Planning Our Future Together Progress Report

 

We Haven’t Forgotten You!  It has been a while since the last progress report given at Masses shortly before the end-of- the year holidays.  That has not meant that things have been on “hold.”  On the contrary, a great deal has been going on, and the Planning Team is pleased to share the following with you.

 

·         Reports from all of the subcommittees have been received and summarized.

·         Draft immediate, short-term, and long-term goals are being developed that include (1) projected costs, (2) the individuals/groups who will be primarily responsible for implementing agreed-upon goals, and (3) time-frames and strategies for implementing these goals.

·         Conceptual plans and cost estimates are being developed for each of three facilities scenarios: (A) Renovate on the current site and do major repairs, (B) Relocate and  sell the existing property and build on a new site,  (C) Rebuild the church and school at current site. 

·         A Site Investigation Committee has been established to identify potential sites should Scenario B be recommended.  This committee has established criteria that reflects the values of the parish as expressed in the Planning Our Future Together needs assessment, and has identified more that 15 possible sites.  Some of these sites have been eliminated since they do not meet the stated needs. The rest of the sites will be ranked in accordance with the criteria.

·         A Capital Campaign Fund Raising Committee has been established and has been meeting regularly.  Among other things, committee members have visited parishes similar to St. Joseph that have conducted capital campaign drives.  They have also been trying to determine what would be a realistic capital campaign fundraising goal for St. Joseph parish/school.

·         Church/school income and expenditures over the past two years have been reviewed and cost estimates for operating expenses for any new and/or renovated facilities are also be researched.

 

Next Steps

Once all of the tasks identified above have been completed, the Planning Team will share its recommendations with the Parish Council for its review, comments, and discussion.  Shortly after this meeting, it is anticipated that the Planning Team will meet with the parish and a draft of the Planning Our Future Together Report will be shared with the entire parish and school community.  It is anticipated that this meeting will be held before the end of March.

 

The Planning Team remains very grateful to the planning subcommittees and so many others in the St. Joseph Church community who have been working so diligently to make this planning initiative the great success that we know it will be.