PERRYSBURG – It has been a very busy and hectic time recently at Saint John XXIII Catholic Community.
With the canonization of the patron of the parish, Pope John XXIII, by Pope Francis on April 27, the
church changed its name from Blessed John XXIII. Also, the parish last weekend held its "Commitment
Weekend" for the capital campaign to construct a church building.
The current building at 24250 Dixie Highway (Ohio Route 25) south of the city serves many purposes
including liturgies, but is not an actual church.
The parish is the newest parish in the Catholic Diocese of Toledo beginning its existence in July 2005.
After initially meeting at Perrysburg High School as well as using other churches, the parish opened its
Parish Life Center in November, 2008.
In under 10 years, the parish has grown its membership to more than 1,100 families and the multi-purpose
hall is not big enough for Masses and all the other activities of the parish. Because the burgeoning
parish has outgrown that facility it is now looking to construct an actual church building.
The planned church will be connected to the present facility and will include additional classroom,
meeting and office spaces along with a gathering atrium space.
"Since 2005 we have been building a church community, and now it’s time to build an actual church
building," said Father Herb Weber, the parish’s pastor.
The "Threshold to Tomorrow" campaign has set a groundbreaking goal of $3,350,000. That figure
represents 50 percent of the projected cost of the project. That is the amount required by the diocese
to begin construction, The challenge goal of $6.75 million would allow the parish to complete the
project with little or no debt.
Through the growth and generosity of the members, the debt on the current building will be paid off
early. That is expected to be paid off later this year. The groundbreaking for the new church is
tentatively set for 2017.
Weber announced last weekend that the advance giving phase of the new campaign had raised gifts and
pledges totaling roughly $1.8 million.
Following the worship services last weekend, members were asked to make their pledges for the new
campaign. On Thursday, Weber said early numbers show at least $2.5 million committed with additional
pledges and donations coming in daily.
Parishioners are asked to make their pledge over three years to allow them time for budgeting purposes.

Regarding the name change Weber noted it is sometimes difficult to get away from the Blessed title,
calling the change to merely be an "external manifestation of the canonization" of their
patron.
"We’re honored out patron was canonized. For us, it is an exciting time to recall what this man
stood for and why we chose him as our patron," Weber said.