in the homily, the real Body of Christ is received in Holy Communion, and we reflect it in our lives afterwards. We become what we receive and share it in the words we speak and the actions we take. Your

“faith in action” will realize the objectives of our parish Master Plan.

Pope Francis encourages us to “rediscover the richness encompassed by the spiritual and corporal works of mercy,” making God’s love visible and tangible for God’s people on earth through our faith communities and parishes by putting our Faith into Action and coming to the aid of our community in body and spirit. God loves

“cheerful givers,” who place no conditions on their giving, nor give based not on “what the Church tells us it wants or needs,” but on OUR need to give back to God for the blessings we have received and been privileged to earn. So our upcoming campaign is a time to take a personal inventory of our blessings, acknowledge the gifts we’ve received, and respond accordingly to our need to give back to God.

Love and Prayers,Fr. Randy Cuevas

One of my favorite stories to pray with in the Gospels is the Wedding of Cana. In this scene, Jesus and Mary were invited to a wedding and the servers ran out of wine. Jesus told the servers to fill some jars with water, and they filled them to the brim. Once they presented him the jugs of water He transformed the water into wine (John 2:1-11).

Notice that Jesus did not transform the water into wine until the servers cooperated with Him by filling the jugs with water and lugging them back to the wedding feast. Jesus certainly did the miracle which drew his disciples to believe in Him, but He did not perform it without the cooperation of the servants. Quite often, Jesus Christ operates in a similar manner with us. He will work great miracles in our lives and the lives of others, but He typically does not work these miracles without the cooperation of us, His Mystical Body.

I believe that Jesus Christ desires to share His gifts with generations to come to St. Aloysius, and I believe that He calls us to cooperate with Him through our Capital Campaign. I invite you to spend time with God in prayer and ask Him how He is calling you to cooperate with Him in this Capital Campaign for your sanctification, the sanctification of others, and most importantly for the Glory of God.

May Love Always Triumph, Fr. Joshua Johnson

Father Joshua Johnson

Proposed Rendering from St. Vincent de Paul of the Sweet Dreams Shelter Expansion

St. Aloysius Parish formed out of St. Agnes and Sacred Heart Parish by Archbishop Rummel. Fr. Daniel Becnel is named as our first Pastor.

200 volunteers conduct fund drive for $240,000

The first mass was held at Southdown’s Elementary School in the summer of 1955. Temporary Church and first school building is completed in 1956. School opens with 260 students and is staffed by a lay faculty.

1955

Church is completed

1956 1957

The Daughters of Jesus come to St. Aloysius from Spain.

1959

Second school building is built

A History of St. Aloysius Parish...

1963

Convent is built (current Administration Building)

1974

Fr. Robert Marcell named as our second Pastor.

1976

Rectory and Gym completed

Parish Office Built

$400,000 raised to purchase new piece of property on the corner of Mimosa and Stuart

1978

A Socially Responsible Capital Campaign

Hand In Hand… Faith In Action (2016)The Social Responsibility Commission, Pastoral Council, Finance Council

and staff have collaborated and determined that the St. Vincent de Paul Sweet Dreams Shelter will be the beneficiary of our Hand In Hand…

Faith In Action social responsibility project.

This project will respond to the need for additional short-term emergency housing, targeting the vulnerable population of homeless women and

mothers with children. The renovation and expansion of the Sweet Dreams Shelter will increase their capacity from 36 to over 70 beds.

The Sweet Dreams Shelter for women and children is dear to our hearts at St. Aloysius. It only seems appropriate that, as we build a child care center for the children of our parish, we also provide funds for a shelter intended

for the most vulnerable children in our area.

St. Aloysius always looks for ways to touch the lives

of those most in need. We also believe that charity

begins at home and hope to make people aware

that missionary/evangelization needs and outreach

opportunities exist in their own backyard.

Hand In Hand… Step By Step (1999) A habitat house was sponsored with St. Aloysius funds

and completed in 2001.

