St. Peter Claver Catholic Church - Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Is it possible to create a prayer mediation labyrinth in the gathering space?
Excellent question! Someone else had a similar request. We will ask our liturgical consultant to design something and see if there is space that will allow such prayer while still meeting the needs of the other many uses for the gathering space. In doing so we want to make sure that the prayer experience isn’t hampered as well. (top)

As I was looking through an old SPC Diamond Jubilee book I discovered that the 1955 school cornerstone contains documents and other articles. Will these articles and the 1888 cornerstone also there be used in the new building?
Yes. We will salvage anything we can from the school building and incorporate what we can into the new building. Though we do not have final plans yet we will have a dedicated space for not only remembering the history of our once SPC School but also include historical artifacts from the church. This is another benefit of having a large gathering space. We can gather not only as parishioners of today; we can also gather the memories of our past in ways we can remember and celebrate those family members, priest, religious sisters, and lay leaders that sacrificially gave us what we have today. (top)

How big is (the building project) going to be?
If you are a visual person the best thing is to look at the drawings on the wall at the parking lot entrance. The new construction will begin from the north side of church going north toward the alley, ending a few yards from the alley. The west (parking lot) side will follow the line of the current building and garages. The east side facing 11th Street will come out to where the current rector building is now. There are two floors planned; one level with the parking lot, and a second at our current basement level. The hill on the 11th Street side will be cut out so that side of the building is actually street level. From 11th Street it will look like a two story building and from the parking lot it will look like a one story. The only difference will be that the roof line over the gathering space will be raised to allow for natural light thus saving on utilities as well as creating a space that, without being grandiose in nature will be an appropriate transition space into our church worship area. We want those entering the gathering space to know and feel that they are entering a sacred area and not the lobby of sports arena or airport. The design and look of the different areas of the buildings is crucial especially when creating space for religious, in particular Catholic, use even if it is “only” a gathering space.

From an analytical perspective the new construction will be 22,800 square feet which includes garage space. To put this into perspective and utility cost savings, the current unused school building alone is 30,700 sq. ft. not to mention the current rectory. Can you begin to imagine the enormous utility cost savings in addition to a new building that will be under one roof, better designed for our use? (top)

I don’t think so! What’s wrong with buildings when money and all is so short and older people don’t have the money to help pay!
Wanting to honor all questions or statements offered we will printed all submitted. It is our belief that the above issue has been addressed in previous bulletins. Please check out our website or call the parish office for any missed bulletins that may have answered your question. If there is still something that hasn’t been addressed please ask a specific question that hasn’t been discussed.

PS Joan if you get any calls or someone stopping in asking questions that have already been addressed please keep a running tally of Q & A that you can print out for them. They may not have gotten the bulletin that addressed the question. If there is a further question that hasn’t been addressed please invite them to ask or clarify one that I might have misunderstood. We will print any question/statement submitted even if a repeat but We also provide the same answer as above. (top)

There are so many talented people here at SPC. Could we use some “sweat equity” in the project, staining woodwork, painting, etc.?
Absolutely where appropriate. (top)

When are you going to start building?
We have to seek and receive approval of our parish council & then the archbishop to move forward into a capital campaign. We must have at least 50% of the estimated cost pledged AND cash in hand before any construction can begin. The remaining amount must also be pledged or a plan in place to cover the remaining cost. (top)

Will the parish borrow money if the amount needed is not raised?
We will not put the parish in long term debt. We will only build what the amount pledged and received allows. If any monies are borrowed they will be only for cash flow during construction and only if needed. Any such short term construction loan will be paid off at the end off the pledge drive which is usually three years. (top)

How much money is going to be used in the construction?
If you mean what is the expected cost of the project it is approximately $2.8 million. If this is not what you are asking please restate your question. (top)

Is the parking lot going to be in the same spot?
Yes. We will lose the small side lot but we will be more than making up for the lost spaces by expanding the lot toward 12th Street and reconfiguring the parking stalls. No one will have to worry about being parked in. The flow in and out will also improve drastically. Traffic will flow in and out from Clara Ave. The parking lot will also be lowered slightly to allow level entrance to the new gathering space. Currently there is a bit of an incline from the lot to the church which is at times difficult for those using walkers and any that are not as surefooted as they once were. (top)

