Fr. Simon's Letter - February 9, 2025

There is nothing that says ‘Queen of All Saints Parish Community’ more than our coming together as one to worship in the basilica; a close second is to gather for a special event on our beautiful field. We use the lawn for outdoor Masses, barbecues, Homecomings, Ravinia nights, football and soccer games—and of course, the gala night for our one and only fundraiser, the UPP, our United Parish Program.
 
The pandemic put a lot of our long-time event vendors out of business, and finding new vendors to provide the services we needed to host the event on the field was both difficult and expensive. We decided to move the gala off-site for a few years; despite the change in location, the events were just as financially successful as in the past. However, we realized that there is now a new generation that has not experienced the sense of excitement and community of celebrating under the tent in the shadows of one of the most beautiful churches in Chicago. We also understand that the primary goal of UPP is for the community to come together and celebrate us. We gather as one under a majestic white tent, on a sprawling green field, to celebrate the spirit of community that binds us together. We unite to give thanks to God for bringing us together as one family; to remember and thank all those generous benefactors who have sustained this great parish in the past; and to thank those who continue to support it in the present as we raise funds to support the many ministries and activities of the parish that are essential to our vitality for generations to come. 
 
As I often say to those who have graciously volunteered to chair the event, “Let people have fun, and money will come.” I am happy to announce that under the leadership of Kristin Henry and Katie Mackenzie, and their co-chairs Katie Conarchy and Liz Piper, we are bringing the UPP home: our gala event will be on Friday May 16, 2025 on the Queen of All Saints Field.
 
This weekend we kick-off the UPP 2025 season with our theme of “Building Our Tomorrow.” Our goal this year is to raise $275,000 in order to be able to continue to support our parish activities. That’s a lot of money, but we can do it with the participation and support of every single family in the parish. There are many ways to support the UPP and we hope to get off to a strong start. Please pick up a UPP booklet in the basilica when you get your bulletin this weekend.
 
Our main sources for fundraising come from our raffle, sponsors and auction. This weekend raffle tickets go on sale, and our first early bird drawing will be next Friday, February 21. Buy your raffle tickets “early and often” to be eligible for the five $500 early bird prizes. Purchase your tickets online or pick up an envelope of raffle tickets in the back of the basilica. Each raffle ticket costs just thirty dollars. If you buy a pack of ten tickets, you will be entered for a special prize of one thousand dollars.
 
The raffle ticket sales help us raise a third of our total fundraising goal. To achieve this goal, we need to sell 3,500 raffle tickets. If we sell 3,500 tickets, another prize of $2,500 will be added and if we do better and sell 110% of our goal, another prize of $2,500 dollars will be added. With so many opportunities to win, it should be hard to resist buying your tickets now! 
 
Tickets to the gala are now on sale. Since we decided to bring the event home, prices for  tickets to the gala have increased a bit to cover the cost of hosting an event of this magnitude. Gala tickets can be purchased online at a discounted rate before March 17, so hurry and reserve your seat under the tent.
 
I appeal to every family in the parish – we have 2,900 families – to participate and support the UPP. There are many ways to participate other than simply buying a ticket and attending the gala. You could be a sponsor, take out an advertisement in the event booklet, offer an item for auction, buy raffle additional tickets, or help one of the many committees preparing for the event; you can even donate online. I count on your support to “Build Our Tomorrow” together.
 
Blessings!!
 
- Fr. Simon