Welcome to Fr. René Constanza, CSP, here to preach the
Annual Paulist Appeal. We are happy
to have him back for a visit! And I hope you will all be supportive of the
Paulist Fathers with your prayers (especially for vocations!) and your
financial gifts. THANKS!
Let me update you on the renovation project of our
church and rectory. The front half of the first floor of the rectory, which had
in the past been the church offices and had become the nursery and a collection
of various Paulists’ personal items and junk, has been totally gutted and
cleared out. Following that, asbestos abatement took place after the carpet was
ripped out and under it was discovered the original 1953 floor tile, containing
asbestos. That is now all gone. Now construction in that part of the rectory
has begun, putting back the walls of the nursery, including a new bathroom in
the nursery, and clearing out the rest of the space. I foresee this new space
as being used for a number of activities: a bride’s room, place for families to
gather prior to funerals, meeting room for small committees and study groups,
and space for children’s faith formation or Children’s Liturgy of the Word. The
nursery will continue in this space as well.
In addition, the masons have been doing a lot of
testing about the cleaning and repair of the stone on the sides where we are
not replacing the stone. New stone will be only on the front of the church and
rectory. The other three sides will be cleaned, patched and sealed. The masons
have tested several products to see how they would work at cleaning our stone,
and testing various options for patching and replacing pieces where needed. To
see some of the test stones, step outside into the small alcove between the
church and rectory (out the handicapped entrance) and look at the church wall. That
spot was selected to test since it will be totally covered by the interior wall
of the new lobby leading to the new bathrooms. Pull tests were also conducted
on several types of anchors for the new stone, and happily, the least expensive
option did the best.
In March, scaffolding will be erected in front of the
church. Starting at the top and working down, the old stone will be removed. It
is expected to not come off in blocks, but in irregular pieces. Several
parishioners have asked about acquiring the stone, and if they are willing to
haul it away, they are welcome to it.
Once all the stone is removed, then beginning at the
bottom and working up to the top the new stone will be installed. The trickiest
and longest piece will be the tower.
As we get into the actual construction I will give you
further updates. Please remember the workers in your prayers.
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