Bishop Ricard blesses St. Sylvester's campaign

Submitted Photo Father John F. Kelly, Julianne Semmes, David K.Tebo, Bishop John H. Ricard, Oliver Semmes and "Chick" Alberghini celebrate the blessing of the Capital Campaign.

The fundraising campaign kick-off reception was recently held at St. Sylvester Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze. Bishop John H. Ricard gave opening and closing prayers in addition to a blessing on the realization of planning and designs to build a new church.

Father John F. Kelly, pastor of St. Sylvester is guiding the parish through this growth process. "Chick" Alberghini is the chairperson of the Building Campaign while Oliver and Julianne Semmes serve as cochairpersons of the Capital Campaign.

The new church will be built adjacent to the current parish center located at 6464 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze. The new complex will consist of the church, offices, the current parish center, that will then be used for church and community functions, and finally a multi purpose building which will contain classrooms, meeting rooms and a multi-faceted media center.

The building project will cost approximately 6.5 million dollars. The sale of property in addition to parish savings has already brought in half of the required amount. The remaining three million dollars will be raised by parishioner's faith promise pledges. The Capital Campaign slogan is "Pray, Build, Celebrate Together". St. Sylvester hopes to break ground this spring.

Over three hundred parishioners attended the reception that featured speaker David K. Tebo, Master of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus for the Florida Assembly. Mr. Tebo has previously served as the youngest member of the Florida State Council in the position of State Deputy, responsible for 42,000 members. Music was provided by Abes's Group and refreshments served by the "Golden Girls". Games and activities were also available for the youth.

Anyone wishing to make a tax deductible contribution may contact Mark Burson, Parish Administrator at 939-3020.