In August, I announced that Immaculate Conception & St. Joseph Parish is participating in the Generation to Generation: Answer the Call campaign along with every parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago. This is our opportunity to strengthen our parish today while building a secure foundation for future generations.

We Reached Our Goal — and Kept Going

Our parish campaign began with a goal of $1,025,000. In the first stage — the 50/50 Zone — half of every pledge stayed here at ICSJ to address urgent needs, while the other half supported the Archdiocese. With that share, we committed to improvements at St. Joseph, upgrades at Immaculate Conception, and new support for parish ministries.

Incredibly, we met our goal — but the generosity did not stop. That carried us into the 80/20 Zone. With 80% of new funds staying here, we also committed to $200,000 for tuition assistance, $100,000 for technology upgrades, and $300,000 to strengthen ministries over the next five years.

Closing in on $2 Million: The Threshold of 100% Impact

And now, something truly remarkable: we have reached nearly $1.8 million in pledges. This puts us on the threshold of the 100% Parish Zone. Once we cross the $2 million mark, every new pledge will stay entirely here at ICSJ — building reserves for the future, expanding ministries, and laying a foundation that will support our parish for generations.

Now: Your Pledge Builds the Future

It may be tempting to think that because we passed our goal, the work is finished. But the truth is, only 8% of parishioners have pledged so far. The opportunity ahead of us is extraordinary.

Every five-year pledge, large or small, given with equal sacrifice, is a building block—strengthening our school, expanding ministries, and securing our future.

Imagine the strength of our Family of Families when everyone takes part. This is the moment to step forward with your gift and your commitment. Together, we can build something extraordinary — a parish strong enough to serve today and secure enough to thrive for generations.

A remarkable milestone—an even greater opportunity

Each new pledge brings us closer to the 100% Parish Zone, where every dollar stays at ICSJ: building reserves, expanding ministries, and preparing our parish for generations to come.

With nearly $1.8 million pledged, the pledge progress thermometer shows how close we are to reaching the $2 million milestone — the gateway to the 100% Parish Zone. The pie chart shown here highlights the tremendous opportunity waiting to be unlocked, with more than 90% of parish households yet to pledge.

This milestone was made possible by the extraordinary generosity of the families who have already pledged. Their commitment has carried us this far. 

Now the invitation is open to every household. Whatever you can commit over five years will make a difference. By joining in, we can widen the circle of generosity, deepen parish life, and secure a strong foundation for the next generation.