Below is an update from the St. Thomas Facilities Planning Committee (presented to the parish at a Cafe Sunday event on April 12) on the new church building project, including recent accomplishments, upcoming tasks, a fundraising update, and a review of the project’s timeline.

Here is an updated building project timeline.

The Corcoran City Council approved, on May 22, the site plan application for moving dirt on the premises to allow for the future building of a new church. There are a few more governmental hurdles that need to be cleared before the actual permits can be applied for, but dirt should be able to be moved this summer.

On February 27, the Corcoran City Council reviewed the church site plan (see "2025-0128 Overall CSP"). View meeting here (starting at time stamp 1:18:28). The next step is that the CSP will go to the planning commission (date TBD).

The timeline grid shows a goal of Christmas Mass 2027 in the new church.

As we approach the end of 2024, the St. Thomas the Apostle Facilities Planning Committee would like to provide an update on the parish’s progress in building a new church. Last April, at a parish-wide meeting, the Committee presented updated design concepts and the important liturgical elements of the new church. Since then, the Committee’s focus has been working with the architectural and civil engineering consultants to create and submit a site development plan to the City of Corcoran. View the presentation below.

View the handout and presentation below.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).

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In what ways can I make a gift to the Capital Campaign?

Below are various ways to give. Please consider one or multiple options when determining a commitment. There may be tax benefits to giving. Please consult your accountant or financial advisor to learn more.

• Cash

• Check

• Online giving through our website

• Stocks and Bonds

• Individual Retirement Account & Required Minimum Distributions

• Gifts from the cash value of Life Insurance

• In-Kind Donations

• Real Estate

• Employer Matching Gift

We ask that you pray for God’s guidance throughout this process. This is an important moment in St. Thomas church’s history, and we thank you for your interest!

For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God (Hebrews 3:4).

Why do we need to build a new church?

Two primary issues are creating an urgency to build a new facility. The first issue is a growing Corcoran community. By 2040, there will be an estimated 2,000 new housing units in Corcoran, and the population is estimated to grow 103.6% from 5,600 to 11,400. We want to be ready to welcome these families as they choose a church home. Second, the current church is too small and often experiences overcrowding. For example, past attendance has been 300 in a 160-person capacity church on Ash Wednesday, Easter, and Christmas Masses. People entered and left due to overcrowding. Other reasons include ADA and accessibility issues, as well as safety concerns with crossing County Road 10.

You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land (Psalm 80:9).

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Announcing the Capital Campaign!

After much research and parishioner feedback, St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church is moving forward with a Capital Campaign to build a new church! The campaign theme is Rooted in Faith – Building Our Future. Over the next couple of months, we'll share more information about this project before asking parishioners to commit financially.

Upcoming Campaign Event:

Campaign kick-off event in the Parish Center dining hall on Sunday, September 25. Lunch, door prizes, and fellowship will follow a presentation!

View the Campaign Q&A below.

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Capital Campaign Committee: Susan Wieneke (Chair), Cate Dugan, Cindy Patnode, Kim Day, Jamie Heuton, Michelle Bartlett

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