THE FUTURE OF EPIPHANY, THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH

Epiphany has launched Epiphany Forward, a three-year parish pledge campaign designed to secure the future of our church — not just as a building, but as a living, missionary community. Because that is what Epiphany truly is. But mission requires a strong foundation.

Our first and most urgent goal is to raise $1.5 million for critical repairs to our buildings, especially the brickwork that protects the very structure of this sacred home. We all love this church; it has been part of our lives and our story for generations. Yet like any home that has served many people for many years, it now needs serious care. We have also been given an extraordinary opportunity.

A few months ago, Austin Tupling, one of our own Epiphany School students, set up a GOFUNDME page to help raise money for the repair. A former parishioner was so moved by Austin’s faith that he has offered a $250,000 matching grant toward these repairs — but only if we can raise the first $500,000 ourselves. If we meet that challenge within this first year, we will immediately unlock $750,000 toward the work that must be done. So the question before us is simple: can we, as a parish family, come together to reach that first milestone?

Our second goal looks beyond the physical structure to the living heart of our parish life. Epiphany is about far more than bricks and mortar. We are building a vibrant, missionary parish rooted in worship, evangelization, discipleship, fellowship, and outreach — the very systems that have helped renew our parish through Divine Renovation. Your generosity will help expand outreach to those in need, build welcoming meeting spaces for community life, support retreats and faith formation, strengthen our worship events and music ministry, and invest in evangelization so that new people continue to encounter Christ here. In other words, your gift helps ensure that Epiphany—and the Catholic Church in New York City continues to grow as a place where faith is alive and transforming lives.

Our third goal is to establish long-term financial security for all of our ministries by building a culture of ongoing, recurring generosity. We need to adopt a modern version of the ancient Christian practice of tithing — giving regularly and intentionally in gratitude for God’s gifts. One of the simplest ways to do this is through automated recurring giving, which allows your support to continue steadily and faithfully without extra effort. This is how we move from simply maintaining what we have to confidently planning for the future.

Together, we can accomplish these goals. We currently have about 600 parishioners attending our weekend Masses. If each adult parishioner were able to give about $51 per week, we would meet our first major goal and secure the matching grant, and over the next three years raise the funds to ensure our future forward for the next generation. Of course, not everyone can give at that level. Some will give less, and some may be able to give more. What matters most is not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice and wholehearted participation.

So today we invite you to pray about your commitment, complete a pledge card, and take a step forward with our parish. We’ll give you a few minutes now to fill out the card. If you need a little time to think about your commitment, bring your pledge card back next week. During these next few weeks, there will be members of the Hospitality Team and the Pastoral Council in the Narthex after Mass to answer questions and help you sign up, including setting up recurring giving using Flocknotes. Once you are signed up, you don’t even have to think about it again. Thank you for your faith, your generosity, and your love for this parish — and thank you for helping move Epiphany Forward.