CHURCH REFRESH - SUGGESTION BOX |
Saint Mary Parish, Ridgefield, Connecticut
Share your ideas for our Church refresh/refurbish!
For some time, we have been talking and thinking about our historic Church, a church to which we are all very attached. During our 2010 strategic planning process, the idea of expanding or building a new Church surfaced. About 3 years ago a local architectural firm helped us do more thinking and to develop several architectural options, based on a very extensive Parish Survey.
Last year, as you know, we did a feasibility study. And a lot more consultation and thinking followed, including the preparation of preliminary drawings on how to accomplish our expansion goals as well as a careful and prayerful discernment process.
Recently our Parish Team and I met with Bishop Caggiano, and I informed our Bishop that we will be deferring the Master Plan to expand our existing Church. There are several reasons for my decision. Two of the major ones are:
Recently our Parish Team and I met with Bishop Caggiano, and I informed our Bishop that we will be deferring the Master Plan to expand our existing Church. There are several reasons for my decision. Two of the major ones are:
- our own need to increase our Parish Offertory to help meet our operating costs
- second, and just as important, is the fact that very soon, our Diocese will be launching a major Diocesan Capital Campaign to support the Church’s mission through all of its charitable and educational efforts, ministries and programs. Some of the monies raised through the Diocesan Campaign will return to the parishes. However, as you can imagine, it would be difficult to handle two major fundraising campaigns at the same time. So we are deferring our Church expansion project.
- second, and just as important, is the fact that very soon, our Diocese will be launching a major Diocesan Capital Campaign to support the Church’s mission through all of its charitable and educational efforts, ministries and programs. Some of the monies raised through the Diocesan Campaign will return to the parishes. However, as you can imagine, it would be difficult to handle two major fundraising campaigns at the same time. So we are deferring our Church expansion project.
At the same time, I also want you to know that we will be moving forward to refurbish or refresh our aging Church, dedicated over 120 yeas ago back in 1896. To do that work, we hope to use funds from the sale of our rental properties. Given the age of our Church and the use it gets, there are many things that need to be addressed.
In the Fall, we will be scheduling an open Parish or Town Hall Meeting to talk about those items in more detail. We have also set up this link to receive any suggestions you may have.
Thank you for your input. It is greatly appreciated!
Msgr. Bronkiewicz
Msgr. Bronkiewicz
Pastor