2014 St. Patrick's Day Party "The Blarney Blast" needs Volunteers.... Please click on the link below and sign up for a one hour time slot (or two). It takes many volunteers to make this event a success. The St. Pat's Party will be held on Saturday March 15th 6 p.m. - Midnight. Please click here for more information on the party or to purchase tickets: 2014 ST. PAT'S PARTY.
Join us for the 2014 St. Patrick's Day Party on March 15th. Come by St. Patrick-St. Anthony Family Center Office to pick up your tickets today. Call 616-842-8230 ext 120 to reserve your spot or purchase your tickets online. This event sells out every year! We have great food both Corned beef & Cabbage and wonderfully prepared Chicken by Anything Goes Catering. Music by Entertainment on the Move. Lots of Raffles and great prizes. Come enjoy the food, music, games and lots of fun!!!
Catholic Relief Services Thanks the People of Our Diocese for Typhoon Haiyan Support
The Chairman of the Catholic Relief Services Board, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, recently returned from the Philippines. He sent me a letter thanking the people of the Diocese of Grand Rapids for supporting our brothers and sisters who were impacted by Typhoon Haiyan. Archbishop Coakley asked me to share the link to a 2-minute ‘thank you’ video from CRS: http://emergencies.crs.org/philippines-typhoon-recovery-thank-you/. I thank you for your loving and caring hearts.
Sincerely Yours in the Lord,
Bishop David J. Walkowiak
Parish Building Plan FEASIBILITY UPDATE
LETTER SENT TO PARISHIONERS 2/20/14
February 2014
Dear Parishioners,
The Breton Group, who we have contracted to conduct our Parish Feasibility Study, has presented the results of the survey to Parish Leadership and the Councils. We are pleased to share with you this summary.
Parishioners recognize and appreciate the strong, responsible fiscal and pastoral leadership of Fr. Bill and his leadership team.
Parishioners appreciated the overall complexity of the project and the facility needs it is addressing. You were particularly supportive of the common/central entrance, larger gathering space and a central administrative and ministry support area, perceiving these areas as priority. Many noted their agreement with an investment in these components.
The size and scope of the project prompted parishioners to question the need for the proposed community center while also questioning the lack of attention to expanding seating in the church proper.
Although the majority of parishioners have positive feelings about the parish and its leadership in developing a thoughtful facility plan, parishioners are apprehensive and anxious about the $8.5 million total costs, which include substantial ($2.5 million) long term debt.
Parishioners indicated they would be more responsive to a scaled-back and re-prioritized project plan that addresses needs first, funded solely through a three-year capital campaign and existing funding sources.
The majority of parishioners are willing to make or consider a sacrificial campaign gift to a more modest project that does not require a substantial long-term loan.
Parishioners expressed generous availability and willingness to volunteer for a capital campaign and evidence of strong campaign leadership has evolved.
From the survey we believe the parish does have support for a more modest $4-$4.5 million capital campaign as part of an overall $5-$5.5 million facility project that does not require long-term debt. We have started the process of re-prioritizing the plans and will be presenting a modified plan to the parish in the very near future. Our goal is to begin planning for a Spring & Summer 2014 capital stewardship campaign. It is an exciting time in our parish and we appreciate your input and support. We heard what you said and we are revisiting the original plan to respond to your concerns.
Pastoral Planning 2013
Pastoral Planning 2013 Booklet
