Open Wide the Doors
Capital Campaign
Preserving our sacred home and welcoming the next generation.
For generations, Blessed Sacrament Church has been a place of worship, beauty, service, and Catholic witness in the heart of Buffalo.
The Open Wide the Doors Capital Campaign will preserve this sacred church, improve accessibility, strengthen parish life, and prepare Blessed Sacrament to serve future generations.
Through the McGloin Juenker Foundation, your gift directly supports this work of preservation and love.
Informational Receptions
If you were unable to attend one of our Open Wide the Doors Capital Campaign informational receptions in June 2026, we invite you to contact us in the form below. When enough interested parties come forward, we will schedule another round of sessions.
Why this campaign matters
Blessed Sacrament Church is more than a building. It is a sacred home.
It is where generations have gathered for Mass, received the sacraments, mourned loved ones, celebrated marriages, formed friendships, served neighbors, and encountered Christ.
The beauty of our church is a gift. It is also a responsibility.
The work proposed through this campaign will make Blessed Sacrament more accessible, more welcoming, more beautiful, and more ready for the future. Some needs are practical. Some are urgent. All are connected to our mission: to love God, love our neighbors, and make disciples.
This is our moment to act with gratitude, courage, and faith.
Campaign projects
The proposed campaign work includes major improvements inside the church, including:
Accessibility upgrades
Restroom renovations
Restoration of the altar and transepts
Improved pew spacing
Dedicated wheelchair seating
Stained-glass window restoration
Interior painting and plaster repairs
Floor restoration and related improvements
Other repairs and upgrades needed to preserve the dignity, beauty, and functionality of the church
These projects will help ensure that Blessed Sacrament remains a joyful, vibrant, and welcoming Catholic church for the Elmwood Village, the Delaware District, and the wider Buffalo community.
How the campaign works
Campaign Goal: $1,000,000
Campaign Period: June 2026 - September 2026
Pledge Fulfillment Period: Five Years
Every gift matters. Every pledge matters. Every parishioner and friend of Blessed Sacrament is invited to participate in a meaningful way.
A capital campaign is different from regular weekly giving. Weekly offertory supports the ordinary operations of the parish. A capital campaign supports major, long-term improvements that require extraordinary generosity.
Please continue your regular parish support while prayerfully considering a special gift or pledge to the Open Wide the Doors Capital Campaign.
A message to parishioners and friends
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Blessed Sacrament Church has been entrusted to us by those who came before us. They sacrificed, built, repaired, prayed, and gave so that we could inherit a sacred place of extraordinary beauty and significance.
Now it is our turn.
The Open Wide the Doors Capital Campaign is an invitation to preserve our church, strengthen our parish life, and make Blessed Sacrament more welcoming to every person who enters our doors. The proposed improvements will address accessibility, worship space, restrooms, restoration, and other important needs that will help our parish serve the faithful for generations.
We ask you to prayerfully consider making a gift or pledge. Some will be able to make a leadership gift. Others will give more modestly. What matters most is that each person participates with faith, gratitude, and love for this parish.
Together, we can honor the past, serve the present, and prepare Blessed Sacrament for the future.
With gratitude,
Michael & Catherine Pitek
Honorary Campaign Co-Chairs
Why give through the McGloin Juenker Foundation?
The McGloin Juenker Foundation was created by long-time Blessed Sacrament parishioners to help secure the future of the church and its community.
As an independent 501(c)(3), the Foundation exists to support the preservation and development of Blessed Sacrament Church as a place of historic, religious, architectural, cultural, and community significance.
Your contribution to the Open Wide the Doors Capital Campaign through the McGloin Juenker Foundation directly supports this work.
Become a campaign volunteer
The success of this campaign will depend on prayer, generosity, and the help of many volunteers.
We invite parishioners and friends to assist with outreach, hospitality, mailings, phone calls, campaign receptions, and other projects. Your help will make the campaign stronger and more personal.
If the volunteer form does not appear, please email contact@mcgloinjuenker.org or call (716) 218-9139 to make your pledge.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Open Wide the Doors Capital Campaign?
The Open Wide the Doors Capital Campaign is a special fundraising effort to support major improvements to Blessed Sacrament Church, including accessibility upgrades, restroom renovations, restoration work, improved seating, stained-glass restoration, painting, plaster repairs, floor restoration, and related improvements.
Why is this campaign needed now?
Blessed Sacrament Church is a historic and sacred place that requires ongoing care. Several important improvements are needed to preserve the church, improve accessibility, and make the building more welcoming and functional for parishioners, families, visitors, and people with disabilities.
Is this different from regular weekly offertory?
Yes. Regular offertory supports the ordinary operations of the parish. The Open Wide the Doors Capital Campaign supports major capital improvements. We ask parishioners to continue their regular parish support while prayerfully considering a special campaign gift or pledge.
Can I make a pledge instead of a one-time gift?
Yes. Pledges are encouraged because they allow donors to make a larger gift over time. Pledges may be fulfilled monthly, quarterly, annually, or on another schedule that works for the donor.
Can I change my pledge later?
Yes. If your financial circumstances change, you may contact the campaign team to adjust your pledge.
Can I give anonymously?
Yes. Anonymous gifts are welcome. Please indicate your preference when making your gift or pledge.
Can I make a gift in honor or memory of someone?
Yes. Gifts may be made in honor or memory of a loved one. Please include the name of the person you wish to honor or remember when submitting your gift.
Are gifts tax-deductible?
Yes. The McGloin Juenker Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donors should consult their tax advisor regarding their personal circumstances.
Is the church roof still leaking?
No. The church roof was replaced in 2025. There are no more leaks.
Who should I contact with questions?
Please contact the McGloin Juenker Foundation at contact@mcgloinjuenker.org or (716) 218-9139.
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Help us Open Wide the Doors
Blessed Sacrament Church has been entrusted to us. With your help, we can preserve its beauty, improve accessibility, restore sacred spaces, and prepare this parish for future generations.