Remarks from Father Rick – Parish Center #6

Last week I referred to the first part of the letter that was sent to the Diocese in November of last year regarding the fundraising project for the new Parish Center. The first part was a basic introduction to what the project would possibly cost. What follows in today's bulletin is the second part of that letter to the Diocese. This second part addresses the “need” that we have in renovating the “Old Church” into our new Parish Center. This “need” was presented to the Diocese so that we could gain the approval of the Diocese for this project.

THE NEED
As mentioned above, it has been nearly four years since we started celebrating Mass in our new church and vacated the old church. Efforts to find a new tenant or shared use tenant have been fruitless. There have been several inquiries and trial balloons on renting, leasing, renovating and various combinations to use the facility by our parish and any prospective renter. Due to renovation costs, legal issues, insurance issues, shared use issues and operational issues, we have no long-term use plan for the facility until now.

Some plans for renovation were underway when Monsignor Bucher was here, but when it was learned that Monsignor Bucher was going to retire, it was felt that before the parish moved forward, our new Priest, Father Jones should determine for himself what he felt our parish needed in the way of parish facilities. Based on his input and that of the parishioners, it became apparent that a full-fledged plan needed to be adopted if we were going to arrive at long-term solution on the use of the old church.

In determining the needs of the building, we have identified two separate need categories. We are calling them (1) needs of our parish family and (2) needs of the Branson community. Naturally, the needs of our parish family come first. However, it is the needs of the Branson community that will help us defray the costs of the renovation. As mentioned above, large parish meals, rummage sales, limited meetings, KC functions and some wedding and funeral functions are held there right now. All other parish functions are held in the new church basement. Inquiries come in regularly from parishioners about using the facility, however, we are not prepared to handle them at this time.


Next weekend I will include another section of this letter. Until then, I hope that everyone gains a fuller appreciation of what it takes to work on a renovation project like this. I have an appreciation for everyone who has worked not only on this current project but also on all the building projects that have come before this one! Many blessings to all of you!

Thanks for taking time to ponder these remarks! Know of my thoughts and prayers for your and your loved ones during these early days of July. Next weekend I will include another section of this letter. Until then, I hope that everyone gains a fuller appreciation of what it takes to work on a renovation project like this. I have an appreciation for everyone who has worked not only on this current project but also on all the building projects that have come before this one! Many blessings to all of you!

Thanks for taking time to ponder these remarks! Know of my thoughts and prayers for your and your loved ones during these early days of July.

Father Rick L. Jones, Pastor