According to the repair cost (or new construction) estimate of $2.8M I can see where this amount will rise to approximately $5M with interest. We have about 1,200 registered units in the parish. Our weekly average income is about $11,000 provided by about half the registered members. Based on the impossible number of 1,200 you’re asking for $4,000+ from each one.
There will be little if any interest accumulated in the project because we will not borrow money to accomplish our goals. We build what we can afford. Our Parish Council and Finance Commission, with the leadership of Deacon Mike, have worked hard to bring the parish out of deficit spending. We will not put the parish back in the red with this construction. In fact, outside of the obvious up front costs; the new construction will save money in utility costs. Yes, we are being asked to do a lot but we must all trust in the Holy Spirit and give whatever we in faith believe we can give. There are a few parishioners that are in a position to give sizable amounts while still taking care of their needs. In any capital campaign the successful completion will only happen if we have those few step up and give in a way that allows the rest of the parishioners to give just as sacrificially but at much more modest amounts. (top)

When I look out over the Mass on a Sunday all I see is gray heads of older people and very few kids. Many of us have already paid for a new school & church remodelings. Now you expect us to pay again with no assigned priest, no school, and very little chance for church growth. It’s asking a lot.
Please remember that we have three Masses and each has a different mix of ages. Yes, there are many older parishioners however; we have seen an increase of younger families in the last two years or so. The 10:00 Mass is the most attended and also has the most young families and children/youth. With all due respect we do have an assigned priest. Fr. Dick is assigned to SPC as an assisting priest. All sacramental ministry continues on. We also have a fulltime pastoral leader in Deacon Mike. Though it is not the same as having a priest pastor our parish has thrived and grown in the last five years. As well SPC does have a school. It is a tri-parish school called Christ Child Academy (CCA). It just happens to be located on the IC campus. We have expanded several ministries to involve younger parishioners. Because most attend 10:00 Mass if you do not attend that Mass you may not see the change. We are growing and bringing younger parishioners and families back. It is slow but it is steady. (top)

Why don’t you give everyone a questionnaire as they come to church and ask if they are for or against this project? This would give better input of what the people think.
Over the past two years we have asked for parishioner input. During our Strategic Planning, we surveyed every member of the parish commissions and asked them to gather ten additional responses from other parishioners. During Mass, Deacon Mike also invited anyone who was not asked to fill out a survey if they wished. We also held three all parish listening and planning meetings for parishioners to give input. Deacon Mike promoted the meetings for several weeks letting everyone know how very important the meetings were and how vital parishioner input was as we plan for our future. It was from all of this parishioner input that this building project was developed. (top)

I would like to see votive candles included in plan.
We currently have votive candles and four shrines or altars that they may be placed upon request. As far as free standing votive candles that individuals can light themselves that is a decision yet to be made. Your request will be considered and looked at within the plans. (top)

Is there going to be a nursery/looking glass for church?
There will be clear glass doors going into the gathering space that anyone with a young child that needs to take him/her out of church will be able to see and hear the liturgy. (top)

If our parish is assigned a priest in the future where will he live?
That is an important question that we have not taken lightly. Most priests today prefer to live in homes or apartments that are not on church grounds. There are also rectories within town that are not being used (or under used) that would possible be another alternative. (top)

Is the existing kitchen going to be remodeled with new equipment—really needed?
If there is enough money raised we will remodel the kitchen. (top)

Why all the classrooms? School is at IC—leave it there. R.E. should be at IC also! Have a garage sale for existing items from school building.
We have no intention of bringing back any grades of CCA. Religious Education for all three south side parishes is currently at Ss Cyril & Methodius. We are paying rent to do so. We are also looking to the future not knowing if the space at Ss Cyril & Methodius will be available in years to come. There could also be the possibility that the tri-parish Religious Education and Youth Ministry programs could be located here. With the current building usage at IC having Religious Education classes there is not practical. As well there would no room for needed office space, storage and no space for the older high school students. We will use or sell what ever we can from the existing school building. (top)

Our church has access for the handicapped, why do we need an elevator? We also have Van Treeck Hall for meetings. Why do we need all this extra room? You could build a building half that size.
The church worship space is handicap accessible but Van Treeck is not unless they go around to the 11th Street entrance. To have to go from church and around, especially in inclement weather is neither easy nor just. The main parish office is accessible but none of the individual offices are not. If an individual needs to talk or a family needs to plan a funeral for a loved one there is no place that is private and accessible without encountering a flight of stairs. Other than the new gathering space most of the church-level construction is office and meeting space. (top)

