St. Mary Magdalen Church Expansion December 8, 2003 Update On November 24, 2003 Msgr. Richard Skelly and Rev. Robert Vogan, heads of the Archdiocesan Building Committee informed me that after evaluating the structure of our church by their engineers and architects, the Archdiocese would not approve any plan to add additional seating to the present church. Their reasons are that any addition to the structure would be too costly, inadequate and not meet the Archdiocesan Guidelines for renovations. Our options remain that we make necessary repairs and improvements to the present church for an estimated cost of $1.2 million dollars over the next few years or plan for new construction costing $6.1 million dollars. Either project is considered a Capital Project and must meet the approval of the Archdiocese and Township guidelines. This week several parishioners asked that we have a parish survey beyond the families interviewed by the Feasibility Study to gain more input. Others suggested that parishioners be prepared and available to listen and share their ideas in small neighborhood groups. In prayerfully discerning the variety of recommendations over the past year, the Lord encouraged me to dismiss all anxiety and rejoice that the Lord has the best plan for all of us. He gave me
this assurance of good news: GOD’S
PRESENCE,
At our town meetings and pastoral council, the following concerns and issues were voiced. I will try to answer some of these concerns now and in a mailing to all the parishioners this week. Is the
parish growing now and in the future so that we need a larger church?
Demographics: The
2000 census reveals that our parish boundaries contain 9,504 people of
which 4,165 claim to be Catholic. The
projections for 2025 for Do we
need a worship facility that holds 750 seats?
The Feasibility Study revealed that the number one concern was
more space in the church for worship, a family room for children,
additional gathering area, more parking, and restrooms.
Our October Count in 1998 was an average 1,400 for our
five masses; 1998 - 1425; 2001 – 1,676; 2003 – 1,822.
All five masses have increased attendance averaging 35%-39%
from September to June. Our
count: With
the continuing shortage of priests, the Archdiocesan Office for Clergy
informed me that I will be the only full time priest assigned to our
parish as of June 2004. This
means that soon we will need to reduce to three Sunday Masses.
Traditionally most parishioners choose to worship either at the A
750 seat church with larger areas for the altar, choir, family-cry room,
and handicap sections will allow us to welcome and worship better.
A meeting area downstairs will allows us to have the Liturgy of
the Word for first to third graders and a place to socialize before and
after Can we afford a $6.1 million dollar facility and still maintain our school and parish programs? With your great faith and generosity, we can raise additional resources and still continue to make needed improvement to our present programs and facilities. The Archdiocesan Finance Office is reviewing our eight-year parish budget to evaluate whether we can meet this goal. Out of 53 families interviewed, 48 families indicated a willingness to donate $641,000 toward the project of new construction. Since our parish meetings, six parishioners who were not interviewed pledged $450,000 if the new construction is approved. Several have already donated $175,000 and securities to receive tax benefits for 2003 and others plan to do so. I pray that this information helps you as you discern with us God’s plan for St. Mary Magdalen. Please work with the Building Committee, Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, and future committees that are needed to achieve consensus on the best plan that best serves our parish family and meets the guidelines of the Archdiocese and Township. Stay tuned to your mail for further information and the survey. The purpose of the survey is to offer you the opportunity to express your view and plan for the future. We must remember that only the Cardinal makes final decisions. I thank all who are participating in this process. I pray for your forgiveness, if I have hurt or offended anyone by not listening or learning from you.
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