Hand In Hand… The Next Step (2005)St. Aloysius partnered with the Diocese of Baton Rouge and provided

funding for the Jubilee House located in Valley Park on Glenmore Avenue. So named to honor our 2005 campaign as well as our 50th Anniversary!

St. Aloysius celebrates 25 years with 1,200 families

1980 1984

Fr. Hubert J. Brou named as third Pastor

1985

John Bennett named Principal of St. Aloysius School

1986

Convent and Parish Office buildings switch. The Convent becomes the Parish Administration Building

Parish is debit free

1991-95

A Master Plan is developed to include a three and ten year plan for the Church and School

Ground is broken on new church and new school administration building

New church is dedicated

MARCH 2, 1996

Fr. Gerald Burns is named as fourth Pastor

JULY 1997 1997-2000

Decision made to acquire Mimosa Street property, instead of Perkins Road Property

Executive Committee formed to guide the facilities process

Hand In Hand Fundraising Kickoff

Knights of Columbus property is acquired on Mimosa

Parking lot and new playground added for the School

Ground broken for new Primary School Building

Staff and Sisters switch Buildings

What is the current status of the St. Aloysius Master Plan?The Master Plan Feasibility Study was completed and presented to Parish Trustees, Executive Committee, Finance Council, and Pastoral Council on December 10, 2015. After receiving a very favorable report which utilized input and parishioner engagement, the decision has been made to embark on a Capital Campaign to complete the master plan.

Who has been included in the decision-making process?Every Parishioner was invited to give input through:

• 7 Listening Forums held in October 2015

• A Discovery Survey conducted and collected at all masses the weekend of October 24-25, 2015

• Feasibility Study one-on-one interviews conducted by our consultant with a sampling of parishioners

All of this input was considered by the parish leadership, which included our Parish Trustees, Executive Committee, Finance Council, and Pastoral Council. They overwhelmingly recommended to move forward with a Capital Campaign.

What is the financial health of the Parish?St. Aloysius is to be commended on the enduring success of its administrative, financial and stewardship efforts. Currently our parish is debt free. There is clear transparency of parish finance, and prudent decisions have allowed the parish to accrue $5,000,000 in savings. All parish stewardship and development activities are of high quality and are measured by involvement and engagement.

Capital Campaign Questions & Answers How much will I be asked to give to the Capital Campaign?After prayerful consideration each person or family will be asked to give a sacrificial gift to the Capital Campaign, which is in keeping with our commitment to true stewardship. No amount is too small, and all gifts are greatly appreciated. All amounts will remain confidential. All donors will be recognized regardless of the size of their gift. Any donor can decide to remain anonymous in donor list.

How will I benefit by contributing to the effort?As a member of the St. Aloysius family, your gift to the Capital Campaign will allow you to play a vital role in assuring that we embody the mission of the church. Your investment in the future of the parish will ensure your fulfillment of knowing that you have given back to God a grateful portion from the many gifts that you have received. Your gift will allow us to continue to advance the work of the 124 ministries of the parish, which provide needed services to our parish, as well as the larger community.

In what ways can I make a gift to the Capital Campaign?There are numerous ways to make your financial gift to a proposed Capital Campaign. The most common is a campaign pledge that can be paid over a three or five year period. The following are ways to give a gift to the Capital Campaign:

• Gift of Prayer

• Gift of Financial Offering

• Cash – One of the most popular ways to make a gift to St. Aloysius. Your gift can be in a lump sum or pledged over a period of time.

• Pledges – These donations are spread over a three or five year period with tax deductibility for each payment in

the year in which it is made. Payment schedules can be formulated with differing amounts from year to year to accommodate individual needs.

• Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds, and other Liquid Assets

• Matching Gifts

• Business Gifts

• Wills or Bequests

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

2000 - 2005

Many new ministries are established

St. Aloysius builds habitat house as part of the Hand In Hand Campaign

New Primary Building dedicated, space is renovated for a new school library

(2002) The Daughters of Jesus return home to Spain

Convent building renovated into music room and meeting space

Child Care Center expands into a temporary building

The Parish celebrates its Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary) with 2,387 families in the Parish

2005 - 2010

Cafeteria and First Floor Classrooms renovation and addition

New Ten Classroom building and New School Gym built

Renovated Old Gym

A Parish Endowment Fund with Baton Rouge Area Foundation

Purchased a new Rectory off Campus.

Child Care Center moves Preschool into old Rectory

School Administration Conference Room Building is completed (paid for by the School)

New Organ is gifted to the Parish

JULY 2011

Fr. Than Vu named the Fifth Pastor

2014

Master Planning Committee formed to work closely with leadership to plan for future

2015

John Bennett retires and Erin Candilora is named as Principal

Fr. Randy Cuevas is named as the sixth Pastor

MAY 2015

Ground is broken for the new Child Care Center

Capital Campaign Questions & Answers

CURRENT PROJECTSParish Hall Renovations

3 year rental for Parish Staff office spacePartial conversion of existing Parish Office

Demolition of old RectoryChild Care Center

Fencing & neighborhood friendly sidewalk

ESTIMATED COST$7,000,000

NEW PROJECT(Construction to Begin in 2016)

New Pastoral Services Center

ESTIMATED COST$3,000,000

FUTURE PROJECTS (Construction to Begin in 2017)

New Parish Life CenterNew Chapel

Plaza

ESTIMATED COST$7,000,000

Which Master Plan projects will be included in the Capital Campaign?

Estimated Total Cost to Complete the Master Plan Proposal $17,000,000

Parish Savings going to Child Care Center Building and New Pastoral Services Center Cost $5,000,000

Our Proposed Target for Capital Campaign $12,000,000

1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2016

400

650750

850

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

2,100

2,387

2,550

3,012

How much has our Parish grown over the years?

We as a Catholic family believe in growing families and supporting our parishioners and the community as they work and care for their children. Thirty years ago, understanding a great need, several parishioners purchased a 50 year old house to begin the St. Aloysius Child Care Center. From its humble beginnings it has grown into a vibrant ministry which cares for our children. The current structure and layout is not the best environment to meets our standards.

• New 22,000 sq ft St. Aloysius Child Care Center will allow us to increase enrollment

• A two year waiting list for this “home away from home”

• New building will increase enrollment from 122 to 180

• We are building on the safety and security of the center

• Additional room to house summer camp and possible after care program

Child Care Center

EAST ELEVATION WEST ELEVATION

NORTH ELEVATION SOUTH ELEVATION

Pastoral ServicesCenter

The Parish Administration Building was originally built in the 1960’s as a convent for the sisters. In 1986, it was converted to office space to accommodate our growing staff. Today the plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and structural components are all failing. We have a very active and vibrant parish community which needs a fully functioning facility to support and meet the needs of our parish.

New 11,930 square feet of space to serve:

• 3,000 Parish Families

• 124 active ministries of our parish

• Spiritual growth for the youth and adults

• Personal and marriage counseling

• Annulment counseling

• Family guidance

• Financial needs

• Warm and welcoming space to assist in meeting the needs of our parishioners

New Parish Life Center

We are a warm and welcoming community. This is evident by our incredible 124 parish ministries. The necessity for small and large meeting space is growing daily. This multidimensional center will cater to all different age groups. An easily accessible hall will facilitate community building events both internally and externally. It will provide an opportunity to enhance all of our ministry events.

Last year, our campus hosted 3,826 meetings, which is an average of 10.4 meeting per day. Many ministries currently have to meet off campus.

This is truly a building from which all would benefit.

• To be located on Mimosa Street

• Estimated to add approximately 14,500 square feet

• Current Parish Hall holds 300 people, New Parish Life Center largest room would accommodate 500 people and could subdivide into 2 smaller rooms.