Why do we need a gathering space?
The gathering space will serve several uses. It will allow a space for parishioners to meet one another before and after Mass to talk. Thus help with keeping the church proper more quiet for personal prayer. We can also have coffee and doughnuts in this space. This new gathering space will also be used for visitations for funerals and thus allow us to have the proper funeral rites at the beginning of the liturgies by not having to have the casket in the church for visitation. We can also move the parish library and store to this space where more people can use it. This is also true for the sale of SCRIP after Mass. The gathering space will have glass doors to the worship space to allow parents to take their children out of church when they are being disruptive while still being able to see and hear Mass. The space will also serve as overflow with chairs able to be set up for Christmas and Easter and other large Masses. (top)

Why not wait to see what parishes are going to close within five years. Are you sure this parish is going to stay open?
No one can be absolutely sure of anything as far as which parishes may or may not close. That is one reason why any major building project has to be OK’d by the Archbishop. Seating capacity is a major factor in the parishes that remain open. St. Peter Claver is the largest of the south-side parishes. As well, parishes that are proactive and looking toward the future while meeting the needs of the present ministries are the ones that remain open. In our own lives, as our personal needs change, we either remodel our houses or move to houses or condos that meet our current needs. Our buildings are in need of change as our needs as a parish family have changed. (top)

What do you estimate each registered family will have to pledge in order to cover the proposed cost of the reconstruction plus bank interest?
It is very difficult to set a pledge amount for each family because we know that some families are more able than others to pledge larger amounts. We will be taking a totally Stewardship approach which means we will give you all the facts, ask you to prayerful look at your current needs/bills, money invested and saved, areas in lifestyle spending that might be able to cut be back or eliminated for a short period of time. And finally, to look at the many gifts God has entrusted to you and the love you have for St. Peter Claver, and faithfully pledge the amount that God is asking of you. This project is God driven. The amount of money God instills in each one of our parishioners to pledge in gratitude and faith will be what we build with. Not a dollar more. As we have said before St Peter Claver will not be borrowing money therefore no bank interest needs to be factored in. (top)

What about the cost of maintenance and additional help needed for this purpose such as insurance, utilities (heat/air conditioning)! Our Medicare supplement doubled last year.
There may need to be additional hours paid for cleaning but they would be less than when we had the school building occupied (actual maintenance materials would also be less). We would be saving money in utility costs over the buildings we currently operate due to smaller actual size of buildings (new construction is smaller than current school and rectory buildings) and energy efficient construction. Insurance costs would not increase. Regarding those on fixed incomes or those that in all honesty are doing the best they can financially in support of the parish…give what you can. For some that might be a gift a prayer rather than treasure. That said we need to be honest and know that there are a number of retired individuals that have worked hard and have put money away and are doing well financially. In fact there are a few that because they have worked at a time when for many years there were jobs that didn’t require college educations (and the expense to pay for such) paid a living wage to support a family. Our retired generations also value their faith, their church and their parish. Who better to leave a legacy of faith to the next generations? (top)

Why the necessity of so many classrooms and offices? What daily use will they be put to? Who will be using these?
The offices would be occupied by the Pastor/Parish Director, Pastoral Associate, Dir. of Religious Education (DRE)/Youth Ministry (YM), Dir. of Music & Liturgy, Business Office, and Secretarial/reception Office. The classrooms will be for St. Peter Claver RE & YM classes as well as Sacramental classes. They may also be used by IC & SSCM. They may choose to enter into a collaborative effort in building this addition thus truly making the space Ti-Parish. Or they may choose to rent space. We are talking with IC/SSCM to see how we can work together to better serve the needs of the Catholic community of south Sheboygan. We have to plan ahead. (top)

Can we have a Big Screen TV in the basement so families with children can watch the Mass while taking care of the children? Cool idea. Thank you.
Not likely because the new gathering space will serve the same purpose. Our goal is to keep families together in church and help the children to learn how to worship within community. For the times when very young children need to be taken out of the church proper the Mass will be able to heard and seen from the gathering space. St. Peter Claver has never had a “crying room” because we believe in family worship. (top)

