Fr. Brendan,
Presbytery, Harbour Rd.,
Kilbeggan,
Co. Westmeath

Renovation of St. James’ Church
The Contract for the Renovation of St. James’ Church has been awarded to Michael Ennis, Ballinderry Developments, Tullamore Road, Kilbeggan. There were five tenders.
It is hoped to start the renovation on the 8th of May. This is a truly historic moment in our Parish. Over the past year we have been working on getting the finances together to start the work.
Grant: €85,000. The SEAI approved grant aid of €85,000 towards the energy saving elements of the renovation. All our efforts to gain the grant have paid off well and have made a great saving for the parish.
Savings: €400,000 in the Bank.
Loans: €600,000. We received a low interest long-term loan from the Bishop and Diocese for €200,000 and a loan of €400,000 from Clann Credo a voluntary organisation founded by the Presentation Sisters who provide community loan finance at affordable interest and repayment rates.
Total of savings and loans : €1,085,000.
Cost of Renovation is about : €1,000,000
Savings and grant: €485,000 which is great start to the project.
Our Loan : We hope, based on our income over expenditure for the past three years, and using the grant we will have repaid over €100,000 to Clann Credo, at the end of this year.
The End Line: Starting January 2019 our loan will be less than €500,000. We will have fifteen years to pay this and the accumulated interest. The sooner we have it paid the less interest we will pay.
How do we hope to raise the funds in the coming years?
Gifts from inside the Parish: People have been very generous in giving gifts over the past few years since the renovation of the church has been mentioned. To all who have given gifts I wish them all sincere thanks. I called to some houses recently and many pledged gifts. This week we received €13,500 in gifts. If families who have the means could give gifts it would be a great boost and lower borrowings.
The Renovation Fund Envelopes and the Plate Collections are the main source of income to the parish. The generosity of people to these collections is the backbone of all our fundraising. If people are unable to give a gift, maybe they will be able to increase their regular donations as suits their means.
Gifts from outside the Parish: If there are members of your family living outside the parish maybe you could ask them to give a gift to the Renovation Fund.
Company Sponsorship: We will also be contacting companies who have connections with our Parish seeking contributions to the Renovation Fund.
Fundraising Events: We will be holding events like the very successful Country Music Gala Night which we had in the Church a few weeks ago which raised €7,600
We hope to establish a “Roll of Thanksgiving” with the names of all who contribute in any way, which will be placed permanently in the floor under the Altar. All the names and contributions will be confidential, and Masses will be offered for those on the “Roll of Thanksgiving”.
The people of the Parish always wanted to have a beautiful church again. This is the best opportunity for that dream to be fulfilled. The Parish Centre has added greately to the parish and we will be able to use it while the Church is being renovated. Like the Centre all our parishioners will be really proud the renovated church. It will be beautiful for all celebrations from Baptisms, Weddings, First Communions, Confirmations, Funerals and a place where people can come in the peace and quiet to pray and experience the presence of our Loving God.