St. Frederic is a Catholic Christian Community that works and prays together to deepen our love of God and to share that love by ministering to each other and the extended community in holiness and justice.
Peace be with You.
As you know from the information we gave you some few weeks ago, St. Frederic’s is in the process of taking care of repairing our Sanctuary and other buildings on our property.
I formed a Fundraising Committee who will plan and work with you toward this goal.
As you know we are all called to become mature disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ calls all of us to become everyday stewards and serve his kingdom. He invites us to be prayerful. Without prayer it is impossible to live our faith well. He invites us to be gracious for all the gifts we receive from Him. At the same time He invites us to commit ourselves to carry our cross and follow Him. (Matt.: 19)
In our committee after prayerful reflection, we came up with the need to raise $300,000 dollars. This will be done in parishioners making a pledge for three years. We also came up with a pledge card with some suggested amounts, weekly or monthly. Each one can generously choose from what the Lord has provided. Jesus told us that with faith everything is possible. It is faith which gave life back to the official’s daughter. (See Mark 5: 35-42).
Remember also Jesus told us he is the VINE and we are the branches. Yes we are the people called to fix his church and he will be with us to bring this work to it’s completion .
Trust in God. Just as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes for those who followed Him, he will multiply your donations.
May God bless you and your family.
Prayerfully,
Fr. Nicolaus Marandu , Pastor
From its origin as a pioneer mission Church 120 years ago, St. Frederic Catholic Church has been an active part of this community. The original Church was built in 1921. Population in the region grew and in 1928 a parochial school was established followed by over thirty years of growth in the community during which a convent and a meeting hall with gymnasium and kitchen were added. In the late 1960’s growth stalled and financial pressure forced the elimination of 7th and 8th grades and the closure of the entire school in 1974. In 1982 the original Church, Rectory and classrooms were demolished to make room for a new church completed in 1983. Since then local employment has been cut by the closure of a nuclear power plant and elimination of wood products manufacturing jobs which had been the life blood of the local economy for many years. These and other factors led to a membership decline of 50% since the mid-1980’s although the population is now stable. Over the past 25 years St. Frederic has become a richly diverse community with a significant Hispanic population and influences from Vietnamese, Filipino, Native American, African, and other cultures.
St. Frederic Catholic Church serves St. Helens and the culturally diverse surrounding community. Our Pastoral priorities include divine worship, catechesis and faith formation, young adult ministry, vocations, marriage and family life, and works of mercy. Outreach activities include an active St. Vincent de Paul with food pantry and vouchers for gasoline, clothing and utilities for the needy and homeless. We are supporters of the Elks Bunker, a veterans assistance organization headquartered on church property. Our Buccini Hall serves our parish functions including: Christmas Bazaar, funeral lunches, a Thanksgiving dinner for parishioners, Quinceaneras, baby showers, and weddings. The hall is also a popular venue for other community events including fundraisers for veterans and other groups. The St. Frederic Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch, a two-day indoor and outdoor festival of fall family activities is a major fundraiser and a significant opportunity for St. Frederic Catholic Church to interact with the broader community.
Maintenance exerts a growing demand on our budget. While analysis of facilities and a strategic plan is underway our maintenance resources are being directed to the most essential facilities and the most pressing needs. The highest priority among our most pressing needs is to revitalize our church Sanctuary. This project will transform the existing Sanctuary with the addition of a tabernacle and a crucifix framed by windows above the Altar, replace the deteriorating west exterior wall, replace defective windows above the Altar, improve the baptismal space and add numerous other improvements. This project, not to exceed $150,000, will transform the interior space of our church. Other high priority projects include the remodel of our primary classroom, replace the north exterior church wall, replace the kitchen floor in the Parish Center, replace the roof on the old Rectory and Convent, and brighten and sound dampen the interior of Buccini Hall. The total of these and other identified projects is approximately $150,000.
“The goal is to raise $300,000 within three years aimed at addressing these most pressing needs of the parish.”