Cathedral Family,
Jesus speaks words of deep reassurance in the Gospel for this weekend: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” He speaks these words right before His own passion and death. Its puzzling that He could be so serene in the face of such trouble. For Most of us, we may think that same serenity comes in the absence of struggles. Yet, the Lord is giving us an example and words to live by that is trust in the midst of the storm that brings about transformation and new life. Where do you need more trust in your life? Jesus is speaking to your heart right now.
As we begin to bring our capital campaign “Rebuild my Church” to a conclusion I want to extend gratitude to those many families who have contributed to our moment of transformation here at St. Francis. It has been a work in progress for almost a full year. It was last May that while meeting with the parish Finance Council that the proposal was made to enter into a monumental campaign. After reviewing the many delayed maintenance projects, the safety and security issues, and the challenges to prepare the parish campus for our near future…a campaign is indeed needed. The facilities audit committee assessed that a four million dollar campaign was necessary to address strategically over the next three to five years a variety of concerns: namely the HVAC in all of our buildings---mechanics that were over thirty years old.
I am grateful that beginning in a few short weeks the Cathedral HVAC will be completely rebuilt with new and efficient products. This should help both in the summer to be comfortably cool and the winter kept warm. We will also have the capability to switch back and forth with the system to provide for unexpected heat spells in the winter or cold spells during the spring and fall. Gratefully we will begin in May to rebuild the bathrooms in the back of the Cathedral. They have not been updated nor made efficient since they were built in 1963. You may know that we have often had backups and floods, sometimes having to close the bathrooms during the weekend or other events due to heavy usage. This will be resolved! We will also upgrade the ADA bathrooms in the breezeway entrance and the one in the Community Room along with the main bathrooms in the community room. The school will receive four new bathrooms over the summer and the bathrooms in both convents will be updated and made more efficient.
All of these important updates are happening because of your response to our call to Rebuild My Church! There are many other projects being prepared to begin—such as the lighting and sound in the Cathedral and the Evangelization Center on the lower level of the Rectory—a space that will be used for bible studies, conferences and adult faith formation!
As of last weekend, we have over $3,000,000, from 189 families. If you would still be willing to contribute we are all most grateful!
This coming Tuesday night we will celebrate a Cathedral Impact Night---an evening designed to discuss the parish life. We will have a Mexican style dinner in honor of Cinco de Mayo---but the discussion will focus on how can we welcome and engage young families better into our parish life? We begin gathering at 6:00 pm and will conclude at 8:30 pm. All are welcome!
As we continue into this beautiful month of May---so many parish happenings will take place! Stay with the Risen Lord! What do you do each day to hear the Good Shepherd? Come to daily mass when you can as often as possible. Spend time reading the daily Scripture. I feel so confident that the Lord wants to manifest His power and transforming glory in our midst.
In the Risen Jesus,
Father Christy