If you take the steps away from the sanctuary you will ruin the church. Put a railing or two there and let it as it is.
We agree that putting a ramp the full length of the current stairs going up into the sanctuary would ruin the aesthetics of our beautiful church. There are no plans to do so. A ramp is being carefully designed so that it will not be the 1^st, 2^nd or even 3^rd thing your eye is drawn to when you come into church and especially as you look at the sanctuary. The ramp will be off to one side and will blend into the sanctuary. We hope parishioners are not thinking the worst, but will trust that any decisions being made are being done with great care, forethought and preservation of the sanctity of our worship as Catholics and as a parish. (top)

Why can’t we hear the organ? It was so much better than the piano? We don’t have to overdo or outdo other churches [speaking of the total project]. One of these days Bethlehem Church will own our property. We aren’t growing. Who is going to pay for all this?
The organ is still played. However, as it has been each summer when it gets hot in church (much, much hotter in the choir loft) the piano is played rather than the organ. We are not abandoning the organ. In fact, Frederick was hired not only for his deep spirituality, love of the Church, directing and piano skills, but also for his decades of experience playing the organ. What does the statement about our neighboring church mean or imply? Bethlehem is a fraction the size of our parish yet they in faith added on to their building. By whose calculations are we not growing? The facts show that we are stable and growing ever so slightly over the last few years which is a trend different from the years previous. Who is going to pay for the construction? That really is in God’s hands and in each of our hearts. Please do not think we are being flippant in saying this. Believe me this is as much of a walk in faith for the leadership of our parish as it is for the rest of the parish family. All we can do is listen and follow, and then build with whatever is faithfully given. (top)

When can we start to donate?
If, and hopefully when, we receive permission from the archbishop to move forward in raising the money (we will know by the end of November), we will then formally enter a capital campaign process this January. It would be about April before parishioners are asked to make their financial pledge and begin giving. (top)

Please give an estimate of how long it will take to raise the money for the project.
Typically the payment of pledges in a capital campaign runs for three years. We must have at least half of the money for the project collected before moving forward with building. The ideal timeline would be: May, 2008 begin receiving pledge payments; begin building March, 2010; complete building by March, 2011 in time for Easter. However, as we all know nothing usually goes as planned when it comes to building. (top)

In one of your responses it was stated that the entire proposed church modifications would be accomplished without the need to borrow money (no interest). How will this be done?
It was decided by the parish council when we first began talking about the project that we would not borrow any money. The cost will come from a modest amount of parish savings and the majority of the rest from parishioners’ pledging over and above weekly Stewardship of Treasure giving (weekly collection). As stated previously, the pledged amount will be over a three year period. For large capital needs most parishes have to finance the costs in this way. Some parishes will also borrow money for any shortfalls in pledged and collected money that doesn’t meet the cost of the project. We at SPC will not borrow money if pledges do not meet the cost of the project. Through the several year Strategic Planning Process parishioners have said that we as a parish need the building changes that are being proposed. If we find that the cost of the proposed project doesn’t match the amount parishioners are able or willing to give then we change the plans to meet the dollar amount pledged. Because of the Archdiocesan Capital Campaign taking place at the same time we may design a fourth year for parishioners to give but everyone will be aware of that at the beginning. There is no one in the parish that wants a 10, 15, or 20 year mortgage hanging over our heads with constantly hearing we need to give more to meet budget because of the debt. In the truest sense of Stewardship we will step out in faith trusting that each parishioner prayerfully discerns what God is asking of them and then honoring the sacrificial amount pledged and received, move forward building with that amount. Our parish lay leadership and many other parishioners believe we need to move forward to remain a vibrant parish and continue serving God among the Southside Tri-parish configuration as it is today. Together in faith we will decide what the end result will be. (top)


