A Supportive Community

Dear Parishioners, 

I thank all who helped with our Parish Reunion and all who attended. Part of the purpose of the Reunion was to pay down the debt on the St. Damien Center.  We had a fun evening, and we reduced our debt by another $6,000. 

We originally borrowed $600,000 from the Diocese of Peoria in late 2022 to complete the construction of the St. Damien Center. We began what we labeled our Centennial Campaign.  Since that time, we have reduced the debt substantially. It now stands at less than a quarter of a million dollars. We have three more years to retire this debt. More information will be published in our annual financial report in October.   

We recently sealed the black top around the Middle School building. This project was funded by our “His Heart Our Hands Offertory” program. Your offertory donations also helped to fund our recent Vacation Bible School.  

The support of the people of Sacred Heart is very inspiring. The finance committee recently reviewed our overall finances at the end of the fiscal year. The whole committee is very pleased. We ask that you continue to be generous and to include Sacred Heart in your charitable giving and estate planning. Jesus had to rely on the generosity of others as he engaged in his ministry. The needs continue.  Thanks again for your charity towards your parish. 

May Our Lady of Peace pray for our divided world, 

Fr. Mark