St. John the St. John the ApostleApostle

Building the Body of ChristBuilding the Body of Christ

Building Program Information Session ResultsBuilding Program Information Session Results

Confirmation Spirit DayConfirmation Spirit Day

Building Program NewsBuilding Program NewsSeptember 21 Information MeetingSeptember 21 Information Meeting

Over 100 people participated at the 4pm sessionOver 100 people participated at the 4pm session

Two data collections tools were used to gather information:Two data collections tools were used to gather information:

Please keep me informed!!!

Name: __________________________________________Email address: ___________________________________Would you like to be contacted as volunteer opportunities arise?

Yes NoWould you like to receive building program updates via email?

Yes NoWhat is your preference for frequency of communication?

Short weekly highlightsMonthly summaries of progressQuarterly review of progress and future plansOther

Help Us Understand

What is the most important thing you want the building committee to consider as we move forward?

Was there any information you were expecting to hear today that was not addressed?

Who would you recommend for leadership roles to ensure the success of our building program and the upcoming capital campaign?

Given where we are today with the building program, were your questions addressed?

If not, what additional information should be provided?

Do you have any additional comments regarding the building program? 

Arts & Liturgy

Jack Hanssen

Building Program NewsBuilding Program NewsSeptember 21 Information MeetingSeptember 21 Information Meeting

Building Committee Members were introducedBuilding Committee Members were introduced

Bio Summary Sheet is available in the literature racks in vestibule

Communication

Diane Beauchamp

Sue Patania

Jim Patania

Fundraising

Jack Fox

Phil Rusciolelli

Chairperson

Bill Knauer

Finance

Barry Nelen

Scribe

Betty Eisenmann

Hospitality

Katie Maceda

At Large

Jim Wynn

Karen Stapleton

Building Program NewsBuilding Program NewsSeptember 21 Information SessionSeptember 21 Information Session

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8

Yes

No

No Response

Would you be willing to volunteer as opportunities arise?

A “Keep Us Informed” card was completed by 69 of the individuals/couples who attended:

66

2 1

Yes

No

No Response

Would you like to be updated via email concerning the building program?

Additional yellow cards are available in the vestibuleComplete a card and deposit in the box provided to begin receiving email updates

Given where we are today with the building Given where we are today with the building program were your questions addressed?program were your questions addressed?

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5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Yes No

What is the most important thing you want the What is the most important thing you want the building committee to consider as we move forward?building committee to consider as we move forward?

All responses can be found in the Information Meeting Summary Report posted on www.stjohnleesburg.com

“Communication,Additional fundraisers”

“Should be beautiful inside”“Renewable Energy”

“Build a holy sanctuary”“An architectural plan firmly rooted in our faith, tradition, air of reverence . . .”

“Room or space for parents with small children – perhaps a large foyer . . .”“Build a beautiful traditional church for the glory of God and for our future families”

“Impart a clear sense of direction and accomplishments to the goal”“Balance building design vs. financial ability”

“Don’t settle for less than planned, we will only build one church . . .”

“Art lifts our hearts & minds to God”“Having a functional building”

“Future maintenance costs”“Build a Catholic Church in the Catholic tradition”

“Mass overflow, meeting places,

hearing assistance”

Building Program NewsBuilding Program News

ChallengesWhat could stand in our way?

PlanHow are we preparing to meet these challenges?

DependencyHow can you help?

Getting 50% of the estimated Getting 50% of the estimated cost in hand to break groundcost in hand to break ground

Initiate a 20 week fundraising Initiate a 20 week fundraising campaigncampaign

Commitment and generosity of Commitment and generosity of our parishionersour parishioners

Obtaining construction Obtaining construction permits, site plans, and special permits, site plans, and special exemptionsexemptions

Understanding and following Understanding and following the town's processthe town's process

Open communication with the Open communication with the towntown

Unforeseen construction Unforeseen construction problemsproblems

Prepare contingency plansPrepare contingency plans PrayerPrayer

We have a workable plan, a dedicated building committee and many We have a workable plan, a dedicated building committee and many parishioners ready to volunteer to get our church built!parishioners ready to volunteer to get our church built!

Building Program NewsBuilding Program NewsSeptember 21 Information MeetingSeptember 21 Information Meeting

Posted InformationPosted Information

Check out: www.stjohnleesburg.comHard copies of this package can also be picked up in the parish office during business hours.

