My Dear Parish Family,
As we look ahead to the 175th anniversary of our parish—and approach 25 years since our community established our present campus—I am deeply grateful for the blessings God continues to pour out on the people of St. John. Generations before us built a spiritual home rooted in faith, sacrifice, and hope. Many longtime parishioners remember the effort that brought this campus to life. Their generosity gave us a place to worship, learn, and grow. A new generation has grown up in the blessings of that sacrifice.
Today, we are invited to continue that legacy.
To prepare our parish for the future and ensure our campus remains strong, beautiful, and mission-ready, we are undertaking a capital campaign entitled Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord. This effort will allow us to address several essential needs: the replacement of our school roof to protect the heart of our educational and parish life, the modernization of our church’s lighting and sound capabilities, the replacement of aging HVAC units, a complete re-design of our bell tower next to the Portico, and most excitingly, the beautifying of our church interior including installment of more stained glass windows.
These improvements are not simply maintenance. They are investments in our mission—so that all who come here may worship with clarity and beauty, gather in comfort and safety, and continue to encounter Christ in a parish that is vibrant and fully alive.
Your insights and participation will help guide this important work. My hope is that every household will join me in praying for the success of this effort and will give careful consideration to how they might contribute in their own way to support the future of our parish family.
Just as those before us built for a future they could only envision, we now have the privilege of doing the same, ensuring that generations to come inherit a parish strengthened in faith, service, and community.
Thank you for your continued love, generosity, and witness. May the Lord bless the work before us, and may we truly make a joyful noise unto the Lord as we take this next faithful step together.
Love you guys,
Fr. Mark Bialek
OUR NEEDS
This is the MOST RECENT list of campaign projects!
After getting parishioner feedback and further conversations with our project managers, our goals for this campaign have shifted.
Through this $3 million campaign, St. John will undertake a coordinated series of projects over three years that safeguard our campus and enhance our worship. Organizing the work into phases allows us to manage construction efficiently, minimize disruption to parish life, and complete each project at the most practical and cost-effective time.
Phase 1 - School Roof
Target: Summer 2026 & 2027
The first and most urgent priority is replacing the school roof. Because this work can only occur when school is not in session, funding must be secured early to begin construction in summer 2026. A new roof will protect classrooms and learning spaces for decades to come and will also allow other fully funded school improvements — including the basketball court renovation — to move forward once the roof is complete.
Phase 2 - HVAC Replacement
Target: 2027
Replacing aging HVAC units across the campus will increase comfort, reliability, and energy efficiency for all who worship, learn, and gather here.
Phase 3 - The Bell Tower
Target: Fall 2028
As we approach the 175th anniversary of our founding, we intend for our parish to make a joyful noise that will echo into future generations. Our bell tower was originally built in the 1970s in conjunction with our former church (now the Portico). This tower will be completely redesigned to match the architectural style of our current church, bridging our past and present!
Phase 4 - Interior Upgrades
Target: Fall 2028
The above photos are renderings from JRS Architects of the proposed interior improvements that will be made to the church! These upgrades include:
Church Lighting – Upgrading the lighting in the sanctuary will improve visibility and enhance the experience of Mass, weddings, funerals, and parish celebrations. Most notably, our Stations of the Cross will each be specially lit from above, highlighting these beloved and historic relics of our parish in every Mass.
Church Sound System – A modern sound system will ensure that Scripture, prayer, and sacred music are heard clearly from every seat in the church.
New Stained Glass – We will be repairing and properly bracing our current stain glass windows, which are from our Main Street church. We will also be acquiring windows from three Seek the City parishes within the Archdiocese of Baltimore, not only helping to preserve their history, but also add beauty to our church. The first windows to be installed will be from the Shrine of the Little Flower. Take a look at these newly acquired windows at the following links:
Little Flower Windows 1 – 8
Little Flower Windows 9 – 16
There will be opportunities for families to memorialize the new stain glass windows to remember a loved one. Further information will be available in the coming months!
Wood Paneling – New wood paneling will go around the church and below the stations of the cross. This will help preserve the walls and paint while adding beauty to the sanctuary.
