Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ

When I was chosen as Pastor for your parish, I was humbled with the awesome responsibility, but blessed and given hope by the warm welcome and support I received from so many of you. It has been a pleasure and joy in serving our faith family for nearly nine years as your Pastor.

Together we have met many challenges. One of them took place shortly after my arrival when we launched the capital campaign “More than Bricks and Mortar,” which began in 2001- to meet a number of the needs and overcome the long neglect of some of our buildings. The generosity of over 700 families helped us achieve a part of needed major improvements. Those contributions have yielded great results and we are proud of the achievements. Since that time God has blessed us with a parish that has more than doubled in size with over 3,500 registered families that seek to make St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and School their faith home. Our parish is now the largest in the diocese.

Our richness is the diversity and welcome expressed by all who choose to be a part of our faith family. In 2007, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops chose our parish as one of five in the nation that reflects a mission of unity. We are blessed, for we are a microcosm of the world seeking ways to live in unity and peace—a great example to all parishes. Being a part of this faith family is sacred because God, in His providence, unites us and challenges us to live the gospel values of Christ in all that we do.

Due to our tremendous growth, 18 months ago I formed a new Five Year Planning Council in order to determine the present condition of our buildings, look for ways to help meet our growing requirements and develop a master plan for our future well-being. We met with engineers, architects and construction firms and received survey input from most of our ministries, organizations, and our school families to develop our vision and express our needs in present buildings along with potential new ones. Our work also included lots of prayers turning to God’s guidance through the Holy Spirit in Christ.

We are pleased to present the results of this sacred process as we continue Building Faith and Future at St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish—152 years of ministry and service in Christ. These capital projects will help us to accomplish what many of you have said is long overdue: the renewal of our buildings and grounds for better use, and more importantly, providing better ways to continue the spiritual vitality and unity of our faith family that Christ has gathered.

We will conduct a campaign of three building phases over the next seven years to raise approximately $10,000,000. While that number may be daunting at first glance; I believe God will guide us to meet our goals. We are also meeting with Valley vintners and wineries and other funders outside the parish as these programs will affect our entire county.

Building Faith and Future will help us honor our sacred legacy as the cornerstone of faith in the Napa Valley. As we celebrate our history, true stewardship means that we care for the future and begin to create it today. The following information will help guide you through prayerful discernment of your sacrificial giving and participation. On behalf of Father Francisco and myself, I offer you our prayers, dedication to the Campaign, and all that we can do as spiritual guides in our journey of Building Faith and Future!

St. John the Baptist pray for us… Our Lady of Guadalupe unite us in your love!

Blessings in Christ


Fr. Gordon Kalil, Pastor