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	Join SPC School Mass Bulletin Strategic Plan Building Plans Sacraments Religious Ed. Youth Ministries Music Ministries Hmong Ministries Stewardship - Time/Talent - Treasure Events/Meetings Endowment Parish Staff Parish Council FAQ Virtual Tour	Questions and Answers Is it possible to create a prayer mediation labyrinth...? As I was looking through an old SPC Diamond Jubilee book...? How big is (the building project) going to be? I don’t think so! What’s wrong with buildings when money...? Could we use some “sweat equity”...? When are you going to start building? Will the parish borrow money if the amount needed . . . ? How much money is going to be used in the construction? Is the parking lot going to be in the same spot? According to the repair cost [or new construction] estimate...? When I look out over the Mass on a Sunday all I see...? Is the Tabernacle moving? Why don’t you give everyone a questionnaire...? I would like to see votive candles included in plan. Is there going to be a nursery/looking glass for church? If our parish is assigned a priest in the future where will he live? Is the existing kitchen going to be remodeled with new . . . ? Why all the classrooms...? Why do we need an elevator...? Why do we need all this extra room...? Why do we need a gathering space? Are you sure this parish is going to stay open? What do you estimate each registered family will have to pledge...? What about the cost of maintenance...? Why the necessity of so many classrooms and offices? Can we have a Big Screen TV in the basement...? If you take the steps away from the sanctuary...? Why can’t we hear the organ? When can we start to donate? Please give an estimate of how long it will take to raise the money ? In one of your responses it was stated . . . How will this be done? Is it possible to create a prayer mediation labyrinth in the gathering space? Excellent question! Someone else had a similar request. We will ask our liturgical consultant to design something and see if there is space that will allow such prayer while still meeting the needs of the other many uses for the gathering space. In doing so we want to make sure that the prayer experience isn’t hampered as well. (top) As I was looking through an old SPC Diamond Jubilee book I discovered that the 1955 school cornerstone contains documents and other articles. Will these articles and the 1888 cornerstone also there be used in the new building? Yes. We will salvage anything we can from the school building and incorporate what we can into the new building. Though we do not have final plans yet we will have a dedicated space for not only remembering the history of our once SPC School but also include historical artifacts from the church. This is another benefit of having a large gathering space. We can gather not only as parishioners of today; we can also gather the memories of our past in ways we can remember and celebrate those family members, priest, religious sisters, and lay leaders that sacrificially gave us what we have today. (top) How big is (the building project) going to be? If you are a visual person the best thing is to look at the drawings on the wall at the parking lot entrance. The new construction will begin from the north side of church going north toward the alley, ending a few yards from the alley. The west (parking lot) side will follow the line of the current building and garages. The east side facing 11th Street will come out to where the current rector building is now. There are two floors planned; one level with the parking lot, and a second at our current basement level. The hill on the 11th Street side will be cut out so that side of the building is actually street level. From 11th Street it will look like a two story building and from the parking lot it will look like a one story. The only difference will be that the roof line over the gathering space will be raised to allow for natural light thus saving on utilities as well as creating a space that, without being grandiose in nature will be an appropriate transition space into our church worship area. We want those entering the gathering space to know and feel that they are entering a sacred area and not the lobby of sports arena or airport. The design and look of the different areas of the buildings is crucial especially when creating space for religious, in particular Catholic, use even if it is “only” a gathering space. From an analytical perspective the new construction will be 22,800 square feet which includes garage space. To put this into perspective and utility cost savings, the current unused school building alone is 30,700 sq. ft. not to mention the current rectory. Can you begin to imagine the enormous utility cost savings in addition to a new building that will be under one roof, better designed for our use? (top) I don’t think so! What’s wrong with buildings when money and all is so short and older people don’t have the money to help pay! Wanting to honor all questions or statements offered we will printed all submitted. It is our belief that the above issue has been addressed in previous bulletins. Please check out our website or call the parish office for any missed bulletins that may have answered your question. If there is still something that hasn’t been addressed please ask a specific question that hasn’t been discussed. PS Joan if you get any calls or someone stopping in asking questions that have already been addressed please keep a running tally of Q & A that you can print out for them. They may not have gotten the bulletin that addressed the question. If there is a further question that hasn’t been addressed please invite them to ask or clarify one that I might have misunderstood. We will print any question/statement submitted even if a repeat but We also provide the same answer as above. (top) There are so many talented people here at SPC. Could we use some “sweat equity” in the project, staining woodwork, painting, etc.? Absolutely where appropriate. (top) When are you going to