General Information | Divine Mercy Shrine & Retreat Donors

Divine Mercy Shrine & Retreat Donors

• What is the Divine Mercy Shrine & Retreat Project?
• What Will The Shrine Look Like?
• Beautiful Pictures! How Can I Get There?
• Are You Working On The Site at this Point?
• What is the Divine Mercy Eucharist Society?
• Does the Shrine Project have a Fundraising Plan?
• Who is on the Divine Mercy and Shrine Project Governing Board?
• What is the Evangelical Purpose Behind The Shrine?
• Do You Have An IRS Donation Letter?
• How Much is The Shrine Going to Cost?
• How Far Along Are You?
• What Do You Need for Help?
• When Will The Shrine Be Complete?
• Can I See More Information?

These pages provide supportive documents for the development of a successful fundraising campaign to build and operate a West Coast Divine Mercy Shrine and Retreat. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the followers and participants in the Divine Mercy Eucharistic Society (located in El Cerrito, CA) believe there is no better way to share the power of the merciful message of God than to touch the hearts and minds of people for generations to come. For that reason we have decided to build this Shrine, a companion to the National Shrine of Divine Mercy, which is located in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Click here to see a description of the National Shrine.

As our project unfolds you will be able to see new and updated information on here. We will provide direct information or downloadable documents to keep this project transparent to all those who invest their resources and faith in our work.

The Catholic Funding Guide states in the preparation section that there are many pressures on religious organizations to be open, professional and transparent with their goals and financial records. As this resource guide makes clear:

“Catholic-oriented foundations today are exercising more caution in their grant making choices. They will require that proposals for assistance be developed with care... Church-related charities and institutions that hope to be successful in enlisting support will have to be clear about their mission, have a compelling need, a well organized and capable leadership, an excellent fundraising plan with broad-based support, and superb accountability and financial transparency.”

This plan is designed to move the Divine Mercy Shrine of the West Coast in this direction. I anticipate that the passion, commitment and heartfelt faith in the project will continue to come from Thelma Orias's leadership, and from the love and commitment of the many people who visualize the Shrine as a manifestation of Godfs love and mercy.

We begin our fundraising plan with a prayer to St. Joseph:

O Blessed St. Joseph, Faithful Guardian of our Redeemer and Protector of the Mother of God, as our special Patron and Advocate in the building of our Divine Mercy Shrine, we firmly resolve to honor you throughout or lives and humbly beseech you to hear our prayers. We ask you to guide us in our work, to dispel our uncertainty and doubt, to keep us humble and respectful of each other, and to provide us with all the resources we need to complete our mission of building the West Coast Shrine and Retreat Center of Divine Mercy?all as we obtain the knowledge and love of our Merciful Jesus and our Lady, in fidelity to Our God. St. Joseph, protect us from the terror of demons: from distractions, division, pride, confusion, and all things which may keep us away from fulfilling this mission that we have been called to, through the love we share for His Divine Mercy and His true presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Amen.

What is the Divine Mercy Shrine & Retreat Project?

Attached is a short, 2-page description of the project. This particular description reflects a request we have made to the Valley Foundation for a challenge grant. Please review these materials and let us know what you think or whether you might be able to help. Two-Page Project Overview.pdf

Back to Top

What Will The Shrine Look Like?

Here are some pictures to help you experience the Glory of this experience and the wonder of what God's Mercy has in store for those seeking the truth. These are initial representations. The actual drawing have not been completed yet so this is just meant to show what the site will look like in general terms.

Click on picture to enlarge.

Beautiful Pictures! How Can I Get There?

