For it is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful. – Brother David Steindl-Rast
Did you know that Father John’s vision for our Life Center began well before our Capital Campaign to Build Our Future, Serve Our Past kicked off 2 ½ years ago? Prior to the Campaign, a team of leaders from across the Parish Family was brought together to understand and plan for such an endeavor. There was almost a year’s worth of effort put into creating this campaign. Before that, a team of clergy, staff, and one single volunteer spent another 2 years strategizing how to best implement Father John’s vision and convince the Diocese of Venice and Bishop Dewane that this was the future of the Catholic Church in Naples. That single individual volunteer, who has shepherded our Life Center through every iteration and dedicated his time and significant talent to this initiative is Joe Lichwalla.
Many of you may know Joe from both his leadership of the Men’s Club as well as his stewardship of the Life Center. I met him in my first meeting about the Life Center when it was only a basic floor plan drawing on a piece of paper that he had worked tirelessly to get the approval of the Diocese to build. Immediately, I was struck with his intelligence, easy-going personality, and clear experience in this realm. Both Father John and I have relied on Joe to develop and execute the campaign strategy that bore the fruits of the Parish Family almost a year ahead of schedule. It is due to Joe’s effective communication style that we were able to properly engage every Parish Family Member, from 5 to 105, with a positive message of the plans to build the future of the church with the Life Center and CYO/CAO Programs, as well as to take care of our past, with the continued renovations and renewal of the church and other campus areas.
Thank you, Joe, for your leadership, guidance, insights, dedication and support that has truly led our Parish Family into our new and renewed environment. We would not be where we are without you.
As we Build Our Future, Serve Our Past, we still need all the gifts, prayers, and support of our Parish Family to reach our Pinnacle Goals. If you have any questions, please contact Jean-Paul Boucher, at 239-566-8740 or email: [email protected].