Paradise, NL

Church Extension/Renovation Update

Summary of Events

During November 2007, the Parish’s Finance Committee established a Facilities Planning Committee to study and make recommendations regarding the short term and long term facility requirements for the Parish.

The Facilities Planning Committee immediately when about the task as assigned. To establish the facility needs and concerns of the Parish, the committee held several meetings with all stakeholders; i.e., Parish Committee Chairs (1 meeting), Parish Priest, Parishioners (2 Meetings), and the Finance Committee.

A Final Report of the Facilities Planning Group was presented to the Finance Committee on May 30, 2008 and the report findings and recommendations were made available to parish members.

The full report was posted to the Parish website in the summer of 2008.

With the report in hand, a Meeting with the Archdiocese furnished an approval in principle to proceed. Final consent would be contingent on support from the Holy Family Parish Parishioners and a Financial Plan detailing the funding sources for the proposed extension to the church.

Jan 30^th and Feb 8^th, 2009 a diagram of the proposed church extension with explanatory notes was distributed to parishioners and a larger diagram with explanatory notes was posted on a bulletin board in the church. Announcements were made before both weekend Masses encouraging parishioners to read the information and ask for clarification where needed.

Before Mass on February 21^st and 22^nd, 2009, survey questionnaires were distributed and announcements were made regarding the completion of the questionnaire. Parishioners were reminded regarding the questionnaire on Feb 18^th, March 1^st, 7^th & 8^th and were also advised that questionnaires could be picked up at the Parish office. Notices regarding the questionnaire were posted in the parish bulletin and on the parish website. As well the survey results were not compiled until March 9^th to allow for maximum retunes.

Survey Results

The communications committee extends its appreciation to all those who took the time to complete a questionnaire.

Of a total of 236 completed questionnaires that were returned an overwhelming 229 or 97% of respondents agreed that an extension is essential to the continuing viability of the Parish.

The vast majority of respondents felt that the recommendation of the Facilities Planning Committee would satisfy the need for additional space for:

• Weekly liturgy celebrations for the long term future 199 or 98.5%. Of the total respondents, 34 did not rate this question.

• Special liturgy celebrations with large attendance 192 or 98.4%. Of the total respondents, 37 did not rate this question.

• Gathering place at the entrance, closet space, meeting area (children’s liturgy), office area, kitchen, washroom facilities, and areas for the Sacristy and altar servers 193 or 69.1%. Of the total respondents, 35 did not rate this question.

183 or 91% of respondents were in agreement with the Parish entering into a mortgage to fund the cost of construction of the proposed extension. Of the total respondents, 35 did not rate this question.

186 or 93% of respondents would participate in special fundraising activities in support of this cause. Of the total respondents, 36 did not rate this question.

139 or 74.7% of respondents would pledge a sum of money in support of the construction of the proposed extension. Of the total respondents, 36 did not rate this question.

The Parish has 1583 registered member families. These families were identified via house to house surveys that were conducted over a number of years and new members have been added. Observation suggests that 400 adult parishioners attend weekly Masses on a regular basis. Of the registered member families 325 parishioners utilize the parish envelope system for weekly and special requirements financial offerings to the Parish. While it is not reasonable to extrapolate the survey findings over the total population of registered families or the number attending weekly Masses, it is reasonable to assume the proportionate representative survey distribution with those parishioners utilizing the envelope system for offerings.

Therefore, it can be concluded that:

• 97% or 315 parishioners agree that an extension is essential to the continuing viability of the Parish.

• 93% or 302 parishioners agree with the Parish entering into a mortgage to fund the cost of construction of the proposed extension. And

• 74.7% or 243 parishioners would pledge a sum of money in support of the construction of the proposed extension.

These findings do not take into account the fact that the community is continuing to grow at a very high rate. As well, whereas newcomers from adjoining communities may frequent their former parish for a time, eventually they will gravitate to their home community parish.

Several respondents commented on the proposal itself with thoughtful recommendations and observations. These will be passed on to the Facilities Planning Committee for consideration as the plans are refined. A few respondents expressed concerns with the financial commitment and the ability for the parish to meet these commitments as the future unfolds.

Next Steps

It is evident, at this time, that there is more than sufficient parishioner support to proceed with the process of constructing an extension to the present Holy Family Church.

The Finance Committee must now request the Archdiocese’s approval to develop a detailed set of plans with refined cost estimates. If approved, the Finance Committee 2ill then prepare a substantiated financial plan to cover the cost of construction of the extension and seek approval from the Archdiocese for its implementation.

Communications Committee

March 20, 2009