St. Peter's Parish: We are now debt-free!

By the fall of 2024, St. Peter’s Parish was carrying a debt of around $5.2 million, the result of a major church renovation completed several years earlier. The loan required substantial monthly payments and, if it had continued on its regular schedule, could have remained with the parish for more than 20 years. This financial burden was limiting opportunities for ministry growth and missionary outreach. What initially appeared to be a long-term challenge became a remarkable chapter in the history of our parish as it prepared to celebrate its 50th anniversary the following year.

When Fr. Fabio presented the full weight of the debt to the parish community, a small group of parishioners began to examine with him the possibility of a Building Fund Campaign. This first moment of discernment helped them see that what had once seemed like a long-term burden was beginning to take shape as a shared challenge the community could face with faith, generosity, and a clear plan. In that sense, this initial effort reflected the spirit of Renewal: helping the parish look honestly at what was holding it back, strengthening shared responsibility, and freeing the community to focus more fully on its mission.
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​In October 2024, a Building Fund Campaign Committee was formed, bringing together professionals from different fields to guide the parish’s effort to eliminate the debt. From the beginning, the vision extended beyond fundraising. The goal was not only to reduce the debt but also to strengthen the bonds of community, increase engagement, and foster a greater sense of shared responsibility for the future of the parish.

During the planning stage, the campaign gradually developed a clear identity. The slogan “This Is My Church” was chosen to express personal stewardship and shared responsibility. Dedicated blue envelopes, promotional materials, donation stations, banners, and regular communications helped make the campaign visible throughout the parish.
The original objective was ambitious. Based on giving patterns and historical contributions, it appeared possible to eliminate the debt within approximately five years. Yet even before the campaign officially launched, an unexpected development changed everything.

An anonymous parishioner came forward with an extraordinary offer: every dollar donated toward the debt would be matched, up to $2.6 million. Suddenly, the amount the parish needed to raise was cut in half. What had initially seemed like a five-year journey now appeared achievable in a much shorter time. The anonymous donor proposed a one-year matching campaign, inviting the parish to respond with generosity, confidence and a shared commitment.

The campaign was launched in March 2025, and the first weekend of each month was designated as a Building Fund weekend, with a dedicated collection and campaign activities to promote awareness and encourage participation. Parishioners responded with remarkable generosity. Contributions arrived through many channels, including envelope donations, e-transfers, online giving, securities and shares, pre-authorized giving, Donation Stations with card payment machines, grocery card commissions, fundraising activities, and support from ministries.

Throughout the campaign, numerous fundraising initiatives were organized. These included a religious book sale, the sale of replicas of our parish Marian Grotto, a parish garage sale organized by the CWL and the Knights of Columbus, a Stampede Dinner and Dance, Taste of St. Peter’s, and other community events. While these activities generated financial support, they also served the broader purpose of bringing parishioners together, creating opportunities for fellowship, and helping the parish experience a stronger sense of community.

As the campaign progressed, another extraordinary opportunity emerged. Through the Diocese of Calgary’s Multiply the Hope, a matching initiative to help parishes focus more fully on Renewal, we received an additional $775,000 in matching support toward debt reduction. Combined with the anonymous donor’s commitment, every dollar given in the final stretch of the campaign became four dollars toward debt repayment. Parishioners embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm.

Behind the financial success was a clear pastoral vision: stewardship, generosity, and parish renewal were deeply connected. This vision shaped the campaign’s approach, so that fundraising was always integrated with parish life, fellowship, and the growth in communion among ministries and parishioners.

By Easter 2026, the goal that had once seemed audacious had become reality. On May 23, the Vigil of Pentecost, the parish celebrated this achievement with A Taste of St. Peter’s, a multicultural outdoor parish gathering attended by almost 500 parishioners. More than 90 families brought traditional food from 25 different countries. It was a moment of fellowship, cultural richness, and belonging, reflecting the sense of community that had been strengthened throughout the campaign.

The achievement was the result of many factors: the generosity of parishioners, the dedication of volunteers, the commitment of ministries, the support of the Diocese of Calgary, the extraordinary matching gift of an anonymous donor, and the coordinated work of the Building Fund Committee. Yet many parishioners also saw something deeper at work—a common purpose, the experience of walking together as a community, and a confidence that God was guiding the parish through this journey.

Written by St. Peter's Communications Team for Faithfully.