News and Updates
About
The renovation committee started work over a year ago by reviewing the Vatican II document concerning church renovations. As we did this we learned that there are several liturgical considerations we had to at least consider.
Looking at the church, it was obviously remodeled prior to Vatican II. There are four altars in our sanctuary. The main altar is raised above two altars but not the tabernacle. Vatican II gives equal value to the Word and the Eucharist. Vatican II also says we, the congregation, are one of the principal modes of Christ’s presence. We are a vital part of the liturgy.
The administering of the sacraments needed to be considered, and this is why we are planning for an addition if we receive the necessary funding. Baptism, Reconciliation, and funerals were discussed. We basically examined how well we are serving you. There are several deficiencies we need to address.
The confessional shares a thin wall with the bathroom. Another problem is a baptismal font that is very crowded. There is little room for the family to stand with their child; and the baptismal font is not appropriately placed. The final liturgical consideration is funerals. The family currently comes in the side door while the casket is carried up 10 steps into the back of the church. Neither entryway has enough room for a family to be around the casket. If you look closely you will find that there is barely even enough room to manipulate the casket into the church.
We have the responsibility to maintain our art. The murals, the statues, the stations have to be maintained. More than maintained, we have an obligation to you to keep this art. It has to be beautiful and it has to be kept here. This is absolutely part of the renovation.
How Do We Pay for This?
The silent phase. Over the past year Fr. met individually with some of our parishioners in order to judge the feasibility of a campaign. Recently, a presentation was made to our top givers during two receptions. This was done in order to make a first appeal for support, but also to anticipate the questions and concerns of the wider parish.
The public phase. You will soon receive a brochure showing you the details of the plan we have proposed. Each parishioner is going to see our plans and be given the opportunity to donate to this campaign.
The follow-up phase. This phase will be reach out to parishioners we did not reach during the first two phases and will take place during the Fall.
How can you give to this project?
Memorial Opportunities
In the brochure you will see a list of items in the church that can be offered in memory of a loved one or some special intention. These memorials are available on a first-come first-serve basis. If you recall, earlier I talked about sacred art and our responsibility to repair and restore this art. There are some opportunities for you to sponsor a piece of devotional art or furniture you are fond of.
Pledges
We are asking you to consider a $5,000 average pledge. We understand that many cannot give this much, but also anticipate that some may be able to give more. Pledges of less than $5,000 may be paid over a three year period. Pledges of $5,000 or more can be paid over a five year period (or less time if you so choose). We ask for a 10% down payment because we anticipate beginning work in the Fall.
We strongly encourage each of you to spend a little time in your church so you can see what we, the members of the Renovation Committee, saw for ourselves. We need to fix our church and it needs to be done well. This is our top priority. Hopefully we will have enough to meet the structural and equally important liturgical needs.