We celebrated our 125th Anniversary Mass
on Sunday, June 18, 2023! Thank you to all who celebrate with us!
The year 2023 will see Sacred Heart Parish celebrate its 125th Anniversary. This quasquicentennial anniversary will be a momentous occasion for our parish and for the community, culminating in a very special Mass on June 18, 2023, near the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Sacred Heart Parish is in a time of transition and renewal. Demographics, economics, and finances are among the many reasons some parishes close their doors. Yet Sacred Heart still stands, soaring magnificently over 5th Avenue in Rock Island as it has for so many years.
Our long history is owed to our parishioners, who have sacrificed so much over the years in time, talent, and treasure.
What has been done quietly behind the scenes in anticipation of this great anniversary we are now ready to share with our parishioners. We had hoped to announce the launch of a special 125th Anniversary Campaign at the beginning of 2020, but the onset of Covid-19 disrupted those plans. Instead, we had to quietly do a “soft launch” of our efforts to prepare our grand old parish for its big anniversary in 2023.
It is our goal to raise $325,000 for our 125th Anniversary Campaign. The generosity of the people of Sacred Heart is legendary and formidable. With your support, we will ensure that Sacred Heart Parish will continue to be the home for future generations as the place where our faith is shared and the joys of our lives are celebrated. Our goal is to have 100% participation from our parish families in a commitment to our 125th Anniversary Campaign. The seeds of our success have already been planted, and the work is already underway.
Please join us and be part of this historic day, as we raise #325ForOur125.
125th Anniversary Campaign Goals
2020
NORTH ENTRANCE STAIRS - $70,000 - COMPLETE!
For more than 50 years, a wall and ramp hid the original north entrance steps to Sacred Heart. We are currently restoring the original look of the north entrance, including new stone, hand railings, and cement work. A dedication opportunity for our 5th Avenue vestibule & north entrance is currently available.
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS PHASE IIIA (WEST) - $35,000 - COMPLETE!
It was no secret that our historic stained glass windows were in need of restoration and protection. They had not been worked on since the 1970’s when plexiglass coverings were put over the windows. This work eventually led to corrosion of the leading on the windows and sagging and bowing of some windows, not to the mention the hidden and dirty look of the windows from the outside. Phase IIIA has seen work done to some of our west windows from the St. Joseph window through the Sacred Heart window. This work has already been sponsored in full.
TOTAL 2020 Investment in Sacred Heart: $105,000
2021
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS PHASE IIIB (WEST) - $35,000 - COMPLETE!
Restoration and protection of our historic stained glass windows. Phase IIIB will see work done to our remaining west-facing windows from the Sacred Heart window through the winders in the west tower, facing west. This work has already been sponsored in full.
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS PHASE IV (EAST) - $33,750 - COMPLETE!
Restoration and protection of our historic stained glass windows. Phase IV will see work done to our remaining east-facing windows from the windows above the doors leading to the Fr. Anthony vestibule through all east windows in the sacristy. This includes crucial lighting work which will be done to restore the look of the windows above the vestibule doors and the Ascension window which are currently blackened out due to the placement of the vestibule. Costs reflect 2020 bids. Prices will increase each year by about 10%.
TOTAL Investment in Sacred Heart: $68,750
2022
NEW ROOF - $235,000 - COMPLETE!
After many years, the roof of Sacred Heart must be replaced in full, including all custom metal work that wraps around the edges of the roof line.
TOTAL 2022 Investment in Sacred Heart: $235,000
2023
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS PHASE V (NORTH) - $43,000 COMPLETE!
The final phase of the restoration and protection of our historic stained glass windows will see the completion of all windows on our north side.
TOTAL 2023 Investment in Sacred Heart: $43,000
If you have any questions you’d like to ask before committing to the campaign, please reach out to campaign co-chairs Chris Mandle or Tim Smith. We welcome your questions and appreciate your dedication in advance.
FR. WITOLD ADAMCZYK, OFM CONV.
Pastor
CHRIS MANDLE
Parish Trustee, Co-Chair
TIM SMITH
Parish Trustee, Co-Chair
Parish Finance Council:
MIKE CREGER ALYSSA LEONE JOHN PETERS
LEN SPINDEL LUKE VANLANDEGEN JEFF ZEGLIN
“Sacred Heart will stand in beauty and durability second to none among
Rock Island’s institutions of worship.”
125th Anniversary Capital Campaign Online Form:
(*Online payments can be made here. Please designate funds to the Property Improvement Fund).
Dedicated a stained glass window in your family name.
As you know, our parish has been busy restoring and protecting our historic stained glass windows in phases over the past three years. This work is ongoing. We are now opening sponsorship of all remaining windows on a first come, first served basis as part of our 125th Anniversary Capital Campaign. The following windows are now available for immediate sponsorship:
St. Cecilia/Rose Window: $15,000
Harp Window (left of organ): $3,500
Alpha Window (left of organ): $3,000
Omega Window (right of organ): $3,000
Music Window (right of organ): $3,500
West Tower Base Window (West): $3,500
West Tower Base Window (Altar Servers Room): $3,500
West Tower Thin Window 1: $2,500
West Tower Thin Window 2: $2,500
East Tower Base Window (Reconciliation Room): $3,500
East Tower Thin Window 1: $2,500
East Tower Thin Window 2: $2,500
If interested in sponsoring one of the above windows please contact Chris Mandle at (309) 738-5967 or chrismandle@gmail.com.