Parish's Long-Term Vision Update

This article is an update on the long-term vision of the parish as it is related to our continued growth. First of all, we are doing pretty good in the aspect of the day-to-day finances, we are being blessed with continued increase in tithing and with the growth in student population, that helps the finances of the school. We have grown to just around 820 families and are averaging eight new families a month registering in the parish with a couple leaving as well. In the school, we have continued to grow significantly, in the current school year we have gained 42 students to bring us to a total of 346 students. The Education Saving Account (ESA) has only helped a little, as we are close to capacity in a few grades. Along with the number of students in the school, we also have around 375 students in our Religious Education programs and it keeps growing as well. That means we are over 700 children and that does not include the many children that are too young for school as well as those who are home schooled. As we continue to grow the number of people that we serve here, that means that we will continue to grow in building size. We are blessed to have 34 acres of land, so that is a wonderful thing, but even after  finishing phase II, we still need to continue to look forward to our needs, so we do not fall behind.

In our current plan, we have SIX phases of major construction projects planned at this point, Phase I and II are complete at a total cost of $11.5 million, Phase III, estimated at between $4M and $5M, will be very similar to Phase II which means more office space and six more classrooms and the intention would be to make this a middle-school wing going off to the west of the Phase II addition. Phase IV will be the big one; this will be the new worship space! The vision would be to go to the east side of the current church with another gathering space, storage, two medium size meeting rooms, more office space, and a 1,000+ seat church with an adoration chapel, and more parking as well. Phase V is seen as moving to a three-section school and would need around 12 more classrooms along with a cafeteria/flexible space and possibly a second gym. Phase VI would possibly be the senior living and other meeting space and classroom space. Along with these major projects, there will be a number of smaller ones that we will need to consider, an on-property rectory, ball fields, more parking, and maintenance buildings. I know that this is a lot, but we are looking at the continuing needs of the parish over the next 25+ years.

We are in a unique situation as a parish and kind of exciting as well. As we do grow, keep me, Fr. Ryan, the deacons, and all of the staff and parish leadership in your prayers, believe me, we all need them. Also, know that I pray for everyone in this parish every day as well, and may God bless you all.

P.S. if you are looking at an end of the year tax write-off consider a donation to the Future Phase Fund!

God bless,
Fr. Ken