St. George Parish Unites in Faith and Fundraising for New Parish Center and Adoration Chapel

Renowned musical performer and North Idaho Catholic Chris James Gootherts performed a benefit concert for the St. George building fund on Sept. 19 at St. Pius X Parish in Coeur d’ Alene. The money will help St. George Parish finish its expansion project. Gootherts leads church music at Mass at three area parishes twice a month. (Courtesy photo/Trinity Music, LLC)

By Lisa Ormond

ICR North Idaho Correspondent

A flurry of special fundraisers over the past five months has kept St. George Parish’s coffers in Post Falls in good health, pushing construction of the new Parish Center and Adoration Chapel closer to reality.

And the momentum hasn’t shown signs of slowing anytime soon, that is, if the church body has anything to say about it.

“The church members are pouring their hearts, souls and devotion into getting enough funds to finish the new Parish Center and Adoration Chapel,” Father Sleeva Madanu told the Idaho Catholic Register (ICR), adding that he is sure that this hope will not lead to disappointment.

“For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. This love is evident in all the volunteers who keep coming up with the fundraising ideas and the hours they are working to make the events successful,” he said.

These fundraisers have kept the dirt moving, the workers on site and the overall construction moving forward with true faith and purposeful determination.

“The entire parish is also helping us succeed in our goal with prayers and participating in each of the fundraisers,” Father Sleeva said. “We are such a blessed community.”

Project status update

For over four years, St. George Parish has been planning, designing, fundraising for, and building their multi-million dollar, 14,000-square-foot construction project. The community’s capital campaign, called “Making a Place to Gather and Grow,” has been a testament and steadfast anchor in moving toward their goal.

Approximately 75% of the build is completed, which represents a vital investment in their faith and the future. It includes a gathering hall with seating for approximately 255, six classrooms, multiple parish offices, a large kitchen for ministries and a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week  Adoration Chapel for prayer, peaceful contemplation and spiritual connection.

“It will allow our parish to expand our ministries, attract young families and offer more space to learn about our Catholic heritage and deepen our faith,” Father Sleeva said.

The exterior shells of the buildings are complete, and efforts are focused on completing all outside work before winter. The Parish Center’s main meeting room upstairs, called the Great Hall, is sheet-rocked, taped and textured, with work on overhead fire sprinkler suppression just beginning, and painting is scheduled to take place in three weeks.

“If we can get sufficient funds to continue the planned building, it’s possible we could occupy the new Parish Center the first week of February,” said parishioner and volunteer construction Project Manager Bob Ellis. “The kitchen won’t be done, but we will raise money for those costs after the completion of the rest of the hall work.”

Going above and beyond

With holy determination and zeal for their quest, St. George’s parish community hasn’t paused a minute to raise the monies they need, creating nonstop fundraisers as outgrowths of their dedication and devotion.

In July, the church body was laser-focused on a two-day rummage sale, the church’s united efforts bringing in much-needed dollars at a critical, good-weather period to sustain building.

St. George member Roxann Zohner served as the event coordinator.

“We came together as a church family and it was an enormous success,” she said. “Thank you to everyone for being the hands and hearts of Jesus.”

Zohner expressed gratitude for the 40 parish volunteers who came forward for setup, sales and tear-down.

“So many people stepped up and wanted to help out,” she said.

And the donations overflowed the church parking lot.

“We received triple the number of items than ever before. I kept running out of tables to put all the stuff!” Zohner said. “It is such a blessing to be a member of this parish.”

The future St. George Parish Center and Adoration Chapel pictured on Aug. 23. If donations continue to come in and the weather cooperates, classes and meetings could start as early as January of next year.  (ICR Photo/Lisa Ormond) 

Charity from across the country

While endless energy, talents and time among its own church members keep the St. George center build afloat, word apparently has spread to at least one other Catholic community across the country about their need—and it is bearing fruit.

Recently, St. George Church received an unexpected delivery at its office: a box of encouraging notes, rolled coins, loose change and other sizable donations from a rural community in Minnesota that heard about the Post Falls church’s construction project and “just wanted to help,” one letter stated.

“It was such a blessing to have this package of kindness and generosity suddenly arrive at our doorstep from people who don’t even know us,” Father Sleeva said.

It is still somewhat of a mystery exactly how this donation came about, but it is believed that someone from the Post Falls parish community traveled to this rural part of the country and shared the church’s story of need.

