Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and School

THE CHALLENGE

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, is a parish marked by deep devotion, a strong commitment to Catholic education and a proven record of stewardship. Following the success of its Community of Hope Capital Campaign which eliminated debt, improved parish and school facilities and positioned the parish for future growth, the community once again found itself at an important moment. As the parish celebrated the 75^th anniversary of the church dedication, the physical space that had faithfully served generations began to show its age, with worn pews, outdated systems and a worship environment in need of renewal. At the same time, the parish was called to support a major diocesan effort to strengthen Catholic education for a local Catholic high school. Balancing these priorities presented a challenge.

THE VISION

Church leadership embraced a vision rooted in forward-thinking stewardship. Inviting parishioners to respond in love and sacrificial offering, key priorities for the campaign included:

• Supporting Catholic education through a significant contribution to the local Catholic high school’s expansion and improvements.
• Renewing and restoring the church interior to reflect beauty and reverence.
• Improving lighting, sound, seating and sacred art in the sanctuary.
• Completing renovations in phases through a tiered plan, allowing progress as funds are secured.

THE SOLUTION

Blessed Sacrament opted to partner with the Steier Group for a second campaign, building on the momentum and trust established in its previous success. With a clear case for support and a spiritually grounded message of gratitude and sacrifice, the campaign unified parishioners around a shared purpose: to honor the past while securing the future. The structured, tiered approach of the His House and Our Future Capital Campaign allowed the parish to address the most urgent needs first while maintaining flexibility for additional enhancements as funding allowed. Through strong leadership, intentional communication and broad participation, the parish once again responded with faith and generosity, successfully raising more than $1.6 million. Previously in 2021, a campaign to reduce debt and address maintenance around campus raised more than $1.9 million.