There has been some discussion on
projects here at St. Michael. Some of those are short term projects that are
needed for safety, maintenance and the welfare of our parishioners. Others look
more to the future with needs and wants.
One short term project that has been
discussed and researched involves turning our current reconciliation room into
a handicapped rest room. This would provide access to a rest room without going
downstairs to the basement which some people find difficult.
Mr. Joe Ryan from the Diocesan Financial
Office has met with our finance committee. Mr. Brian McMichael also from the
Diocesan Office, has met with some people in looking at the space. A drawing of
the proposed rest room has been submitted to the Diocese for approval. This is
all necessary as we would be changing the liturgical spaces of St. Michael and
the cost may reach the threshold set by the Diocese for approval by them.
The next steps are to review the
project, its purpose, cost, and funding with our own Pastoral and Finance
Councils and then submit the following as required by the Diocese:
1.
Three bids for the project. It is suggested
that we hire an architect to prepare the project so that all the contractors
are bidding on the exact same project. The bids need to be submitted by the
last day of the prior month to be reviewed by the Diocesan Building and
Improvement Committee meeting at their monthly meeting.
2.
We submit a (diocesan)
building construction permit and explain how we are to pay for the project.
Once we have approval from the
Diocese, we begin to make the change. We will use the old confessional unless
or until the pastoral council\planning group includes a new reconciliation
room.
There are many other things which I
hope the pastoral council can help lead in terms of a more long-term nature.
The rise of the “Nones and Dones” is radically diminishing all churches,
including St. Michael. We are also
experiencing many other changes which will continue to affect us at St. Michael.
Our demographics will continue to change. Our Baptisms over the last several
years are about half Anglo and half Hispanic. Our First Communions and
Confirmations are predominantly Hispanic. We will be a bicultural parish for a
long time.
I would suggest that we get an
outside consultant who can help guide us in our study, reflections, and
planning our ministries and programs for the future. We might begin by doing a
SWOT analysis (looking at our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and
threats). It will be very important that we do a very broad discussion in the
parish including representatives of all age groups, Anglos and Hispanics, various
ministries, and the school.
The principal and the advisory school
board have been working with Jared Weidner in developing a five-year plan for
the school. The primary purpose has been to look at the needs from a financial
perspective, but finances are also driven by the educational needs.
But as we do this, we are not looking
for spectators. We are not doing a preference poll. We are looking for the ways
in which we need to grow as a Church. That means we are asking ourselves, What
is it that we need to do together? It
includes asking, “What are you willing to do?”
I look forward to continuing the work
begun so many years ago in bringing our faith to the Plymouth Community. By sharing our thoughts, ideas and efforts
and seeking guidance through prayer we can continue to make St. Michael Church
the place of faith we all want and need.
Father
John
