Congratulation First Communion Class of 2013!

The Results of the Diocesan Plan for Renewal and Restructuring

 click here for the full report:   http://www.bellevillemessenger.org/PDF/Full%20Report.pdf

Studies and Sketches

These are developing ideas. We've already made some changes to what is sketched here, but you'll see a good idea of the design and appearance we are working on. I'm told I made some strange noises when I first saw some of these images. Perhaps in a moment you'll understand why!

Here is a proposed site plan. The left side of the image is North. On the south side (right) you can see the covered drop-off entrance. The Church's cruciform shape is obvious from above. A walkway to the gym and one near the school complete a cloister-courtyard. Minor changes already considered: handicapped parking will be on the drive-through at the south end rather than on the street, and the walkway at the main (west) entrance will be straight to the sidewalk rather than curved.

This floor plan gives an idea of how the seating will be arranged. The second floor is shown at bottom. The baptistery is one thing still under discussion. As shown, it is in the north transept and is very prominent in size. Sacristies flank the sanctuary. The rectangles in the sanctuary show locations for a main altar and the reredos. Dotted-line rectangles in the seating area depict open space for wheelchair/handicapped presence. The small solid squares beside the pews represent the columns of an arcade, which you will see in sketches below. At the west end is the narthex and intervening space for stairs, elevator, storage, a confessional, and a room that will serve as a cry room / bride's room.

View facing south. Note the apse at the east end and the smaller sacristy between the apse and transept. Protruding toward us from the transept is the baptistery. The door just to the left of the baptistery will be under one of the covered walkways defining the cloister. The other side of the cloister is seen coming out of the tower (more visible in the sketch below).

View from the west, facing east from the ballfield. The tower as shown tops off somewhere in the neighborhood of 120 feet, including the cross recovered from the site after the tornado. The upper spire is pre-fabricated and placed by crane. Below that is the masonry tower. Louvers at the bell deck are pictured up high. Under them is pictured a large window, which is still under consideration for various reasons including the nature of the space behind it. Behind the tower and narthex you can see the transepts coming out. I was happy to note that there will be a hatch accessing the top of the masonry part of the tower, up above the roofline. I think I have my new spot for watching baseball games. 

We are inside the church now, standing at the south transept and looking at a longitudinal cross-section.  Lots of glass, right? That's a good project for years to come; the really great churches are completed over time. Initially they will likely be clear or shaded glass. Under the rose window the baptistery is shown. The columns and arches at lower left form an arcade. There is about four feet behind those columns to the wall (see floor plan above.) On the right is the apse and sanctuary; you can see the front altar and reredos silhouetted.

A study of how the cloister might be formed. The goal is to design this feature in a way that is noble and harmonious with the church, but able to be crafted and assembled by us to a large degree. I look forward to working on that project!

OK. Whew. I can't express how happy these sketches make me. I'm trying to contain it because, while our architects are very serious about designing to our budget, the bids aren't in and neither are the pledges. If it is God's will and yours, it can happen.

Surveying the site

What's Happening: 2/21/13

Hello, friends. I haven't posted an update for awhile so here we go. No big smashing news, just a progress report.


- The Fundraising Committee is devoting most of its energy right now to preparations for our parish campaign. We've just mailed an introduction letter to all registered households (if you don't get a letter, please call the office at 269-3318!). The campaign, Raise the Bells, will be our principal source of funding for our new church.

- The Building Committee has begun an exciting new phase in cooperation with Cram & Ferguson Architects. Ethan Anthony, our principal architect, has visited once to begin program development and will return Monday evening (2-25-13) for another step in our design process.  Over the next few months there will be a lot of back-and-forth as we contemplate options and make decisions. Very little is set in stone at this point, but I can share some priorities that are under consideration:

• Use of the surviving St. Joseph's altar... possibly in modified form so that Mass can actually be said on the altar, with the reredos (= the ornamental piece rising up from the altar) behind it.
• A high steeple! Please note, these are expensive. Just something to keep in mind when you're holding that pledge card in a few weeks!
• A covered drop-off at one entrance to the church.
• A connection to the gymnasium.
• A choir loft with additional overflow seating.
• A gathering space (narthex) of substantial size at the main entrance.
• Your ideas are welcome and wanted! We can't do everything that everybody wants, but parishioner input is absolutely making a difference in our decisions. Why not add yours?

- The Diocesan Art and Architecture Committee will be joining us on 2/25 as well. They are delegated by our Bishop to advise and review projects like ours. We'll be working with them closely as the design process unfolds.

Cram and Ferguson selected as the architects of St. Kateri Church

The Building Committee and I are delighted to announce the selection of the firm of Cram & Ferguson, of Concord, Massachusetts, as the architects who will design and oversee construction of St. Kateri Church. Their previous work, and some of the firm's history, can be viewed here: www.cramandferguson.com

We are most grateful to the other firms who have invested time, money, and interest in our project. From here, we will be working closely with principal Ethan Anthony and his excellent staff as our project begins to take shape.

Homily before the 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

click here for text of last Sunday's homily.