The donations included monies from the sale of an old farm tractor at auction, sweet corn sales grown on a farmer’s land, a St. Benedict Monastery women’s group, a local teen’s babysitting earnings and more.

“We are one Catholic family, and we need to recognize that we need to lift one another up when the road gets tough through prayer and unity,” Father Sleeva reminded.

Home-cooked Indian feast attracts donors

Under the inspirational guidance and direction of Father Sleeva, many hands joined together to offer a unique fundraising culinary experience—a multi-course, authentic Indian banquet—to raise money for St. George’s Parish Hall building fund over the summer.

Two feasts were offered in early June and on Aug. 27. Both sold out quickly and served 30 and 40 donor guests, respectively.

“Each dinner was a beautiful event that showcased the generosity of our Catholic community. Plus, Father is quite the chef,” commented parishioner Susan Jacobson. Susan, along with her husband Ron, sponsored and hosted both feasts at their Post Falls home in their outside garden area.

“It was our pleasure to be able to support these important church events,” Susan said. “It offered us the opportunity to socialize, and it was a special time spent discussing our precious Catholic faith.”

The culinary dining experience showcased delectable, legendary Indian dishes such as lemon rice, raita (yogurt with onions), lentil vegetable soup, butter lamb curry, chicken biryani, tandoori chicken, potatoes and pea curry, and also included wine, drinks and desserts made by the Jacobsons.

All the food was eaten up and thoroughly enjoyed by those who came.

“I’m extremely happy it was gone!” said Father Sleeva. “I do taste-test the dishes when making them, but I don’t eat any food at the event. I like to remind everyone the spices are intended to activate your taste buds, and the yogurt can help cut the heat.”

Parishioner Bill Reindel said he “liked all” of the Indian dishes.

“This is great. I didn’t want any yogurt though,” he smiled.

“It’s fresh and good, and you can tell everything here is made with love and care,” commented St. George parishioner Serena Williams.

St. George’s Father Sleeva Madanu and parish member Wayne Woodard relax and partake in sweet desserts after a long day of meal preparation at the Indian Feast fundraiser held on. (ICR Photo/Lisa Ormond)

Benefit piano concert offered

A music concert was also in the mix of St. George’s fundraisers. Renowned musical performer and St. George parish member Chris James Gootherts brought the Coeur d’Alene region his blend of humor, storytelling and musical talents to raise money for the St. George building fund.

Hundreds of guests attended his solo evening show on Sept. 19 at St. Pius X (host church), where he entertained audiences of all ages. Ticket proceeds were donated by Gootherts, who twice a month lead music ensembles at three Catholic parishes in the area.

Memorial bricks and tiles for sale

The newest St. George fundraiser, called “Bricks to Honor Our Loved Ones,” was launched early this month by the church’s fundraising committee.

“This is a unique opportunity to leave a lasting mark on our parish’s sacred spaces,” said Debbie Ellis, St. George’s council chair. “You will be able to purchase an engraved brick and/or tile, a symbol of faith, family or a loved one’s memory, which will become a permanent part of the church’s story.”

Anyone can purchase and then choose the personal inscription. Bricks will be displayed in the outside grotto area, and tiles will adorn the church’s new entryway. Prices range from $350 (brick), $450 (tile) or $700 for both. Please contact St. George’s parish if interested.

The two-day St. George Rummage sale at the end of July on church property raised thousands of dollars for the New Parish Center and Adoration Chapel building fund. (ICR photo/Lisa Ormond)

Firm faith and belief leading the way

United in God and grounded in prayer and a true belief in the Lord’s mercy and ability to deliver their finished hall and chapel, St. George has its eyes looking upward with much trust and gratitude for the blessings and graces offered to their community so far.

Purposeful determination among its members continues while giving God praise and glory.

“It’s about believing in each other and the greatness that we have as a community and maintaining that belief in the Lord and each other no matter what,” Father Sleeva noted.

Seeking support from the community

Donations and prayers are still being humbly requested from local and statewide Catholics who wish to help St. George’s parish reach their goal.

“Any donation can make a real difference, and we’d be most grateful,” Father Sleeva said. “Thank you for your generosity to assist us to serve faithfully as disciples.”

To donate to the St. George New Parish Center and Adoration Chapel Fund, checks can be mailed to St. George Catholic Church, P.O. Box 10, Post Falls, ID 83877, or online through their website at www.stgeorgesidaho.com.