August, 2014
A drive around our parking lots will certainly tell the story on how the construction project is going. There
are power shovels, tractors, dump trucks and the likes almost everywhere. All good signs of progress. As
of this writing, there are 124 days until Christmas and we continue to believe that our remodeled church
structure and newly built day chapel will have been blessed and ready for Mass on that day.
From Mound road, you can see new shingles on both Western exposures of the roof. They replace the
original shingles which were the original equipment. You may also see work beginning for a new small
septic field for the new restrooms in the church and Blessed Sacrament chapel. Coming up the south
driveway you get a view of the five large open spaces in the wall that are awaiting window frames and glass.
Each will project through the roof and have a glass top to allow as much light in as possible. The first
question many parishioners ask me is, “will we have stained glass?” The answer is, “not at this time.” The
frames are built to handle stained glass in the future but it is not in our current budget. Each window will be
made up of smaller panes of tinted glass.
The next thing you see is the day chapel rising out of the ground. Some of the steel work is up and again
you will be able to see the extensive use of glass in the design. The diamond shaped structure is intended for
smaller services such as week day Masses, small funerals, and small prayer services. It will seat
approximately 150 persons.
Continuing our journey around the campus, the work at the East end of the building, outside of the white
room, is the installation of a new septic tank and replacement of the drain field. While not very interesting,
it is both a necessary and costly project. The original field being 50 years old, has served us well.
Continuing to the North parking lot, the first structure being built is a conference room that will connect to
the narthex. It will be a convenient location for small meetings or for family gatherings just prior to
funerals.
The next structure just west of the main entrance is going to be very useful to many of us. Among the rooms
will be two new public restrooms, a vestry where the presiding priests will prepare for Mass, and a
minister’s room. The minister’s room will be shared by the ushers, the altar servers, the Extraordinary
Ministers of the Eucharist and the lectors as they prepare the readings before Mass.
Finally, leaving the parking lot from the North parking lot, the other five large window openings are clearly
visible.
Inside the church, the demolition of the old interior is complete. Out with the old, in with the new. The new
concrete floor has been poured. The electricians and plumbers are busy doing their thing. The carpenters
are building new walls to accommodate the many changes required to make the interior as pleasing to the
eye as can be.
Meanwhile, the orders are in to the companies that will supply the pews, the floor tile, the carpet, the
lighting fixtures, the new altar, and dozens of other lesser items required to finish the job on time. My
thanks go out to the many, many people who are working on this project behind the scenes. Of course
there are the skilled workers from the construction company who are true journeymen.
We have a steering committee that watches over the construction as well as the budget, a difficult and
challenging responsibility. Seldom seen but often there until all hours of the evening is the design
committee. They are charged with literally hundreds of decisions concerning the detail of the interior of
the entire new structure. They are responsible for fabric selection, carpet and tile color and design, wood
grain, and much more. I am confident that you will be pleased with the prudent decisions they have made
when you get your first look at the final result.
I cannot finish without thanking all of you who have made this possible through your generous financial
support both recently through the Changing Lives Together and over many years with your weekly
contributions. St Kieran is your parish.
Monsignor H. Thomas Johnson
North-East Addition
Day Chapel Addition