start building? We have to seek and receive approval of our parish council & then the archbishop to move forward into a capital campaign. We must have at least 50% of the estimated cost pledged AND cash in hand before any construction can begin. The remaining amount must also be pledged or a plan in place to cover the remaining cost. (top) Will the parish borrow money if the amount needed is not raised? We will not put the parish in long term debt. We will only build what the amount pledged and received allows. If any monies are borrowed they will be only for cash flow during construction and only if needed. Any such short term construction loan will be paid off at the end off the pledge drive which is usually three years. (top) How much money is going to be used in the construction? If you mean what is the expected cost of the project it is approximately $2.8 million. If this is not what you are asking please restate your question. (top) Is the parking lot going to be in the same spot? Yes. We will lose the small side lot but we will be more than making up for the lost spaces by expanding the lot toward 12th Street and reconfiguring the parking stalls. No one will have to worry about being parked in. The flow in and out will also improve drastically. Traffic will flow in and out from Clara Ave. The parking lot will also be lowered slightly to allow level entrance to the new gathering space. Currently there is a bit of an incline from the lot to the church which is at times difficult for those using walkers and any that are not as surefooted as they once were. (top) According to the repair cost (or new construction) estimate of $2.8M I can see where this amount will rise to approximately $5M with interest. We have about 1,200 registered units in the parish. Our weekly average income is about $11,000 provided by about half the registered members. Based on the impossible number of 1,200 you’re asking for $4,000+ from each one. There will be little if any interest accumulated in the project because we will not borrow money to accomplish our goals. We build what we can afford. Our Parish Council and Finance Commission, with the leadership of Deacon Mike, have worked hard to bring the parish out of deficit spending. We will not put the parish back in the red with this construction. In fact, outside of the obvious up front costs; the new construction will save money in utility costs. Yes, we are being asked to do a lot but we must all trust in the Holy Spirit and give whatever we in faith believe we can give. There are a few parishioners that are in a position to give sizable amounts while still taking care of their needs. In any capital campaign the successful completion will only happen if we have those few step up and give in a way that allows the rest of the parishioners to give just as sacrificially but at much more modest amounts. (top) When I look out over the Mass on a Sunday all I see is gray heads of older people and very few kids. Many of us have already paid for a new school & church remodelings. Now you expect us to pay again with no assigned priest, no school, and very little chance for church growth. It’s asking a lot. Please remember that we have three Masses and each has a different mix of ages. Yes, there are many older parishioners however; we have seen an increase of younger families in the last two years or so. The 10:00 Mass is the most attended and also has the most young families and children/youth. With all due respect we do have an assigned priest. Fr. Dick is assigned to SPC as an assisting priest. All sacramental ministry continues on. We also have a fulltime pastoral leader in Deacon Mike. Though it is not the same as having a priest pastor our parish has thrived and grown in the last five years. As well SPC does have a school. It is a tri-parish school called Christ Child Academy (CCA). It just happens to be located on the IC campus. We have expanded several ministries to involve younger parishioners. Because most attend 10:00 Mass if you do not attend that Mass you may not see the change. We are growing and bringing younger parishioners and families back. It is slow but it is steady. (top) Is the Tabernacle moving? No. (top) Why don’t you give everyone a questionnaire as they come to church and ask if they are for or against this project? This would give better input of what the people think. Over the past two years we have asked for parishioner input. During our Strategic Planning, we surveyed every member of the parish commissions and asked them to gather ten additional responses from other parishioners. During Mass, Deacon Mike also invited anyone who was not asked to fill out a survey if they wished. We also held three all parish listening and planning meetings for parishioners to give input. Deacon Mike promoted the meetings for several weeks letting everyone know how very important the meetings were and how vital parishioner input was as we plan for our future. It was from all of this parishioner input that this building project was developed. (top) I would like to see votive candles included in plan. We currently have votive candles and four shrines or altars that they may be placed upon request. As far as free standing votive candles that individuals can light themselves that is a decision yet to be made. Your request will be considered and looked at within the plans. (top) Is there going to be a nursery/looking glass for church? There will be clear glass doors going into the gathering space that anyone with a young child that needs to take him/her out of church will be able to see and hear the liturgy. (top) If our parish is assigned a priest in the future where will he live? That is an important question that we have not taken lightly. Most priests today prefer to live in homes or apartments that are not on church grounds. There are also rectories within town that are not being used (or under used) that would possible be another alternative. (top) Is the existing kitchen going to be remodeled with new equipment—really needed? If there is enough money raised