Welcome Home!

We finally made it! We had our dedication Mass today and what a treat to witness the ceremony and pomp that the Catholic Church can offer. We became 'whole' again today as we welcomed Bishop Paul Bootkoski, former associate Priests of the Parish and some special guests. The day's events began with the Blessing of the Cornerstone. Bishop Bootkoski then began our Celebration of Mass, with prayers of Thanksgiving. At the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word, Bishop Bootkoski's homily focused on the ceremonial aspects of what we were about to witness. Considering this is only done for new or renovated Churches, it is truly a once in a lifetime experience for most of us.

 
As we lifted our hearts in song and prayer, the Litany of the Saints drew us closer together and the Bishop began the ritual of annointing the Altar with Holy Chrism, blessed each year at Holy Week. After annointing the Altar, Bishop Bootkoski and Msgr. O'Neill annointed all the pillars of the Church with the same Holy Chrism. To complete the new Altar Blessings, Rose Ragucci and Janice Michnewicz (the wives of our two Deacon's) were tasked with removing the excess Chrism and cleaning the Altar. Next, Mary Jantas and Agnes Bacsik dressed the Altar for the first time. Finally, candles were placed and lit by Deacon Tom and we began the first Celebration of the Eucharist in our new Church.
At the conclusion, Msgr. O'Neill offered us all his thanks for our contributions, support and especially our patience. It has been a long sixteen months since the restoration began and I will be the first (well, maybe not the first) to say it was well worth it. Welcome Home! .. and thanks for following along.

Are we There Yet?

The fence is down, the pillars are finished and I'm sure we are all very anxious to get back to 'normal'! There were a few minor issues with some of the details of the final inspection, but we'll be in the church this weekend. While most of the work is done, we have a temporary certificate of occupancy as there is still work to be completed. The carpeting in the upper room is the last major item to finish along with treads on the stairs leading to the choir loft. We look forward to wonderful celebration with Bishop Bootkoski next weekend as we consecrate the Sanctuary and Altar. Our final entries to this fifteen month project will be next weekend as we record the celebration and prepare a digital copy of this blog and all the photo's (more than 700 and counting!) Here's hoping you enjoyed following along. It has been a wonderful experience for me.

Final Inspection

The last required inspection is scheduled for Monday (tomorrow)! Last item to go in is the special flooring in the entrance, which allows for snow removal and rain water drainage before entering the main gathering area. This should be installed Monday morning. Also to be installed is the carpeting in the Upper Room. Remaining work for the windows and columns, then a few days of touch up and such. Myron (UDC) tells me we will be worshipping in our 'NEW' Church next weekend. Just in time for Bishop Bootkoski to join us to Bless our new Sanctuary and Altar on Aug.1st. Appropriate too, since the Feast of St. John Vianney is only a few days hence, on August the 4th. Thanks for following along!

Still More to Finish (but we're almost there!)

Now that the parish fair has come and gone (and so has my vacation immediately after), we can get back to the business at hand, finishing the project. We were teased a bit in getting to use our new Church for the school graduation, Confirmations and our Year for Priests closing celebration. With that, the crews are now back at work, working all those little details that seem to take forever! This week, the front stairs were completed and we now have railings in place as well. All of the doors have been installed including up on the balconey. Yesterday, the 3 top front windows went into the upper room and today was finally sealing those in place. Once they are completed, the bells will be hung and the front of the Church can be finished. Myron assures me he will be DONE next week, so we should be celebrating on a permanent basis come July 17/18. Thanks for following along!

Finishing the Project

The next week or two will probably seem like the whole fourteen month project all over again, as we watch and wait for the finish work in the Church be completed. Woodwork being sanded and nailed, kneelers mounted in the choir loft and center aisle, light fixtures and switches, etc, etc.. In the meantime, the brick was completed today as electricians worked to pull wires for the lamp posts out front. Ground was being leveled to prep the parking lot for paving. Now if we could just get those three new windows in the front facade so it can get its finish coat. As with most projects, a lot of 'little things' remain to be done, and we'll get there, just a little while longer. Come and enjoy it this Sunday though, as we'll be celebrating the Eucharist together in our New Church, right after our 2010 Confirmation class welcomes the Holy Spirit into their lives on Friday and Saturday! Thanks for following along!

