February 12, 2012 (update)
The Past What a long way we've come! Many of you remember that back in 2006 our parish was celebrating our sesquicentennial. Bishop John F. Kinney's letter to us at the time highlighted the "determination and foresight" as well as the "prayerfulness, deep faith and dedication" that was evident when our parish was started and was still nurturing our parish 150 years later.
It was also during this time of celebration that the formation of special committees was suggested in order to address many of the needs that parishioners, through their survey responses, voiced.
One of the major initiatives to emerge from this process was a capital campaign entitle 'Opening New Doors'. This campaign kicked off in 2007, ran for three years, and raised a little over $700,000. This amount was not enough to begin work on a carefully thought out addition, budgeted at $1.5 million, which would address such needs as: handicapped accessible entrances, code compliant main floor restrooms, adequate gathering space, faith formation offices and classrooms, and the preservation and complementing of the existing church architecture.
After three years, the project was underfinanced and in limbo, though these and other needs still remained to be addressed. In 2010 the Building Committee regrouped and hired Mark Davy and Associates to conduct a feasibility study that would provide guidance and allow us to move forward while addressing at least some of our parish's needs. Around this time, it was discovered that our aging heating system, serving both the school and the church, would have to be replaced. A second three year campaign was eventually undertaken.
The Present
Because of the timely backing of two very generous anonymous donors, the church addition and heating system upgrade are now becoming a firm reality. One of the donations involves a matching gift of up to $400,000., to be used for the addition. THe parish has already received nearly $380,000. in pledges in response to this gift! The other donations involves a single gift that will help fund the cost of the heating upgrade. Lon Negen, chief architect for this project, has given $1.75 million as the new budgetary number for the edition. This is largely due to the amount of time that has transpired since the original estimate. It should be noted that this number is still an estimate. The exact cost of the project cannot be determined until the bid process is complete (see below).
Fr. Stephen, the Parish Council, the Building Committee, and many individuals and families have prayed, worked, and sacrificed to reach this stage, are grateful beyond measure for everyone, large and small donors alike, who have supported the process thus far. We are most especially grateful to God for remaining steadfast in his love for us. As Psalm 37:23 states, "Our steps are made firm by the Lord when He delights in our way."
The Future
The bid process is the next big step along our journey. It is hoped that the bid packages will be released by the end of this month and that bids will be awarded by late April. A groundbreaking ceremony would then follow, and could conceivably take place in May or early June.
There is always a certain measure of uneasiness and uncertainty when change is about to take place. Some parishioners may still be questioning the wisdom of proceeding with the addition, despite the money that has been raised.
One possible concern is the potentially high operating costs of the new heating and AC system. The Building Committee has looked at this question and has determined that with the two new, high efficiency units in place (one for the church, one for the school), the operational cost should be less than the old existing system.
Another concern pertains to church attendance. Will the numbers of those attending and giving on a weekly basis now and into the future be sufficient to support the overall maintenance and operational cost of the parish?
This is a question that is best addressed through prayer and trust that God has a special plan for our parish and for each of us. We are all called to be ambassadors for God's Kingdom. Let us continue to spread the good news, invite the uninvited, and rededicate ourselves to faithful stewardship of all that God has given us.
Bishop Kinney's beautiful closing words in his 2006 letter seem even more meaningful for us today: "My prayers are with you now and in the future that you will be blessed with the grace to continue to nourish your faith in Christ and the Church. Congratulations, best wishes and my blessings to each of you... It is a time to celebrate!"