we will remodel the kitchen. (top) Why all the classrooms? School is at IC—leave it there. R.E. should be at IC also! Have a garage sale for existing items from school building. We have no intention of bringing back any grades of CCA. Religious Education for all three south side parishes is currently at Ss Cyril & Methodius. We are paying rent to do so. We are also looking to the future not knowing if the space at Ss Cyril & Methodius will be available in years to come. There could also be the possibility that the tri-parish Religious Education and Youth Ministry programs could be located here. With the current building usage at IC having Religious Education classes there is not practical. As well there would no room for needed office space, storage and no space for the older high school students. We will use or sell what ever we can from the existing school building. (top) Our church has access for the handicapped, why do we need an elevator? We also have Van Treeck Hall for meetings. Why do we need all this extra room? You could build a building half that size. The church worship space is handicap accessible but Van Treeck is not unless they go around to the 11th Street entrance. To have to go from church and around, especially in inclement weather is neither easy nor just. The main parish office is accessible but none of the individual offices are not. If an individual needs to talk or a family needs to plan a funeral for a loved one there is no place that is private and accessible without encountering a flight of stairs. Other than the new gathering space most of the church-level construction is office and meeting space. (top) Why do we need a gathering space? The gathering space will serve several uses. It will allow a space for parishioners to meet one another before and after Mass to talk. Thus help with keeping the church proper more quiet for personal prayer. We can also have coffee and doughnuts in this space. This new gathering space will also be used for visitations for funerals and thus allow us to have the proper funeral rites at the beginning of the liturgies by not having to have the casket in the church for visitation. We can also move the parish library and store to this space where more people can use it. This is also true for the sale of SCRIP after Mass. The gathering space will have glass doors to the worship space to allow parents to take their children out of church when they are being disruptive while still being able to see and hear Mass. The space will also serve as overflow with chairs able to be set up for Christmas and Easter and other large Masses. (top) Why not wait to see what parishes are going to close within five years. Are you sure this parish is going to stay open? No one can be absolutely sure of anything as far as which parishes may or may not close. That is one reason why any major building project has to be OK’d by the Archbishop. Seating capacity is a major factor in the parishes that remain open. St. Peter Claver is the largest of the south-side parishes. As well, parishes that are proactive and looking toward the future while meeting the needs of the present ministries are the ones that remain open. In our own lives, as our personal needs change, we either remodel our houses or move to houses or condos that meet our current needs. Our buildings are in need of change as our needs as a parish family have changed. (top) What do you estimate each registered family will have to pledge in order to cover the proposed cost of the reconstruction plus bank interest? It is very difficult to set a pledge amount for each family because we know that some families are more able than others to pledge larger amounts. We will be taking a totally Stewardship approach which means we will give you all the facts, ask you to prayerful look at your current needs/bills, money invested and saved, areas in lifestyle spending that might be able to cut be back or eliminated for a short period of time. And finally, to look at the many gifts God has entrusted to you and the love you have for St. Peter Claver, and faithfully pledge the amount that God is asking of you. This project is God driven. The amount of money God instills in each one of our parishioners to pledge in gratitude and faith will be what we build with. Not a dollar more. As we have said before St Peter Claver will not be borrowing money therefore no bank interest needs to be factored in. (top) What about the cost of maintenance and additional help needed for this purpose such as insurance, utilities (heat/air conditioning)! Our Medicare supplement doubled last year. There may need to be additional hours paid for cleaning but they would be less than when we had the school building occupied (actual maintenance materials would also be less). We would be saving money in utility costs over the buildings we currently operate due to smaller actual size of buildings (new construction is smaller than current school and rectory buildings) and energy efficient construction. Insurance costs would not increase. Regarding those on fixed incomes or those that in all honesty are doing the best they can financially in support of the parish…give what you can. For some that might be a gift a prayer rather than treasure. That said we need to be honest and know that there are a number of retired individuals that have worked hard and have put money away and are doing well financially. In fact there are a few that because they have worked at a time when for many years there were jobs that didn’t require college educations (and the expense to pay for such) paid a living wage to support a family. Our retired generations also value their faith, their church and their parish. Who better to leave a legacy of faith to the next generations? (top) Why the necessity of so many classrooms and offices? What daily use will they be put to? Who will be using these? The offices would be occupied by the Pastor/Parish Director, Pastoral Associate, Dir. of Religious Education (DRE)/Youth Ministry (YM), Dir. of Music & Liturgy, Business Office, and