With this school year beginning, I would like to invite new members to the parish pastoral council. This council is typically my “think tank” with whom I share updates to get feedback and possible new ideas on parish plans and direction. While we had not met over the past months, it is time to get started once again. The commitment is for a monthly 1-hour meeting for hopefully three years (if you aren’t certain three is feasible, you may still apply). My plan is to allow for Zoom participation for those who are not comfortable coming in person for as long as needed. If you would like to offer your name to the list, please send me an e-mail or give me a call explaining briefly why this is important to you. I would love to hear from parishioners of various walks of life and various length of history with the parish.
In order to organize and plan our parish’s church renovations, I have gotten much feedback over the past year with pastoral council, staff, volunteers, other parishioners, and experts or professionals. It has really helped with making positive adjustments to the plan. I would like to give an update on some of those modifications.
Based on lots of good feedback from many different groups, we will transfer the choir to the other side of the sanctuary. This will allow for uninhibited view of the sanctuary from the chapel, which will have glass dividers installed with access to the sanctuary by adding a glass door. By making the sanctuary a little smaller (less wide and deep) we will allow ample space for the choir, piano, etc. on the south (left) side of the sanctuary. The priest and server seats will be transferred to the other side of the sanctuary, near the ambo, to balance out the space. Also, by removing the front angle section of the sanctuary, we will allow the pews to gather a little closer to the altar, which is a real benefit to the further back rows, and, having less tile in front of church will diminish the adverse effects on sound (less reverb) - something very important for hearing impaired.
The altar of repose for the tabernacle will be very similar to our former pastor’s plan: wide, substantial, with a back that frames the tabernacle. While I had hoped to place new statues of Mary and Joseph in the sanctuary, it was deemed by the church architects to create too much of a clash with the crucifix both thematically and stylistically (which I now understand). So I have hopes to use the right walls where we have a couple paintings to do some murals of the Holy Family and the Martin family. We are considering getting two small angel statues to go on either side of the tabernacle.
Thanks to a specific donation a few months ago, we do have six candlesticks already for the altar of repose, two of which are currently flanking the tabernacle. The devotional area will still be placed in the front of church near where the St. Thérése statue currently is placed. I hope to incorporate the relics up there as well. Currently the Mary statue will remain in her recessed area.
There is no change from former ideas in regards to the lights. We will have simple single-unit pendants hanging from the current locations which will shine light around instead of just down. The same goes for the flooring replacement: new carpet for everywhere except the main aisle and in front of pews (and sanctuary) for elevating the dignity of the sanctuary and preserving the dignity of Holy Communion especially in case of an accident (spilling a chalice).
The bell tower will need some repair so that we can be confident of its structural integrity. This was an expense outside of the campaign but we have other funds (capital improvements) that can cover the cost.
The pews will be refurbished to match the wood stain of the support beams of our church. We will also get new kneeler pads (or replace kneelers entirely).
I am so grateful to our parish for generously supporting the Small Things with Great Love Capital Campaign, even through these uncertain times. It is a testament to faith. It also is going to bear great fruit for our parish for years to come as we grow closer to God and to each other in this space.