Adopt-A-Pipe
As news spreads and excitement over the new Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy Millennium
Organ escalates, parishioners and friends of the Cathedral have begun to ask,
"How can I help; how might I be a part of this piece of Cathedral history?"
With $53,000 yet to be raised towards our $800,000 goal, we looked around the country
at other churches who had undertaken similar organ projects in the past few years
and asked how they were able to include their parish community in such a grand
historical project. We chose to copy a simple program which originated at St. Patrick's
Cathedral in New York City and ultimately brought together their parishioners, tourists
and guests in enthusiastic support - The Adopt-A-Pipe program.
The Adopt-A-Pipe program for the Millennium Organ is an easy way for St. James parishioners
to help the Cathedral continue its heritage of musical excellence in Catholic liturgy
and public sacred concerts - without necessarily making a lengthy commitment to pledge
payments.
Through this program we have identified general donor categories which begin as low as
$1. Millennium Organ pipes of varying shapes, sizes and materials, can be adopted by
making a gift of $ 100 or more. For example, a donation of $100 could make you the
proud sponsor of a 2-foot Recit Octavin; a $500 gift may give you a 4-foot Grand Orgue
Flute Conique; and for a donation of $ 1,000, you may be blessed with a 16-foot Pedale
Soubasse.
Although sponsors are not allowed to take their pipes home, they will receive a
personalized certificate and the opportunity to name their new pipe. Larger gifts also
receive complimentary seats at the dedication ceremony and concert. Added benefits of
adopting one of our pipes include no 2:00 a.m. feedings, no toddler temper tantrums,
and definitely no teens breaking curfew or skipping school. in fact, the Millennium
Organ Adopt-A-Pipe program may be just the answer for those of you who just aren't
sure if you're ready for the commitment of "real" parenthood.
A CHALLENGE FROM FRIENDS
One of the biggest surprises of the Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy Millennium Organ
project has been the generous offer of a $100,000 challenge grant by Cathedral
friends and patrons of the arts, Keith and Mary Kay McCaw. This grant matches dollar
for dollar, every gift made to the Millennium Organ prior to the end of September,
up to $100,000! Therefore, a gift of $25 dollars is actually worth $50, and a gift of
$500 is actually worth $1,000! To date, $47,000 in parishioner's gifts have been matched
by the McCaws.
HOW TO ADOPT A PIPE
For your chance to sponsor a pipe, call the Cathedral Development office at (206)
382-4284. Or look for additional information in the Archbishop ThomasJ. Murphy
Millennium Organ brochures and pledge forms which can be found in the back of the
Cathedral, at the parish office, in the book store and at coffee hours after masses.
Your gift will come alive with every note played for generations to come.
Mary Ann Millican, Director of Development
Back To Aug 97 Issue