Fr. Simon's Letter - October 17, 2021

It is celebration time! After four plus years since we first broke ground on August 26, 2018, we gather to give thanks to God who has blessed our parish with the much needed gathering spaces and improvements to our buildings to serve our growing needs. We will lift our hearts in gratitude and praise for our generous donors, our dedicated team of architects, engineers, contractors, construction crew, members of the Finance Council, staff and all who in some way or another helped realize this dream.

Let me take this opportunity to present to you all we have accomplished through the grace of God.

• Lower Level – updated with new flooring, and security.
• First Floor – three new classrooms and one renovated classroom, new bathrooms for preschoolers and adults.
• Second Floor – new preschool classroom with new bathrooms for preschoolers and a new exit on the west side of the building. Renovation of the ‘Fireplace’ room, new bathroom for adults and a new small group meeting room.
• Third Floor – A meeting space for our SPRED program with a kitchenette and bathrooms, an additional meeting room named the Council Room and adult bathrooms.

The entire Benedict Center building has new windows throughout almost all of the building, all new electrical wiring, plumbing, and HVAC system, enhanced fire and security features and elevator access for the elderly and the disabled. This was the largest and most costly phase of our capital campaign.
 

• Keene Building – New offices for the Assistant Principal and the Religious Education Department.
• Renovation of the space formerly used by the 4-year old preschool, retaining the kitchen, and adding a new bathroom, for school functions and groups like the Men’s Club, Women’s Auxiliary and QASPA.
• Lemont Building – New music room in place of the classrooms north of the gym.
• Moved and modernized the library to the former Holy Name room and added air conditioning.
• New science lab/classroom on the lower level.
• Renovated and air-conditioned the old science lab and the adjoining classroom (rooms 205 and 206).
• New, dedicated faculty lounge.

• A new parish center in the former Rose Room, restoring the room to its original purpose. 
• A new technology room and a new special resource room. 
• Enhancements to the lobby of the Lemont building and the first floor.

As we began this massive project, our goal was to air-condition all spaces we addressed and bring the buildings up to code requirements that have changed since they were first completed. We also prepared for future needs by doubling our electric power supply to the campus.

There are two people in particular that I want to thank for their dedication and hard work throughout this project. I especially want to thank Jerry Farrell, our business manager, who sat alongside me during every meeting and helped oversee the project. I also want to extend my gratitude to Deb Bolash, our project manager, who brought her expertise to us beginning with the second phase of the project which coincided with the repair of the bell tower. Jerry and Deb have been invaluable to the ongoing development and completion. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

This is a time to give thanks to God and to celebrate his blessings. Join us this Sunday, October 17 after the 9am Mass until 1pm to see the work God has accomplished through us!!

Blessings!!