Last week, I participated in the Priests Convocation, a gathering of the Archdiocesan priests to give us an opportunity to interact with each other and to listen to a number of speakers encouraging us to be renewed in hope. One of the speakers talked about how a thriving community needs to have people who have a vision of where the parish wants to be in the near and distant future, as well as the necessity of having a ten-year plan addressing spiritual and facility needs.
For the past year, we have been engaging in formulating a ten-year facilities plan that addresses our need for additional space, making the church building more visible and attractive to those passing by, and the demolition of buildings that are falling apart. As you know, I hired an architect, Dante Domenella, who is guiding us in the process. We have come up with a ten-year plan involving three phases. I met with Bishop Kane who fully supports this plan. A group of parishioners, led by Dave Hilko, have hired a consulting firm to help us do a feasibility study for the project and to map out a capital campaign.
We have a unique mission and presence here on Armitage Avenue that needs to be made known to the larger community and archdiocese. The neighborhood has four or five large parishes with beautiful churches. What sets us apart from the others is our size and our mission to be bridge-builders to those who are the forgotten and to people of other religions. But we have to secure our future amidst all these parishes and make the parish grounds a bit more inviting, creative and welcoming.
I would like to envision the parish plant being “framed” by a peace and justice walk, comprised of a series of stations depicting the men and women “saints” who have helped to build the Kingdom of Jesus. These stations could be made of bronze and would be placed where the current black fence is placed, from Seminary to Armitage and down Kenmore. Anyone walking by will be able to see these stations, read a quote associated with the person and hopefully make the connection between these stations and our Mission of outreach and bridge-building. The outer facade of the church building can be replaced with one that has a more appealing look and windows to see inside the church.
The demolition of the school building and convent will allow us to move the parking lot to the back of the facilities, making way for the construction of a new center for Catholic spirituality that would contain rooms for the formation of children and adults in the catholic faith, as well as all our parish offices; a chapel, a library equipped for computers and rooms for ongoing education. This will allow a much more friendly approach to welcoming new parishioners and for better establishing our physical presence on Armitage Avenue.
This plan is rooted in our mission: the buildings will allow people on the streets and sidewalks to encounter a Presence that speaks to the creative spirit in all people and will mark us as a Catholic presence that is open to dialogue with people of other faiths. My hope is that we will come together to make this happen. Our patron Teresa of Avila was told she couldn’t build new foundations and convents, there just wasn’t enough money or support. She is quoted as saying just give her a few pennies and a lot of praying, and she will make it happen.
Peace,
Fr. Frank
