MILLER — An effort to raise funds for a new Parish Center at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Miller is entering its final phase, and members of the building committee hope that a fundraiser set for Jan. 28 may put them over the top.
“We’re calling it St. Ann’s Souper Sunday Celebration,” said committee member Diane Steers. The celebration, which will include both a live and silent auction, as well as numerous raffles, is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Miller Community Center.
On the menu and available for purchase will be two of the best-selling soups that were available at the old Driftwood Cafe of Miller, which is now closed, along with other tasty treats.
A very brief look at an extensive list of auction and raffle donations includes a five-day Caribbean Carnival Cruise this spring, a home to use for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and a three-night stay at a cabin on Cottonwood Lake, in a dwelling that sleeps up to 16 people and has all of the amenities available.
“More donations continue to come in for the auctions and raffle,” said Father Paul Josten, the parish priest. “We are working on deciding where different things will go, in regards to an auction or raffle. We expect to have a lot of items available by raffle.”
Also on the list of donations are soybean seeds, a load of hay, quarters of beef or pork halves, a dessert per month for a year; a pie per month and a goodie tray made fresh for Christmas 2018 and the list just goes on and on.
“Our current Parish Center has some issues,” said Kim Joy-Nelson, another committee member. “It is older, it’s not attached to the church, it has a flat roof and the bathrooms are not handicap accessible.”
The proposed new Parish Center will be situated north of the church building and will be attached. While the floor plan is not finalized, it will be a larger space to make it more useable for church functions and will feature a kitchen and handicap accessible bathrooms.
DeAnn Beckett is St. Ann’s church secretary and also a committee member. She noted that the church did an extensive study to determine what the church membership really wanted. “We began fundraising just a little over a year ago.”
“When we began, we started with a goal of $1.5 million,” Joy-Nelson said. “That seemed somewhat insurmountable for a parish our size, but now we have raised $1.2 million and people are seeing that this is getting closer to actually happening and donations have been gaining momentum.”
With the fundraising goal nearly met, the committee at St. Ann’s is hoping that the Souper Sunday Celebration will put them over the top.
“We have about 250 families in the parish, although not all are active and involved,” said Father Paul. “This process, as many do, has fallen on the backs of those more generous people.”
“That is why we went with this type of fundraiser,” Joy-Nelson chimed in. “People may be able to donate some item or donate of their talents, as opposed to making a monetary donation. Doing an auction and raffle allows those people to participate as well.”
As the fundraising nears its conclusion, the thoughts in the committee are beginning to turn to the next phase - construction.
“We certainly hope to be able to finalize plans and begin construction in the coming year,” Father Paul said.
See up-to-date auction donations at stannmiller.com, or on the church’s Facebook page. There is also a page established for monetary donations at gofundme.com and search St. Ann’s of Miller.

SOUPER SUNDAY CELEBRATION!
Sunday, January 28 from 10AM – 2 PM

FUN TIMES:
4 coach class airline tickets (or 2 first class tickets) to U.S. destination – donor needs 4 weeks notice to book.
5 day Carribean Carnival Cruise  4/23 – 4/28  - Tampa, Grand Cayman, Cozumel.
Sturgis Rally Accomodations - entire home in Spearfish available for 6-10 people – valued at over $1000/night.
Cottonwood Lake Get-Away - three nights’ stay of bidders choosing, anytime from June 1st to July 31st at lake house located on Cottonwood Lake. House sleeps 16 people. Nice sandy beach, private dock, satellite TV, kitchen, and laundry. Enjoy fishing, swimming, boating or simply relaxing on the large lakeside deck.
An afternoon of sailing.
Guided horseback outing in the scenic Ree Hills.
Take a ride in an airplane with a local pilot.
A fantastic day of South Dakota fishing for two. Boat, lunch, and gear included (if needed).
Pizza and pool with Padre Paul A party of 8 will join Father Paul at his place once a month for a year. Come for pizza! Come for pool! Come just for the heck of it!  Cash value:  Priceless!

AG RELATED:

REA seed donation – 100 units soy seed REA brand – $6400 retail.
Channel seed donation  - 100 units soy seed Channel brand - $6400.
Load of grass hay – average 1400#, net wrapped – roughly $2500 value.
Will haul 10,000 bushels – grain from bin to an elevator within 25 miles.
400 International Tractor – 1955/56, half restored, new wiring harness, new seat, power steering, wide front, runs good, nice tractor.

GOOD EATING:
2 - halves of processed pork.
2) quarters of processed beef. Recipient will pick it up in Tulare.
2) 50# boxes of ground beef.
3 packages of 2 frozen chickens.
Monthly Dessert Bouquet (a different dessert each month for 1 year)- Jean Jennings
Cookies each month for a year.
Delicious homemade cupcakes.
Pie a month for 1 year from award winning baker.
A quart of sherbet a week - 16 weeks through the summer months from The Takeout.
Homemade baked goods.
Amazing goodie tray made up fresh for Christmas 2018.

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES:
Top of the line Sligh brand Grandfather Clock in mint condition.
Harvey Dunn prints.
Lift chair – in great condition.
Sharp AL 2050CS Copier/printer/scanner.
4 daylilies – spring delivery.

HAND CRAFTED ITEMS:
Beautiful handcrafted child’s rocking chair.
Beautiful stained glass window handcrafted.
Handmade quilt - lilac and pink - 66”X51”.
12”x12” Handcrafted wall décor – Love is in the Air - a perfect Valentine Day gift.
Craft creations.
Winter Snowman Quilt.
Wooden cross with flower arrangement by local artisans.
Taking orders for T-shirt pillowcases (using your own favorite t-shirts).
16 bottles of wine transformed into centerpieces with flowers and balloons.

GREAT GIFTS:
Big, bold Valentines Day Delivery to someone special (includes flowers, balloons, candy, and bear) valued at $150 – Jill Wallace/Nature Bound Floral & Greenhouse.
Photo Session.
Miller Rustler Sports package with season passes, stadium seats and gift certificates for sweatshirts.
Three $50 arrangements from Nature Bound - delivered to recipient throughout the year.
Child’s tea set including table and 4 chairs.
Midway Drive In gift basket including season pass.
Silver Candelabras.
Craftsman Wet-Dry Vac 16 gallon.
Heavy duty Nebo Slyde flashlight – $50 value – Donated by Oakley Farm & Ranch Supply.
Small black bike with training wheels.
10” Miter saw.
New 19.5” Acer Computer Monitor.
2 “bag’ chairs.
Wurlitzer organ.
Wine Cooler.
Game set (dominoes, checkers, cribbage, etc.).
Gently used equipment for baby/infant. New models/great condition.
$25 gift certificate to Oakley Farm & Ranch Supply.
Football tailgating grill with accessories.
Nu-Wave Oven Pro Package  Oven Pro, extender ring kit, party mixer & twister blender, carrying case, instructional DVD, cooking guide and cookbook.
New toolbox valued at $250.

Photo courtesy drawing from St. Ann’s Catholic Church
This architect’s rendition of how the new Parish Center, on the right side of the drawing, may look when completed. On the left side is the existing St. Ann’s Catholic Church. in Miller.

Photo courtesy of Diane Steers
The sanctuary of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Miller.