Many parishioners have been asking about progress being made in our "Planning Our Future Together" initiative. Excellent progress has been made, but there are several important things that need to be done before final recommendations are shared with the parish community. The following is a summary of tasks that have been completed - and tasks that still require additional study and discussion:
Planning Our Future Together Subcommittees:
The subcommittees established to look at parish immediate, short-term and long-term needs and wants have submitted their reports to the Planning Team. The Finance Committee is in the process of determining the resources needed to meet the identified needs, as well as ways to raise the resources needed.
Selected Needs That Have Been Identified:
Among other things, the following immediate, short-term, and long-term needs have been identified:
These needs do not reflect all the needs/wants that were identified, but they represent items that have been consistently mentioned in subcommittee and Planning Team meetings. Many strategies for meeting these needs have already been identified.
Parish/School Facilities: The parish and school facilities subcommittees have been working together and have developed conceptual plans for the following scenarios and strategies:
ü Scenario A: Renovate.
This strategy entails renovation of existing facilities, and construction of a multi-use facility and permanent Middle School. This strategy can be implemented in stages.
ü Scenario B: Relocate.
This scenario entails construction of facilities to replace all existing facilities and to add new facilities to meet the identified needs on a new site. Note that depending on the time required for implementation of this scenario, we may wish to implement other recommended strategies on the current site to meet important pressing needs.
ü Scenario C: Rebuild. This scenario entails construction of new Church and School facilities, as well as a multi-purpose facility on the current site. It is similar to Scenario A except that the Church and/or School will be built rather than simply renovated.
Diagrams outlining the three Parish/School Facilities scenarios are located in the church vestibule and school foyer. Please feel free to look at them at your convenience. A narrative regarding each scenario is provided on the joint parish and school facilities report which can be found on the church website.
It is important to note that none of these options are being recommended at this time. Recommendations will be made only after each option is studied in much greater detail, and the costs (and ways to raise the money) associated with each option are thoroughly and accurately assessed and determined. In addition, another scenario incorporating elements of Scenarios A & C is also being discussed.
Next Steps:
Before recommendations can be made to meet identified needs and to suggest which parish/school facilities scenario is most feasible, additional work must be undertaken, including the following:
The "Planning Our Future Together" Planning Team is working with the planning subcommittees, the Parish Council, and many others in pursuing these Next Steps.
Capital Campaign Fund Drive:
One of the biggest needs at this time is for two volunteers to serve as co-chairs for a capital campaign fund drive. Among other things, they will be asked to assist in identifying a professional fund-raising organization to oversee fund raising activities. They will also be requested to provide leadership for the Capital Campaign Fund Drive with guidance and direction given by the professional fund-raising organization. Anyone interested in serving as a co-chair for the capital campaign fund drive is asked to contact Father McGuinness as soon as possible.
Planning Team Members:
Jorge Atiles
Walt Denero
Sister Mary Glackin
Elisabeth Hughes
Father David McGuinness
Don Ragogna
Barbara Timmons
