Dear Brothers and Sisters,
You may have seen the recent article in the print edition of the Catholic Review that highlighted our renovation project. An online version of the article can be found here. Please take a look!
The Ceiling Remains the Focus
As the renovation work continues to progress in the church, the primary focus has remained on the ceiling, where the contractors are finishing the installation of new ductwork and diffusers for the heating and air conditioning system. At the same time, electricians are continuing the installation of the new light fixtures while new security, fire alarm, and audio-visual wiring are being run.
As soon as the wiring is complete, the drywall crew will begin closing up the ceiling. In the photos below, you can see the drywall stacked and ready for installation and the new linear diffusers and light fixture housings that have been installed.
New Boiler System Is Up and Running
Just in time for the blast of cold we experienced the other week, crews completed work on the new boiler, which is now providing much more efficient heat to the church than the old boiler. The shiny new exhaust pipe extending from the mechanical room is visible on the back of the church.
New Pew Sample
New Holland Church Furniture, located outside Lancaster, PA, is handcrafting our new church pews. They are one of the oldest and most respected church pew manufacturers in the U.S.
New Holland has provided a sample of the new pews that will be installed in our church in early summer. The sample is located in the Parish Activities Center's entrance Gallery. Please take a look and have a seat to get a feel for the new pews.
The new pews have a more comfortable ergonomic back and seat than the original pews, and the kneelers are much lighter and quieter.
As I shared when we first introduced the renovation plan, our new pews will continue to have solid wood backs and seats. After discussing ongoing maintenance and cleaning, we opted not to install cushions on the pew seats. (Serving 12 years in Ellicott City, where the church had pew cushions, I can testify to the ongoing battle of maintaining clean and hygienic cushions, especially when a parish is blessed with many young children.)
Please note: there are two vinyl colors on the kneeler of the pew sample. We chose the darker sample to complement the wood's stain.
Projectors and Screens
When we first presented the plans for our church renovation, I shared that we wanted to install screens and projectors discreetly, keeping them hidden when not in use but available when needed.
The layout of our church posed some challenges regarding the best location to install the screens. After exploring several options, we arrived at a solution that will provide coverage for most of the church while not obscuring the sanctuary area when the screens are in use. Once installation begins, we will include photos in an update showing where they will be located.
Exploring A New ADA Family Restroom
As work continues, I wanted to share that we are exploring the idea of creating a new ADA family restroom near the current men's and women's bathrooms in the Church Gathering Space.
A new family restroom would be useful in situations where an individual needs extra care or assistance from a family member or caregiver while using the restroom. It would afford them more space and privacy than the current restrooms.
We've asked the architect and contractors to help us determine whether it's feasible and what the cost might be. We are also investigating the cost of a simple renovation of the current men's and women's restrooms with new tile and fixtures.
Once we receive the cost estimates and discuss the details with our Parish Finance Committee, we will report back to the parish. In the meantime, please feel free to share any thoughts or comments with me on these ideas.
Dedication Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Based on the current project timeline, we have asked the Archbishop to hold Wednesday, August 20, 2025, as our dedication date. This date would allow us to move out of the PAC just before the start of the new school year. A midweek dedication is a bit like a "soft opening" that gives us a few extra days before welcoming the large crowds for Sunday Mass. The Dedication Mass with the Archbishop would most likely be celebrated in the late afternoon or very early evening. We will share more details as they develop!
Please Continue to Pray!
If the Lord does not build the house,
in vain do its builders labor.
These words remind us of the importance of prayer and of keeping the Lord at the center of all we do. Please continue to pray for our renovation work, that the Lord will be at the center of all we do!
God bless!
Sincerely in Christ,