Secretarial/reception Office. The classrooms will be for St. Peter Claver RE & YM classes as well as Sacramental classes. They may also be used by IC & SSCM. They may choose to enter into a collaborative effort in building this addition thus truly making the space Ti-Parish. Or they may choose to rent space. We are talking with IC/SSCM to see how we can work together to better serve the needs of the Catholic community of south Sheboygan. We have to plan ahead. (top) Can we have a Big Screen TV in the basement so families with children can watch the Mass while taking care of the children? Cool idea. Thank you. Not likely because the new gathering space will serve the same purpose. Our goal is to keep families together in church and help the children to learn how to worship within community. For the times when very young children need to be taken out of the church proper the Mass will be able to heard and seen from the gathering space. St. Peter Claver has never had a “crying room” because we believe in family worship. (top) If you take the steps away from the sanctuary you will ruin the church. Put a railing or two there and let it as it is. We agree that putting a ramp the full length of the current stairs going up into the sanctuary would ruin the aesthetics of our beautiful church. There are no plans to do so. A ramp is being carefully designed so that it will not be the 1^st, 2^nd or even 3^rd thing your eye is drawn to when you come into church and especially as you look at the sanctuary. The ramp will be off to one side and will blend into the sanctuary. We hope parishioners are not thinking the worst, but will trust that any decisions being made are being done with great care, forethought and preservation of the sanctity of our worship as Catholics and as a parish. (top) Why can’t we hear the organ? It was so much better than the piano? We don’t have to overdo or outdo other churches [speaking of the total project]. One of these days Bethlehem Church will own our property. We aren’t growing. Who is going to pay for all this? The organ is still played. However, as it has been each summer when it gets hot in church (much, much hotter in the choir loft) the piano is played rather than the organ. We are not abandoning the organ. In fact, Frederick was hired not only for his deep spirituality, love of the Church, directing and piano skills, but also for his decades of experience playing the organ. What does the statement about our neighboring church mean or imply? Bethlehem is a fraction the size of our parish yet they in faith added on to their building. By whose calculations are we not growing? The facts show that we are stable and growing ever so slightly over the last few years which is a trend different from the years previous. Who is going to pay for the construction? That really is in God’s hands and in each of our hearts. Please do not think we are being flippant in saying this. Believe me this is as much of a walk in faith for the leadership of our parish as it is for the rest of the parish family. All we can do is listen and follow, and then build with whatever is faithfully given. (top) When can we start to donate? If, and hopefully when, we receive permission from the archbishop to move forward in raising the money (we will know by the end of November), we will then formally enter a capital campaign process this January. It would be about April before parishioners are asked to make their financial pledge and begin giving. (top) Please give an estimate of how long it will take to raise the money for the project. Typically the payment of pledges in a capital campaign runs for three years. We must have at least half of the money for the project collected before moving forward with building. The ideal timeline would be: May, 2008 begin receiving pledge payments; begin building March, 2010; complete building by March, 2011 in time for Easter. However, as we all know nothing usually goes as planned when it comes to building. (top) In one of your responses it was stated that the entire proposed church modifications would be accomplished without the need to borrow money (no interest). How will this be done? It was decided by the parish council when we first began talking about the project that we would not borrow any money. The cost will come from a modest amount of parish savings and the majority of the rest from parishioners’ pledging over and above weekly Stewardship of Treasure giving (weekly collection). As stated previously, the pledged amount will be over a three year period. For large capital needs most parishes have to finance the costs in this way. Some parishes will also borrow money for any shortfalls in pledged and collected money that doesn’t meet the cost of the project. We at SPC will not borrow money if pledges do not meet the cost of the project. Through the several year Strategic Planning Process parishioners have said that we as a parish need the building changes that are being proposed. If we find that the cost of the proposed project doesn’t match the amount parishioners are able or willing to give then we change the plans to meet the dollar amount pledged. Because of the Archdiocesan Capital Campaign taking place at the same time we may design a fourth year for parishioners to give but everyone will be aware of that at the beginning. There is no one in the parish that wants a 10, 15, or 20 year mortgage hanging over our heads with constantly hearing we need to give more to meet budget because of the debt. In the truest sense of Stewardship we will step out in faith trusting that each parishioner prayerfully discerns what God is asking of them and then honoring the sacrificial amount pledged and received, move forward building with that amount. Our parish lay leadership and many other parishioners believe we need to move forward to remain a vibrant parish and continue serving God among the Southside Tri-parish configuration as it is today. Together in faith we will decide what the end result will be. (top)
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