Nestled in the rolling Irish Hills of Michigan, this historic church has long been a place of deep devotion and spiritual refuge, a home for the faithful for generations.

And today, that faith is stronger than ever — shown in St. Joseph Shrine’s success in the Diocese of Lansing’s Stewardship for Saints and Scholars campaign, which seeks to raise $70 million to make Catholic education more On Mission, Affordable, and Accessible.

While many parishes in the diocese have Catholic schools directly tied to their mission, St. Joseph Shrine does not — leading some to wonder whether the campaign and its emphasis on Catholic education would not resonate as deeply.

Yet the parish not only met its goal but exceeded expectations, standing among the top performers in the first wave of the campaign. This remarkable achievement wouldn’t be possible without the generosity, foresight and unity of the small but mighty faith family.

St. Joseph Shrine’s pastor, Father Zachary Mabee, credits the parish’s campaign success to the people.

“I’ve found that when I ask people of the parish for help, for input, for support with various things, they just give it very generously. And I had a similar response with (the campaign). here were some basic types of apprehension or just concern that probably a lot of people in most places have, but overall, people were very enthusiastic about it. They were ready to get behind it. They were good sports about it, and that made a big difference.”

Father Zach wasn’t raised Catholic, but he is a product of Catholic education, and he understands its impact firsthand. “I went to an all-boys Jesuit high school, and I profited greatly from that experience. That was a significant part of my journey into the Catholic faith.”

When he first heard about the campaign, Father Zach said he was a little leery of the numbers — of the size of the campaign. But he was encouraged by his own experiences and was confident in his parishioners’ generosity — even in a parish without a school.

“There were (parishioners) who said things like, ‘Oh, I really wanted to send my kids to a Catholic school, but I wasn’t able to because it was a little too much of a strain,’ or, ‘I was able to, but I wish that I could have had a little more help.’ … There were these other angles to come at it through.”

St. Joseph Shrine is a fairly rural church, and many of its parishioners are nearing or into retirement, and they see their giving as a legacy — not just for their children and grandchildren, but for generations to come. They understand that investing in Catholic education now ensures that the faith remains vibrant and accessible for the young families of today and tomorrow.

The parish’s campaign success also was about St. Joseph Shrine’s own needs. A portion of the funds raised will go toward the renovation of the parish’s family center, a much-needed improvement that will allow the community to gather, learn, and celebrate together.

This project had been on the parish’s heart for some time. Now, thanks to the Stewardship for Saints and Scholars campaign, that vision is closer to becoming a reality.

Liz Girdham, a parishioner whose family has worshiped at St. Joseph Shrine for six generations, played a crucial role in rallying the community. She understands the importance of supporting Catholic schools — she sent her children to Catholic schools, spent much of her career teaching in Catholic schools in Illinois and now teaches part-time at a Catholic homeschool co-op in Ann Arbor. But she also understands the hearts of her fellow parishioners.

“When I first started talking to my husband about making a sacrificial gift, he said, ‘Haven’t we given enough to Catholic schools?’ ” Liz recalled. “And I told him, ‘We were lucky to be able to send our kids to a Catholic school. Not everyone has that opportunity. Now we have a chance to help others do the same.’ ”

Liz, along with several other dedicated volunteers, helped make the campaign a resounding success. As a part-time parish staff member, she served as a liaison between the parish and campaign, and she gave a testimonial during Commitment Weekend.

Liz also attributed the parish’s success to the parishioners and volunteers. It was a team effort from start to finish, a true embodiment of the parish’s collaborative spirit. “Everyone knew what their job was, and they went after it,” said Tom Maliszewski, the parish’s Steier Group campaign manager.

For many, the campaign was about more than reaching a financial goal — it was about reaffirming the values that define St. Joseph Shrine. It was about faith, generosity, and looking beyond one’s own needs to build something greater.

The parishioners gave not out of obligation, but out of love. And that love bore fruit in abundance.

So, what advice would St. Joseph Shrine offer to other parishes preparing for their own campaign journey? Trust the process, be patient, recognize the deep well of generosity within your community — and talk up the cause.

“This is a worthy cause,” Liz said. “It is our obligation — more than an obligation, it’s our privilege — to promote this, to support Catholic schools, to raise not just our own children, but all the children of our greater parish family, to raise them to know and love and serve the Lord.”