Closing the Year For Priests

We were priveledged to host the Diocese of Metuchen in a prayerful and powerful closing to the Year for Priests. The Diocesan Festival and Chamber Choirs led us in prayer in the company of over one hundred priests and seminarians from the Diocese, along with Bishop Bootkoski and Bishop Emeritus Hughes. In this photo, he is thanking the host for the evening, our own Rev. Msgr. Edward M. O'Neill and the homilist for the evening, Rev. Sean A. Broderick, C.S.Sp. from Mary Mother of God Parish in Hillsborough. Father Sean offered his reflections on parish priests, from his very unique perspective of not having been a parish priest for forty of his forty-five ordained years! Bishop Bootkoski then offered his perspective of being a priest in parish life and charged his brother priests to relish their role and SMILE!
I hope the heat of Sunday didn't keep you away on Monday evening, the air conditioning was working just fine by then. Thanks for following along!

It's Ready!

It's Ready!

We arrived this morning to find the cleaning crew readying the sanctuary for use! We assisted Gene with distributing missals throughout the pews and managed to snap a few pictures while we were there too! Gene then gave us a private demonstration of the new organ, and does it sound sweet! Masses will be held in our 'NEW' Church this weekend, including the graduation of our eighth graders from SJV School! Access will be limited to the entrance from the school as the main entrance is not ready for traffic. And no sneaking out the back doors after Communion! It will take at least a week to finish all the details of the front entrance area, but it sure beats the gymnasium for celebrating the Eucharist! Thanks for following along..

Down to the Wire!

June 4th and where to begin? Another very energetic day on the site this morning. Right at the entrance, with earth moving equipment doing what they do to make way for the parking lot. Next up were the guys laying the base for the pavers. As I stepped into the Sanctuary, a lot of the plastic has been removed from items like the Altar and Ambo, so new photos of them... Final pieces of the new windows going in on the west wall. The new organ is installed and unwrapped. Don't know when the sound checks are scheduled for! Woodwork for the trin in the choir loft is going on, with a new railing added to the front of the loft.Tile work in the entrance, stucco work out front and pavers going down. Enjoy the photos. Thanks for following along!

Workers Everywhere!

From the moment I stepped foot onto the site today, it was clear there is a sense of urgency to get this project completed for this weekend. Roadwork being done on the side of the building, finish work on the facade, electricians, masons, painters, craftsmen everywhere today! It's hard to see the work completed day to day now that I have been here each day, just as it was very easy to see from week to week. But if you look, you can see progress. For example, the electricians outside completed their work for the exterior lighting, the stucco siding is progressing on the front of the building and road work is being done to replace the side access road to the back of the building and the middle school. Inside, more tile has been laid on the entrance floor, paint has been applied to walls and so on. In the Sanctuary, the choir loft is now nearly complete, with the refurbished Trinity stained glass re-installed and framed and a new addition to the area, two new chandeliers to match the main Sanctuary area. New (to us) seating for the Priest/Deacons is being refinished to match the new wood tones of the Altar and the area for the new organ was being cleared for its installation today. Are we really going to be able to do sound checks on Friday or Saturday morning? We'll have to see! Thanks for following along.  You are the way, the truth and the life of the world, oh Lord.

Pavers and More

We're at June 2nd and the trim work we saw from yesterday, in the gathering area, has been completed. Each piece measured to fit its precise location. As I recall, the ceiling in this area will be mirrored and the floor will be carpeted. More tile was completed in the gathering area, in the area near the entrance to the sanctuary and the crying room (see caution tape). In the meantime, I can see that the rest of the sound system speakers have been installed. More work is being done in the choir loft, with pews being completed, the crew from Milan Restorations is now working on replacing the large stained glass window... come Holy Spirit! On the outside, electricians and crews are setting locations for exterior lighting on the property and masons are preparing for work on the pavers. As you can see from the picture, there were three patterns to choose from. We'll see tomorrow which one 'won out'. Not sure who was going to make that call. I prefer the pattern on the bias, but that's just me. I'll stop by again tomorrow to see what got done today. Thanks for following along!   Ps 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

We're Getting Closer!

