Completing the Covenant:
The Project to Renovate St. Theresa of Lisieux Church

FINAL REPORT (June 30, 2008): Pledged: $456,921 Pledged to a needy parish: $7,805 Total paid: $451,060 Percentage of total: 98.7% THANK YOU!

Church Renovation Committee
2004-2008

• Scope of Work: The main elements of proposed interior renovations in our church contemplated by the Renovation Committee.
  
  
• Architectural Plans: As they become available, these can be seen here.
  
  
• Parish Education Bulletins: Several summaries of the document Built of Living Stones, written by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2000. The document comprises the most recent codification for building or renovating churches and other holy places of worship. These summaries have appeared periodically in our parish bulletin and will continue to be available at information kiosks set up in our church at most weekend Masses.
  
  
• Timeline for the Project

Latest News: May 4, 2008 I wanted to keep you updated on the progress of church renovation. First, everything appears to be on schedule for completion May 30. At that time, the organ builder will begin his work which will be completed in early September in time for our return on September 13-14. The travertine stone flooring is now completely finished and sealed. The new wall between the narthex (front vestibule) and nave (main body of the church) is complete and awaiting the glass inserts. Much of the painting of various rooms is done and some of the wood trim work is being installed. Most of the lighting fixtures are now in and the new control panel is working. This past week, the new baptismal font was delivered and now awaits the stone covering for its walls and basins. This coming week the reredos (small wood wall behind the presider's chair) will be installed and the first of the new chairs and other furnishings will begin arriving. In about two weeks, the stained glass windows will all be cleaned and repaired as needed and the duct work for the heating and air conditioning will be cleaned. The church is beginning to take shape and is looking quite nice. Please keep all of those involved in this project in your prayers. Fr. Richard

Together we embark upon a new and final episode in our decade-long effort to improve our parish life, our campus, and our facilities. We prepare to renovate what is truly the heart of our parish community - the church. Constructed in 1970, more than 35 years ago, it is time to see to it that our church is as sacred, beautiful and functional as it deserves to be. Significantly, we do this during the year that is dedicated to a deeper love for the Eucharist. Our church renovation is a most appropriate way to show our love for the Eucharistic Lord. Our parish of St. Theresa has been able to complete much needed construction and renovation thanks to two former pastors, Fr. Cyril Burns and Fr. James Casey and their financial foresight and generosity through their established trust funds. Additionally, the overwhelming support given by our parishioners to the Future of Hope drive raised $1.8 million - the most ever for a single parish in the history of the Diocese! With that we have been able to renovate the rectory/ parish house, build the Fr. Cyril Burns Parish Hall, and improve the parish grounds, parking lot, and rental house. Altogether, these projects have expended some $3.2 million. In addition to improving the physical aspects of our parish, we have actively worked to improve the spiritual aspects of our parish. During this same period we worked strenuously to improve the celebration of the Eucharist, developed new groups to meet the needs of parishioners, and most significantly have experienced a three-year effort of spiritual growth through the RENEW program. Altogether, we helped transform our parish into a vibrant and close-knit community. Five years ago, through the Future of Hope drive, we began our effort to build a hall and renovate the church. Because this is not a separate drive to raise money for this needed renovation, but rather the completion of our previous effort, we are calling this Completing the Covenant. The word "covenant" dates back to the ancient Israelites and denotes their vital and intimate relationship with the Lord, whereby the people saw themselves as dependant on Him and thus also mutually related to each other. Here, the word covenant denotes the commitment we made to each other and to God five years ago. The word completing reminds us that our commitment to each other is not yet over. Only with this drive can we remain true to our promises to each other. With Completing the Covenant the physical transformation of our campus will match the spiritual transformation of ourselves as individuals and as a community. Additionally, in acknowledgement of being richly blessed as a parish, we will also offer the opportunity for parishioners to donate a portion of money to be given by us to a needy parish in our Diocese for capital improvements to their facility. This reminds us that as much has been given to us, so also much will be required. Finally, it is our intention to recognize ten years of growing in faith and love together with a celebration on October 4-5, 2008, when the church renovation is completed. We invite you to continue to walk with us, to pray for the success of this effort, and to support this drive through your generous financial contribution and thus insure that we are indeed Completing the Covenant.

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