• 3 meeting rooms of various sizes

• Current Knights of Columbus House to be replaced by additional parking

• Additional 50 parking spaces

• Additional storage for school and parish

• Indoor and outdoor kitchen

The current chapel was originally built for the sisters’ needs. There is a need for a new chapel to house smaller events and programs. It would create an intimate environment to accommodate Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, traditional devotionals, and sacred images and votive candles. A new central plaza for fellowship would provide a warmer welcome to our church.

• Area for Spiritual reflection

• Small weddings, retreats and prayer services

• Seating for 150 for daily mass and school class masses

• Stand alone building

• Increased green space by gardens and a courtyard

• New plaza would encourage gathering after mass

New Chapel & Plaza

A Message from our Co-Chairs

Frances & John Monroe

“Despite the fourteen years I am away, in Spain, it is astonishing how the parishioners keep me so close to them. Thanks to their loving communication that makes me think of St. Aloysius most of the time.

One of the greatest richness for me, is to see the parish and the school so integrated in such a way, that the parish is not closed in itself, but projected in the school as its mission. The parish, the family and the school, are mutually enriched from a common dynamic.

One can easily realize that God is the source of its life.”

From Sister Teresa

“St. Aloysius Church and School have been a major influence in the lives of our family. The friendships which we have made here have sustained us and made our lives more meaningful. We married in the ‘old’ church in 1964. We baptized our sons here in 1971 and 1973. Johnny joined the church in 2003, and we continue to be active in the St. Aloysius community; this is a place where people of faith strive to bring Christ’s message to others.

One example is the Christian life so beautifully portrayed by our Daughters of Jesus ‘sisters.’ Their dedication to the parish was an inspiration for many to continue

the work which they had begun. We have had the privilege of working with many parishioners throughout the years. We are happy to see the growth and development of St. Aloysius and to be a part of its future.”

Debra & John Bennettto join in the campaign knowing that it is vital to have everyone’s participation and support. This opportunity to come together as a family of faith strengthens even more the bond and sense of community for which we are all so proud!”

“Debra and I consider it an honor and privilege to accept the invitation to serve as a chair couple for the “Hand in Hand-Faith in Action” Capital Campaign. We recognize all the benefits our families have received as members of our parish. This campaign will clearly represent a significant challenge for our faith community; however, we are confident that all parishioners will rise to the occasion just as generations of St. Aloysius parishioners have done in the past. This is an opportunity to provide not only for our present needs but also for those of our children tomorrow.

We ask that you prayerfully consider how you will best be able

“We feel a strong connection to St. Aloysius which began 15 years ago when we were enrolled at LSU and visited for mass. As a young family, we are energized by the positive spirit of the campus — both church and school and the incredibly high level of parishioner involvement. St. Aloysius, to us, is so much more than our church and school. It is a respected cornerstone of our entire community. We are deeply grateful for all St. Aloysius has provided us, and we are forever indebted and humbled to share in an active role to shape its future.”

Carolina & Bryan Jones

Capital Campaign Leadership & Groupsc a m pa i g n l e a d e r s h i p

Fr. Randy Cuevas PastorFr. Joshua Johnson Parochial Vicar

c a m pa i g n c o - c h a i r s

John & Debra BennettJohn & Frances MonroeBryan & Carolina Jones

c a m pa i g n c a p t a i n s

John & Melanie BoyceDarryl & Erin Candilora

John & Aimee DawesVance & Deborah GibbsKenny & Dana Hodges

Chris & Kelly JonesPete & Virginia Martinez

Tom & Anne MeekRussell & Erin MoselyTuan & Allison Pham

Patrick & Rebecca Valluzzo

c a m pa i g n o f f i c e

Mary Dawson Campaign Director

Kristen Pasquier Campaign Assistant

c a m pa i g n c a b i n e t

Cathy Dardenne Director of Administration

Dan Gardiner Parish Trustee

Toni Kirby Master Plan Co-Chair,

Parish Trustee

Rolfe Miller Master Plan Co-Chair,

Past-Parish Trustee

Jeff Plauche Owner Representative for Project