Well here we are at June 1st and it is looking very promising for finishing up this week. Lot's of activity this morning as I visited the site. I hope to be there every morning this week to capture as much of the finishing work as I can. Today, it was obvious there was work going on over the Memorial Day Weekend. Tile has been laid in the gathering area, painting in the new 'upper room' and a glass display case arrived for our Religious Articles Store! In this first picture you can see some wood finishing work going on. The area they are working on is in the main gathering area and each piece is being fitted and cut for it's location. The upper room has been painted with it's foundation coat, then they will go over the area looking for imperfections. Once repairs are made, the final layer of paint will be applied. The glass display case in the bottom picture is being installed in the Religious Articles Store area, now to the right as you enter the gathering area. Also at the end of that hallway is the new elevator. Coming up later in the week; last of the stained glass, final setting of altar items, sound system and the organ installation (Thursday) Thanks for following along! Ps.145:8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.

We Just Might Make It!

The race to finish in time for a flurry of activities in the month of June is on! With SJV School Graduation on the 6th, the Year of the Priest closing prayer service on the 7th and Confirmations on the 11th and 12th, it looks like we just might make it! Finishing touches on the crying room, meeting rooms and bathrooms downstairs are looking good. Painting and plumbing was happening all day on the inside and the parking lot area is being prepared for finishing. The ramp access work is continuing and the front outside gathering area is being prepped for pavers. This weekend should bring about final touches in the choir loft for pews and the new stained glass windows in the sanctuary. In addition, the main gathering area inside is expected to have its tile laid in place. Thanks for following along! Ps 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures for ever.

Mad Dash to the Finish!

Since the last post on Friday, there has been a flurry of activity inside and out to race to the finish line at the end of the month. Speakers installed, kneelers, hymnal holders, doors and woodwork all going on seemingly simutaneously on the inside. Outside, the entrance is transforming, the ramp is being completed and the brick entrance way is being prepared. In addition the final face on the front of the church is being readied for its final finish. Today, they were making final adjustments to the elevator, trimwork and prepping floors for tile. Stand back and see if we can make it!

Sleeping on the Job?

Not exactly... it's part of the pew installation, actually the kneelers, in this case. Most of the pews have been installed and bolted to the floor and kneeler installation is the next to last part to be completed. They're aluminum and light weight, so less noise. We'll all have to get used to that wonderful Catholic tradition of kneeling again! Last up will be the new holders for the missals and hymnals. A lot of other activity continues inside, with priming and painting, doors being hung and stained. More work remains in the choir loft and new addition upstairs. Ten days to go until the end of the month. Let's see if we can make it to the finish line. Thanks for following along! Ps. 127:1 Unless Yahweh builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.

Curbing and Painting

Concrete and curbing work on the outside, painting on the inside along with pew installation. We're at the 19th and there are 12 days left to the end of the month. I took a trip down into the basement today and I was amazed at how much storage space there will be. I actually lost my bearings at one point and stumbled upon a small door beneath one of the new stairways. I'm going to have to ask what that one is for! The latest pictures are included in the slideshow. Thanks for following along!

Ps. 126:5 Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. (JF Garden Prayer)

Pew Installation

More work in the santuary going on this week. Workers continue to assemble the pews and formal installation will begin in a day or two. They will be assembled first, installed, then the new kneelers will be installed. New missal and hymnal holders will be the last item to go in place. The new box windows will be installed next week and that should complete the interior, with some touch-up and finish work to be completed. The interior entrance doors are being re-finished to match the walls and pews and should also be installed next week. Over this past weekend, a lot of painting was going on, with most of the lower level rooms of the addition having been completed. Doors are hung in frames and have been installed in some openings. I am beginning to think we just might make it! Thanks for following along! Ps. 118:1 Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

Our New Symbol

Our latest addition to the exterior, a shining beacon! The new cross on the Church is, in fact, made of copper. While it is not the high finish we can see on the new water channels at the roof line, it has been etched to reduce the shine on purpose. Each of the copper finishes we see up on the roof will oxidize in time, but what a beautiful sight! In this photo, we can see workers making the finishing touches to the installation that happened on Friday. Hope you got to see it over the weekend!