Sanctuary Enhancements – We will finish and enhance the back of the sanctuary with new paint and accents. The result will be a better focus on the altar, tabernacle, crucifix scene and rose window. There will also be a facade of organ pipes installed above the altar. The real pipes will still remain out of sight, meaning this facade will act as a beautiful visual complement to our historic organ’s music.
Flooring Design – The geometric design on the floor in the narthex will be extended into the sanctuary to help unify our church’s design.
Parishioners can offer feedback on the renderings at the link below!
“A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.”
Proverbs 18:16
WAYS TO GIVE
Supporting Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord is a chance to invest in the future of St. John. We are asking every household to participate in a way that reflects their gratitude and hope for the future. Every commitment, through prayer, financial sacrifice, or sharing the campaign message helps bring this vision to life.
Pledges: Giving Over Time
Making a pledge allows you to spread your commitment over the three years of this endeavor. This approach makes larger gifts more manageable and gives the parish steady support throughout the campaign.
One-Time Gifts: Immediate Help
One-time gifts of cash, check, or online donations provide immediate resources to move projects forward.
Pledges: Giving Over Time
Making a pledge allows you to spread your commitment over the three years of this endeavor. This approach makes larger gifts more manageable and gives the parish steady support throughout the campaign.
One-Time Gifts: Immediate Help
One-time gifts of cash, check, or online donations provide immediate resources to move projects forward.
Matching Gifts
Check if your employer offers a matching gift program. You may be able to double or triple the impact of your gift with just a few simple forms.
Gifts of Stock or Securities
Donating appreciated securities can be a smart way to give. The Archdiocese of Baltimore can assist in transferring these gifts directly to the parish campaign. Please contact the parish office for assistance.
IRA Contributions
If you are age 73 or older, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution directly from your IRA. This can be a tax-efficient way to support the campaign while fulfilling your required minimum distribution.
Matching Gifts
Check if your employer offers a matching gift program. You may be able to double or triple the impact of your gift with just a few simple forms.
Gifts of Stock or Securities
Donating appreciated securities can be a smart way to give. The Archdiocese of Baltimore can assist in transferring these gifts directly to the parish campaign. Please contact the parish office for assistance.
IRA Contributions
If you are age 73 or older, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution directly from your IRA. This can be a tax-efficient way to support the campaign while fulfilling your required minimum distribution.
As you prayerfully consider your commitment to Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord, please keep the following in mind:
– Pledges may be fulfilled in regular installments over a three-year period.
– Contributions to this campaign are separate from your regular offertory giving.
– Payment reminders will be sent based on the schedule you select.
– Checks may be made payable St. John Roman Catholic Church with “Make a Joyful Noise” in the memo line.
– Pledge payments are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Will Be Asked To Support The Campaign?
All members of St. John Catholic Church will be invited to participate in this effort. This includes parishioners, regular Mass attendees, visitors, and friends of the parish. Every household is encouraged to consider a prayerful and sacrificial commitment to help us reach our goal.
Will All Of The Funds Raised Stay At St. John?
Yes. Every dollar contributed will remain at St. John and be directed to the important improvements outlined in this campaign.
How Can I Make A Gift?
Gifts can be made by cash, check, or online with a credit card. We also accept stock transfers and planned giving commitments. Pledges may be fulfilled over a three-year period to allow flexibility and prayerful planning.
Can I Make An Anonymous Gift Or Give In Honor Of Someone?
Yes. You may make your gift anonymously or in honor or memory of a loved one. Simply indicate your preference on the pledge form or when making your contribution.
What If My Financial Situation Changes After I Make A Pledge?
We understand that circumstances can change. If you need to adjust your pledge, please contact the Parish Office. We will work with you to make any needed changes to your giving plan.
What Happens If We Exceed Our Goal?
If contributions exceed our $3,000,000 goal, any additional funds will be used to address other pressing capital needs on the campus or to cover unforeseen cost increases associated with the planned improvements.
For more information:
Call the Parish Office at 410-848-4744
Contact our Business Manager, Adam Garheart at 410-876-9446 or adam.garheart@sjwest.org
Thank you for taking the time to prayerfully consider supporting this vital campaign that will renew our parish for generations to come.