Update: November 12, 2009

This blog will serve as a progress report to the parishioners of Divine Mercy Parish on the progress made by our Building Committee.

Update: July 7, 2010

The building committee wants to bring you up to date on repairs at the SEAS site and work on the new parish site (at the corner of Sal Lentini and Joe Yenni).

We have completed work, mandated by the Archdiocese, to repair entrances and exits at the St. Elizabeth site and to fill the land around the buildings. This work, which is short term, was necessary for safety and health reasons. The cost of this work is about $140,000, which we have been able to cover from our operating funds without incurring debt. (Capital campaign funds are reserved for work on the new site.)

At the time of the merger one year ago, the Archdiocese gave us permission to fill the remainder of the entire new site — 5.5 acres had already been filled at that time. During the bid process for this project, we found out about a company working on a project at the airport, which would be able to provide discounted soil from that project to fill the new site. They were to clear the land and provide what was hoped to be most, if not all, of the fill we needed. They cleared the land, but were only able to provide a few thousand cubic yards. Since then, we have received some more donated fill from a few projects. Not a lot has been donated so far, but the building committee anticipates that there will in the near future be more construction projects in the area, with contractors looking for places nearby to bring excavated fill, and so that we have a very good chance of getting a lot more free or donated fill.

In the meantime, since our liturgical sessions in December and January, Post Architects, working closely with our building committee, and using the input from the liturgical sessions, has been working on both a master plan and a design for our new church. The master plan has the church set back from Sal Lentini Pkwy. In order to place most of the parking in a position that would channel the large majority of the people through the front entrance of the church, which is one of the community-building measures recommended by Msgr. Hedrick in our liturgical sessions. For this reason, Phase I, which includes our new church and parish center, will use about 3.3 more acres than is currently filled. For that reason, the building committee and finance council of the parish decided to fill these 3.3 acres at the market rate, and not wait for donated or free fill. The estimated cost of this fill is $530,000. July 1 was the bid date for that project.

On Wednesday, June 9, Henry Shane (a parish building committee member) and Fr. David met with Archbishop Aymond and some Archdiocesan staff to discuss financing for Phase I (new church and parish center) and Phase II (new school). That discussion will continue through the summer to come up with a workable plan which we will present to the Archdiocese Finance Council at their September meeting.

How are we going to pay for the project? The Archbishop and his staff understand that our project will require concessions from the Archdiocese, and have indicated a willingness to work with us.

The plan, as it stands now, is to pay for the project with (a) capital campaign funds the parish already has (about $1 million), (b) a new capital campaign, which will not begin until after construction has begun, (c) loans from the Archdiocese, to be repaid using (1) proceeds from the sale of our current two sites (NOL and SEAS) and (2) our substantial surplus income, which is estimated to rise to about $500,000 annually after all construction is finished and the two current sites are sold. A large surplus income (in addition to capital campaign contributions, and before expenses on the new site) was budgeted for this fiscal year also ($341,450), and we will probably come very close to this amount. Although our ordinary income has been running lower than budgeted, as shown in our income report each week (p. 2), our extraordinary income has been running higher and our expenses have been a lot lower. I want to thank all parishioners for their commitment to stewardship, which has made possible such a large surplus income.

The church, as currently being designed, has a floor plan in the shape of a cross (see below). It incorporates some design elements which suggest the red and white rays of mercy, reminding us of the blood and water which came from Jesus’ side on the cross, and which represent the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Baptism.

Please continue to pray for this project!

Update: July 28, 2010

Landfill Progress:

Update: August 31, 2010

Novena for Our New Church & School - September 12-20

Hard work has been done over the past many months in planning our new church. The next step will be the most critical. On Tuesday, September 21, members of the building committee will be meeting with the Archdiocese Finance Council. This meeting will involve our plans to finance the building of the Church, school and support buildings. A successful meeting will allow us to proceed with finalizing the church and plan the actual construction of the church to begin as soon as possible.

 Brothers and sisters it is so important that we all pray for a successful meeting.  We all must ask our Lord and Our Lady to provide wisdom and guidance.  To that end we will be holding a Novena starting on Sunday, September 12 through Monday, September 20.  Special prayers will be offered during all Masses and we hope all will participate.

 More details will be coming and you can check back on this site for additional information. During the nine days we will be asking all parishioners to say the Divine Mercy Chaplet and any additional prayers, such as the Rosary, and make other offerings such as fasting and good works.

We know the power of devotion to the Divine Mercy and of prayer to Our Lady. We ask that God’s will be made know for us, and that our parish will move forward to the greater glory of God.

Update: September 6, 2010

Novena Update. 

For nine days (Sept 12-20), at the end of all weekend and weekday Masses, we will be saying the Divine Mercy chaplet.  Please plan on staying a few minutes longer as a community to pray for the intention of a successful meeting with the Archdiocese Finance Council on our plan to finance the building of our new church and school.

The chaplet is said using the beads of the rosary.  Cards will be available in the back of church with the chaplet prayers on the back.  Also in the back of church is a sign up sheet for times to come to SEAS for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the last day of the novena, Monday Sept. 20^th.  Plan on spending time in prayer with our Lord during this novena.  Adorers are needed each hour from 8am to 2pm.  The Novena will end with Benediction at 2:30 at SEAS.

For those who cannot attend weekday Masses, please bring the Divine Mercy card home and say the chaplet with your family every day during the Novena. It only takes 10 minutes and our prayers will join together as one to Our Lord and Our Lady. Make other acts of good works and special sacrifices such as fasting during this novena. 

 We hope all will participate.