Workers Everywhere!

With this last visit, I sensed more activity than on any other. From the moment I arrived, with two workers on the upper roof preparing to install our Cross, to the men on stilts flying around the choir loft and new meeting room upstairs applying the mud to joints and screwheads, to the men re-joining the sections of pews. In addition there was activity out front, prepping some areas for the new curbing to take shape. We are at May 15th, the Feast of St. Isidore the farmer, halfway through the month... will we make it to the finish line?

Drywall and Sanding

Drywall is going up quickly since last week. Most of the first floor is completed and getting ready for painting and ceiling installation. The elevator is installed, minus all the finish work, of course. More drywall is being installed upstairs this week in the choir loft and the new, large meeting room. Also, more of the refinished pews are now on site, awaiting final installation. Some more air conditioning work to be done and then some final stained glass to go in and the sanctuary will be complete. It's a race to the end of the month!
Thanks for following along. Ps. 111:4 The Lord is gracious and merciful.

Drywall Going Up

And of course along with that drywall comes the dust created when the sanding occurs. Plastic sheeting is up to try and minimize the impact. The gathering area in the addition was first to be done, with the upper room next in line. The elevator is coming along and looks like it will be completed soon. More work for electrical and fire alarms will need to be done on that after the installation is completed. It's the 6th of May, so we have 25 days left to the end of May target! Thanks for following along. Ps. 106:1 Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.

New Slideshow

I have added a second slideshow to the front page. The upper one is now a 'time lapse' version, from one spot in the church, so you can see how the progress of rebuilding has evolved. The beginning is from Palm Sunday 2009, in the evening, with Mr. Borkas at the organ readying himself for choir rehearsal. The show runs in order succession through (as I write this) a photo from today (4/30/10) with the carpet being added. The bottom slideshow is compiled of a lot of pictures I've taken (but not all) over these 12 plus months. I hope you enjoy! Thanks for following along.

You Want Me to Go Where?

While on the site today, Myron asked me if I would like to go up to the roof and get some pictures. It crossed my mind to mention my fear of heights, but then I thought better of that, and so.. what the heck, I'll probably never get another chance, so... up I went. He didn't tell me "ON" the ROOF! I got some shots of the roof work going on, the air conditioning units and such. Got a great shot of the school too!

What a Difference a Few Days Can Make

If you remember back to one of my last posts, a suggestion was made that the floor was being prepped for carpeting, but that it would be a week or two until after the drywall went up. Well... what a difference a few days makes! Tha carpet is in! The red is the aisle areas and the brown is where the pews will be. Speaking of pews, a couple have been returned and can be seen in the very front of the church, up by the altar area. We're in an un-official countdown at this point as we have the 'end of May' to look forward to. So we have 31 days to go!

New Chandeliers

As we can see from this photo, we have light! The refurbished chandeliers have been installed and they make a big difference in brightening the space. I don't have the details, but I'm told they now operate at a much higher efficiency than the previous version. In addition, you can see they are now suspended by chain rather than a solid rod. An artisitic cross band has been added to each element, as well. Also seen in the upper photo, the floor has all been prepped and leveled in anticipation of carpeting being installed. That will have to wait until the drywalling is completed in the new section of the building first. That way cleanup will be much easier. As you may have heard at Mass over the weekend, Monsignor has been given an estimated completion of the end of May. Just in time to celebrate the closing of the Year of the Priest with the Bishop and his brother priests at the beginning of June! Thanks for following along! Ps. 105:3 Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice.