an $8.5 million update to the 32-year-old campus, external changes matching the renewal happening at the parish.
The parish placed the campaign under the care and intercession of its patron, Saint Peter. Flowing from the parish’s stewardship way of life, parishioners were invited to place their gifts ‘At the Feet of Peter’ during the campaign.
The campaign process began in 2020 when Father Eric Clark was installed as pastor. In his first assignment as pastor, Father Clark said he knew he had to first listen and come to know his parish. Some of his initial observations came from the results of a 2019 parish survey on the state of the parish: desires, needs and wants. All parishioners were asked to give their perspective on the state of the parish and what they thought needed to happen. In January 2021, a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis was conducted by a third-party consultant at many levels of the parish including staff and teachers, council members, school parents and other parishioners. Father Clark said the survey and SWOT analysis gave him a good understanding of where things stood and where the Holy Spirit, working in the hearts of parishioners, was inviting the parish to go.
Father Clark identified and invited individuals to serve on the strategic planning committee that would set goals and plans of action for the parish’s needs. The committee identified several areas of focus: facilities, hospitality, school, prayer, service, leadership, formation, communication, sacraments and liturgy, evangelization and outreach, and finances and tithing. From the collaboration of the committee came the parish’s vision and mission: “St. Peter Catholic Church will abide in Christ, and build His Kingdom by making disciples.”
Father Clark and committee members knew the parish had to address deferred maintenance as a result of the parish survey and SWOT analysis. John Kuchta, campaign co-chair, trustee and Finance Council chair, is a founding member of the parish. An early campaign marketing material featured a photo of John with then-pastor Father Robert Vasa – now Bishop of Santa Rosa, Calif. – shovel in hand, at the groundbreaking ceremony.
“The parish has deferred maintenance of the facility for many years because at first we were building, but now it is time to plan to budget and plan for ongoing upkeep of our facilities that are over 30 years old,” said Kuchta.
Addressing the deferred maintenance such as the parking lots, fire alarms, and HVAC systems, is one component of the campaign. Some of the work has already begun, like the new fire alarm and HVAC system. Another component is updating security systems and making access more seamless at the parish. The parish is installing a new fob, surveillance camera, and lighting systems to create a secure and welcoming home.
Beautification of the sanctuary is another piece of the campaign. The beautification of the sanctuary will begin in the summer of 2023. The entire project, start to finish, is projected to last just under one year. The final component of the campaign is creating an endowment for the parish to use for future needs, such as continual maintenance.
On Good Friday 2021, when Father Clark stood in the wake of stripping the altar, he said he noticed one thing that was missing. As things were removed and the altar stood bare, Father Clark reflected on the experience. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal instructs that altars should be notable, durable, and suited for sacred use. As he inspected the altar he noticed a laminated wood surface and the lack of an altar stone.
He recalled thinking, “I offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on this altar, but I go over to the rectory and make a peanut butter and jelly on a granite countertop.”
He pointed out that the parish and its founders accomplished great work in the infancy of the parish. They erected a school, church, and several additions within five years. The focus of the building projects was to make things structurally sound that could be ornate as the parish developed its own culture and styling. The parish has partnered with Conrad-Schmitt Studios to beautify the existing structures in the sanctuary.
“We are building upon the foundation of what has already been accomplished by the founders of this parish,” Father Clark said.
St. Peter Church, built in a Romanesque style, is characterized by a vast nave, low ceilings yet large wall spaces that became the hallmark architecture style in the 5th through 9th centuries. An element missing in this Romanesque church is the inclusion of traditional mosaics and murals that decorate the churches built after the conversion of the Roman Empire. After the beautification of the sanctuary at St. Peter, this won’t be the case. Incorporated into the artwork will be murals depicting 12 figures from the story of salvation found in the Old Testament and the 12 apostles. The stained glass windows, depicting encounters with the Jesus through the eyes of St. Peter, will be redone to match the updated artwork.
As the desire and vision began catching momentum, the parish welcomed Dr. Dennis McNamara, one of the country’s foremost experts in church architecture, to help parishioners see that a church space is more than just a building. Karen Largen, a parishioner since 1993, is part of the parish’s design team to create a beautiful and welcoming place to worship that helps bring individuals to encounter the Lord.
“I believe that beauty stirs the soul,” she said. “It’s providential that our project coincides with a national Eucharistic revival as called for by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Our parish recently started Eucharistic Exposition during weekday hours. It is my hope that our efforts at remodeling will help ‘lift the veil’ so that all who enter the Church may feel a sense of the sacred even more.”
The support-raising component of the campaign began in April 2022 when founding members of the parish were invited to view plans for the campaign and they were asked to give their feedback. Kuchta said the biggest talk of the night was the plan for the new church sanctuary.
“The grassroots support for this campaign is incredible,” he said.
When asked why now he replied, “When we identified the principles we want to live by as a parish through our strategic plan, there is no question for us who’ve been around from the beginning that our behaviors must match our goals if we want to live out the principle of incorporating Beauty in our sacred liturgy and sacred space.”
The plans were then shown to daily Mass goers as well as parish and school staff.
“We wanted to get initial buy-in and feedback from those who attend daily Mass and staff. They are the ones who use the facility the most,” said Father Clark.
The staff overwhelming appreciated the opportunity to teach visually to parishioners, young and old, with the artwork that is planned.
Zachary Kane, a parishioner since 2015 and campaign co-chair, is excited about what the new sanctuary will bring.
“Places and spaces have meaning,” he said. “We’ve felt that in our worship at St. Peter and in our friends and parish community. When we complete the campaign, we will be able to show the world the vibrancy of both aspects of our parish.”
The silent phase of the campaign began this summer when Father Clark scheduled 60 meetings with 60 prospective donors in 60 days, asking for their support. As of the campaign kickoff Oct. 1-2, more than $6 million has been pledged of the total campaign goal of $8.5 million.
The campaign team isn’t surprised by the generosity of parishioners, but it isn’t lost on them either.
“The whole purpose of this project is to give glory back to God. Doing just that is easy when you see the generosity of the gifts, from a single-income family with four children to the retired empty-nesters. You realize quickly that it isn’t about you or the parish when you see the gifts pour in. It is a humble reminder that we have a good Father in Heaven who is a gift giver,” said Father Clark.
Campaign information has been provided to all parishioners to enlist support of this project. Anyone interested in contributing to the campaign can donate online at saintpeterlincoln.com or call the parish office at 402-423-1239. The timeline for the church beautification is to begin June 2023, with a completion date of April 2024.
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