Divine Mercy West Coast Shrine is located in Sunol, CA on Sheridan Road, the first gate on the right as you exit or cross 680 Fwy. South-bound travelers will cross 680 at Sheridan Road (from Mission Road via Andrade Road exit). while North-bound 680 travelers will exit directly onto Sheridan Road. Travel about 1/3 mile to the first gate on the RIGHT, while and red ribbons are on the post. Go up the hill about 1/4 mile to a level area. At the far-end you will see a wooden cross, this marks the gathering place. Park with consideration for others, especially for those who must park near-by because of physical abilities. The ground is rough, so watch your step. Please bring your own chair(s) and/or a blanket. We now have a porta-potty. No running water, or power, so bring your favorite beverage or water, and if you wish something for pot-luck. The gatherings are informal, just a big family-style get-together, with prayer and discussion. Please come and help us PRAY the SHRINE into existence. We are depending on God, not man, so we must demonstate to the Lord our desire to have the Shrine. The rest will come when the Lord is ready, let us prepare ourselves and our families.

Are You Working On The Site at this Point?

Mostly we are seeking to raise money. Once we have progressed, however, we expect to have a welcoming gate and a temporary structure for those seeking to pray for the success of this project. Here is a representation of what we trust the gate will look like once we have secured the donations:

Click on picture to enlarge.

Back to Top

What is the Divine Mercy Eucharist Society?

We offer a variety of services that seek to honor our Merciful Lord. Among these are a variety of adoration worship services and community support. We started in about 1990 and have developed Mary's House, a home for pregnant, single women and their babies, as well as a number of spiritual outreach projects. You can see more about our history in the 2-Page Summary above.

Does the Shrine Project have a Fundraising Plan?

Yes we do. You can view the current draft right here: Mercy Fundraising Plan February.pdf Please feel free to make suggestions or to let our fundraising consultant know if you would like to make a gift. He can be reached at AllanShore@msn.com.

Who is on the Divine Mercy and Shrine Project Governing Board?

Good question. We have several respected individuals, including members of local and national religious leadership organizations. You can see a summary of them and their qualifications in this document: Board Advisors Feb 2007.pdf

What is the Evangelical Purpose Behind The Shrine?

Here is a summary statement. It includes a list of the major activities that we hope to see operational at the Shrine once it is completed in the coming years. Evangelical Statement: EvangelicalStatement.pdf

Do You Have An IRS Donation Letter?

We do. Our Tax ID number is 94-3211617. We expect to have a copy scanned and available on this page in the near future.

Back to Top

How Much is The Shrine Going to Cost?

We have designed it in five capital phases. Phases 1 through 3 focus on securing about $30 million to build the bascilica/church itself. The remaining phases will add the retreat and housing elements for the religious and lay staff, as well as the physical support requirements for helping the elderly and homeless as well as for conducting educational session. The total cost is projected to be $45 million.

Attached is a budget overview and a budget narrative to show what we are seeking at the moment and how donations will be used.

Capital Budget MASTER SHEET.pdf

How Far Along Are You?

The caring and compassionate believers of the Divine Mercy Eucharist Society--and friends of our board members and advisors--have provided substantial private donations to enable us to secure the land and begin preparations to make the land usable for those wishing to make a pilgrimage or to contemplate the wonder of the project. The pictures and drawing above show what we have done besides gain control of the land.

Back to Top

What Do You Need for Help?

Donations. You can contact our development professional Allan Shore at 916-730-2801 or the Divine Mercy Eucharist Society directly (888-238-6560) for more information. We are particularly seeking major donors who can give substantial gifts, either immediately or in the form of bequests, to ensure that this project succeeds and provides a magnificent memorial to those who trust in the Lord and his Mercy.

We are currently seeking grants of $1 million or more and are willing to work with donors to use these gifts as an incentive to invite others. We will also recognize all major donations on site or on the property as it evolves.

When Will The Shrine Be Complete?

Our target date is to have the chuch itself open by 2009. Perhaps with God's blessings we will have the entire project operational by 2010 or 2011. With your help we will have it ready faster.

Can I See More Information?

Sure. If you have a good computer, you may be able to download this multi-page PDF that operates like a PowerPoint Presentation. If offers more specifics and much of the Christian and Merciful motivation of our works.

Back to Top