1. Why do we need a new Church?
We are challenged to provide a worship space that will not only serve our growing parish needs and programs, but also will attract new parishioners and activities and nourish them in faith. We need to:
The original church, built in 1948 as a temporary structure, has deteriorated. The Human Concerns Center, one of our premier ministries, housed in this building, can benefit from a larger area to maintain and enhance all its programs. Our growth is straining our current church building, originally built fifty years ago in 1953 as an auditorium. As we celebrate the new millennium we are challenged to provide a church to accommodate our parishioners. The need is even more profound due to the declining number of priests in our diocese providing ministry in our parishes.
2. What does the project consist of?
Our parish has developed plans for the construction of a new worship space. In addition, the current Church will be converted to its original intended use as a multi-purpose hall.
Highlights of the new Church include:
Highlights of the multipurpose hall:
3. Will we be able to use the current church for worship during the construction?
Yes! Our plan is to remain in the current church until the new Church is completed.
4. When will we begin to build the Church?
We are hoping for an early March or April 2006 start!
5. When will I receive my pledge reminder if I make a pledge?
We will send pledge reminders to donors at the frequency they request (i.e., monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually). They will receive a statement and a return envelope to make their payments. Donors can mail their payments to the parish, drop them off at the Parish Office, or place them in the regular collection.
6. Are there going to be memorial items designated for the new Church?
Yes, we have several items that have already been memorialized, that is given in memory of a deceased loved one. Many more items are still available. We list some of them here for your convenience and invite you to contact the parish office for more information. As a courtesy to those families who have lost a loved one in recent years, we will send a special letter regarding memorials; so if they are not members of the parish or if they are parishioners but have not participated, they can be invited to be part of the memorial listing.
Some available Memorial Items are: Builder Gift Circle, Church Seating, Memorial Gift Circle, Pew, Smaller Church Windows and Stations of the Cross.
7. Will every parishioner receive an opportunity to support the campaign?
We will invite all parishioners to pledge their sacrificial support during the campaign. Pledges can be fulfilled over a three-to-five year period. Pledges can be fulfilled through cash payments, gifts of appreciated securities and bequests.
8. Will the funds raised in this campaign be used only for our church and hall project?
Yes! A separate account has been established to deposit the funds raised for our new church and the conversion of the existing church into a multipurpose parish hall & gymnasium. These restricted funds will be used for the building project expenses exclusively and an accounting of the use of these funds will be provided to the parish at regular intervals.
9. Will the new church retain the intimacy of our existing church?
The interior design will place the furthest pews in the new church approximately the same distance of the furthest pew in our present church from the altar while providing seating to accommodate 800 people. Site lines will be unobstructed and the new church will be fully handicap accessible with entrances at ground level.
10. Can the money we collected (and continue to collect) for the new Church be used for any other purpose?
The answer is NO! The money is restricted for the purpose of building a new Church here in Our Lady of the Snows parish. It cannot be used for any other diocesan or parish projects. The money is invested in a special interest account currently paying a 4% interest rate.
11. Will the new Church have handicapped accessible features?
Yes! We will of course comply with all the laws regarding persons with disabilities. The bathrooms will be handicapped accessible. The entrance will, hopefully, be street level and the interior of the Church will have a designated area for parishioners using wheelchairs. We intend to be a user friendly Church in every aspect, especially for those with disabilities.
12. Can I make a gift to the campaign other than cash?
Yes! A range of gift possibilities exists including appreciated stock (which some parishioners have already donated); bequests in wills (which can be counted as a gift), and real estate (which can also be counted as a gift). Many of these choices also include attractive tax benefits to the donor. Please contact the parish office and we can give you more information on any of these options. We are so grateful for the sacrifices that people are making to see their dream come true! Please consider what you are doing for the future of our parish! Many thanks!