Rooted in Christ, Growing in Mission

As we prepare to launch the 2026 Annual Appeal, “Rooted in Christ, Growing in Mission,” I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your faithful support of both our parish and the Diocese of Columbus. Because of your generosity, we successfully surpassed our goal last year, and I am deeply thankful. Time and again, your willingness to give has borne great fruit!

The Appeal is one way we come together as a parish to make a meaningful difference throughout our Diocese. Your Appeal gift supports Catholic ministries, serving those in need and helping form disciples across every stage of life through: Social Outreach, Catholic Education, Evangelization, and Vocations.

This year, our diocesan goal is $184,201.13, while our total parish goal is $300,000. By exceeding the diocesan goal, $115,799 will return directly to our parish without any assessment fee, and these funds will be set aside specifically for the replacement of our 40-year-old synthetic church roof. 

$184,201.13 (Diocese) + $115,799 (Roof Savings) = 

$300,000 Parish Appeal Goal

We plan to repeat this process over the next 2-3 years to fully fund this vital project. In addition, we are committing $100,000 of offertory donations immediately toward the roof replacement. This is only possible because of your generosity, as our offertory giving has continued to increase. Proactively replacing the roof will preserve our recent interior improvements, and reflects our commitment to responsibly caring for our historic buildings. Once the roof is completed, we will turn our attention to needed updates to our floors and pews.

The Appeal is currently underway! I encourage you to prayerfully consider supporting both the diocesan ministries and our parish’s long term needs. An envelope is provided for your gift; however, I strongly encourage you to make a secure pledge or donation online at columbuscatholicgiving.org/appeal.

At this year’s Easter Vigil, we welcomed 39 new Catholics into the Church, a powerful reminder of the mission we share. Thank you for being part of it!

As Bishop Fernandes continues to lead our Diocese with vision and hope, I am filled with gratitude and optimism for what lies ahead. We have been richly blessed here at St. Mary, and I invite you to join me in supporting the 2026 Appeal so that, together, we may remain Rooted in Christ and Growing in Mission, bearing lasting fruit for our Church today and for generations to come.

Gratefully,

Fr. Denis S. Kigozi

Pastor    

Give Online