Chapter 7 :: 2003-2007

Father Jack McClure, C.PP.S., became the seventh pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo in July 2003. Father McClure is the only priest to serve on the campus on two different occasions, first as associate pastor under Father Bauman and then from 2003-07 as Pastor of Saint Charles. He was to be the last priest from the Missionaries of Precious Blood to serve the parish, with the parish transitioning back to diocesan priests after he departed in 2007. Father McClure was responsible for preparing for this transition as well as addressing the debt incurred by the parish with the 2001 renovations and the repair of aging buildings on the campus.

To address the issue of retiring the debt and provide funding for much-needed campus building repairs, Father McClure established the “Together at Table / Together in Giving” campaign. This was led by the Opportunity Committee, formed with members from the Finance Council and Parish Council as well as other ministries, and guided by Pastoral Associate, Katherine DeBacker. This program included two components – the first component was to raise funds to retire the debt; the second was to increase stewardship, build up the endowment, reduce dependence on fundraisers, encourage planned giving, provide funding for maintenance projects for aging facilities, create a maintenance reserve and resources to sustain and develop parish ministries. Even with generous contributions from 600 parish families, the program raised about half the funds necessary to pay off the debt. The diocese required the parish to establish a repayment plan and budget cuts were necessary to put the parish on a path toward paying off the debt.

While progress was made on debt reduction, repair and maintenance of aging facilities across the campus was again deferred, including the school roof ($80,000), replacement of school windows ($200,000), replacement of school exterior door ($20,000), school classroom carpet ($25,000), new stage floor ($2,500), school electricity upgrade ($40,000), school plumbing upgrade ($5,000), and parish office overhangs ($10,000). Many of these projects were completed in 2017-20; a few are on the schedule to be completed in 2022.

This was a period that saw a number of firsts. Scrip cards, prepaid grocery/retail cards that paid a % back to the parish, were introduced as a means to raise money to support the school. The program was renamed “Stephanie Cards” in honor of Stephanie Whistler, parishioner, parent, and president of the PTO, who died in January 2006. The first Chili Cook-off and first Golf Tournament were held in 2004 and became annual fundraisers for a few years.

There were adjustments to the liturgy during this time including replacement of glass communion vessels with precious metal vessels in 2005, as directed by the Diocese. Personal assistive hearing devices were made available to parishioners in 2006. First Communion for children was celebrated at one of the regularly scheduled parish Masses during the Easter season, enabling the parish to participate in the celebrations more fully. Parents could choose the Mass that worked best for their family. The weekly Mass schedule was adjusted, eliminating the Saturday morning and Sunday evening Masses.

In the area of faith formation, “Together in Faith“ was established for intergenerational religious education, beginning in the fall of 2006, replacing the School of Religion and many Adult Faith Formation classes. This program involved monthly meetings which were offered at three different times each month to accommodate parishioners’ schedules. Each 3-hour session included a meal, opening prayer and introduction of the topic, age-appropriate discussion and activity breakouts, regathering to share insights across age groups, closing prayer, and take-home packets. These, as well as many other ministries and events flourished through this period.

During Father McClure’s pastorate, there were significant changes in diocesan leadership. In May 2005, Bishop Raymond Boland retired and Bishop Robert Finn, coadjutor bishop, became the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Kanas City-Saint Joseph. In 2004, the parish mourned the loss of two beloved leaders. Former Associate Pastor Father Paul Sattler, C.PP.S., died August 2, 2004, and Saint Charles’ second pastor, Father James Lyons, died December 24, 2004.

Father McClure provided open communication, structure, and leadership to address the debt, initiated a focus on financial stewardship necessary to build a strong parish, and strengthened worship and ministries based on the needs of parishioners. With his departure in 2007, the parish transitioned to the leadership of diocesan priests.