St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Dedham
Parish Survey
Should We Complete The Painting of the Interior Of The Church?
In March, 2014, parish wide discussions began about painting the interior of St. Mary's
Church. It had been 26 years since this kind of work had been done. The paint was
peeling and failing throughout, the white and gold had become bronze and grayish, and
the beautiful architectural elements of the church were indiscernible to the eye. The
150th Anniversary of the parish was also just around the corner. Work began in January
of 2015 and the scaffolding came down on Palm Sunday; happily, the response has been
overwhelmingly positive. Present parishioners, former parishioners, Bishop Dooher, and
Cardinal Sean have all weighed in and spoken highly of the project's success. We raised
$100,000 (thank you!) and borrowed $60,000, which we are paying down regularly. We
have spent $160,000 to do all the work that has already been completed. That, to date,
is all that we have spent.
And now the question: Should we complete the painting of the interior of St. Mary's
church? There are obvious reasons for taking this on. The parts of the church which
have not been painted continue to deteriorate rapidly. Also, when the project was first
proposed in 2014, it took time for people to understand why the church had to be painted
and for some it was difficult to visualize what it would look like with color returned to it.
Hopefully, the answer to both questions is clearer now and folks can see how completing
the project will enhance the whole structure. And importantly, the church is now a place
more conducive to prayer and worship. The rest of the painting would take one month to
complete. If we are going to do it, I propose January of 2017, a great way to finish our
150th anniversary and begin our 151st!
The challenge is that to complete the project (upper center walls and center ceiling) is
$110,000. (That would be 110 parishioners giving $1,000 or 500 giving $220 or 1,000
giving $110.) I would not want to move forward unless all the costs are completely
pledged up front, as St. Mary's also has other financial responsibilities.
In order for me, the Finance Council, Parish Council and parish staff to consider well our
decision, I would ask you to complete the simple survey on the other side of this paper
and return it in the offertory basket, to the office, to me or to any of the staff, no later than
October 6, 2015. I am happy to speak with you about any of this, and I will hold a 15
minute Q&A after the 11:00 Mass on Sunday, September 27.
Thanks and God bless,
Fr. Kelly
(over)
St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Dedham
Parish Survey
Should We Complete The Painting of the Interior Of The Church?
Dear Fr. Kelly,
Having read carefully the summary presented above and taken it to prayer, I am happy to
return this survey.
(Please indicate your answers.)
____ I do not think it is a good decision to complete the painting of the interior of the
Church. (If you checked this box, it would be helpful to us if you could indicate "why" in the
comment section below.)
____ I do think that completing the church painting is a good decision, and I would
pledge/contribute $______ to this project. (Payments can be made in installments.)
____ In addition to my pledge, I would participate in a fundraiser for this project.
We appreciate any comments you would like to make here:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please DO NOT sign your name, but be honest about your intentions so that we can
have a very accurate sense of what people think we should and can do.
Thanks!
Please return this survey in the offertory basket, to the office, to Fr. Kelly or to any of the
staff, or on the parish website no later than October 6, 2015.
(revised September 16, 2015)
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(over)