Speakers Comments

Speakers Comments

Summary Report of all written comments

Summary Report of all written comments

Questions & Answers

Questions & Answers Committee

Members Biography

CommitteeMembers Biography

Spirit DaySpirit DayPreparation for ConfirmationPreparation for Confirmation

picturepicture

2008 Confirmation Class2008 Confirmation ClassSpirit DaySpirit Day

80 students participated in the 10:00am Mass80 students participated in the 10:00am Mass

Each student was given a crossEach student was given a cross

Father reinforced the theme for the day:

"Take up your cross“

as he asked the students to lift up their crosses,

“Lift them up high!”We then traveled to We then traveled to

Emmitsburg, MDEmmitsburg, MD

Why Emmitsburg?Why Emmitsburg?

National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes The National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton

The day was a pilgrimage to help us connect to our Catholic The day was a pilgrimage to help us connect to our Catholic heritageheritage

We learned about Catholicism’s roots in the United States We learned about Catholicism’s roots in the United States right at the time of the birth of our nationright at the time of the birth of our nation

We saw the hardships that were endured to establish We saw the hardships that were endured to establish Catholicism in our landCatholicism in our land

National Shrine Grotto of LourdesNational Shrine Grotto of Lourdes“We are half in the sky”“We are half in the sky”

This memorial campanile dedicated to the This memorial campanile dedicated to the glory of God and His Blessed Mother stands at glory of God and His Blessed Mother stands at the entrance to the National Shrine Grotto of the entrance to the National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes and marks the site of Saint Mary's Lourdes and marks the site of Saint Mary's Church which was built in 1805 by Father Church which was built in 1805 by Father John DuBois. John DuBois.

Father DuBois was founder of Mount St. Father DuBois was founder of Mount St. Mary's College and Seminary, and served as a Mary's College and Seminary, and served as a tower of strength to Mother Seton in the tower of strength to Mother Seton in the founding of the Sisters of Charity in the founding of the Sisters of Charity in the United StatesUnited States

The Confirmandi spent 90 minutes exploring The Confirmandi spent 90 minutes exploring the wooded paths leading to the Grotto which the wooded paths leading to the Grotto which are marked by beautiful Stations of the Cross are marked by beautiful Stations of the Cross and scenes from the Mysteries of the Rosaryand scenes from the Mysteries of the Rosary

We walked paths that the first American born saint walked – We walked paths that the first American born saint walked – Elizabeth Ann SetonElizabeth Ann Seton

Elizabeth Ann SetonElizabeth Ann Seton1774-18211774-1821

Born into a prominent Episcopalian family in New YorkBorn into a prominent Episcopalian family in New York Converted to Roman Catholicism following the death of Converted to Roman Catholicism following the death of

her husband – she was a 29 year old widow with 5 young her husband – she was a 29 year old widow with 5 young childrenchildren

She founded the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph's, the She founded the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph's, the first new community for religious women to be first new community for religious women to be established in the United States.  She also began Saint established in the United States.  She also began Saint Joseph's Academy, the first free Catholic School for girls Joseph's Academy, the first free Catholic School for girls staffed by Sisters in the United States. Her enduring staffed by Sisters in the United States. Her enduring legacy includes: legacy includes:

six religious communities with more than 5,000 members,six religious communities with more than 5,000 members, hundreds of schools, hundreds of schools, social service centers, and social service centers, and hospitals throughout America and around the world.  hospitals throughout America and around the world. 

The extraordinary manner in which Elizabeth lived an ordinary life flowed from the centrality of the Word of God and the Eucharist in her life.

Mother Seton in EmmitsburgMother Seton in EmmitsburgIn 1808 Elizabeth arrived in Emmitsburg with her five

children. Elizabeth and her girls moved into the stone house which was built in 1750 along with 12 other women. There she founded the Sisters of Charity on July 31, 1809.

In 1810 the “white house” was built to house the nuns and served as the first Catholic School in the United States. By 1821, when Elizabeth died, there were 80 students boarding at the school and 60 sisters.

The National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton was built in 1965. The remains of Mother Seton are entombed under the Altar of Relics in the Basilica. Mother Seton was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975.  She was the first citizen born in the United States to be Canonized

What did you like about Spirit Day?What did you like about Spirit Day?

“Meeting cool people who go to my Church”

“Hanging with friends”

“Being with my friends”

What did you like about Spirit Day?What did you like about Spirit Day?

“walking around the grotto”

“the grotto” “I liked being outside and looking at the stone statues.”

“seeing the stone that Elizabeth sat on”

“walking where a saint did”

“the scavenger hunt”

“Drinking the holy water and saying a prayer.”

What did you like about Spirit Day?What did you like about Spirit Day?

"Wow! If we had a church like this I'd go every day!""Wow! If we had a church like this I'd go every day!"

“Learning about Elizabeth Ann Seton’s life”

“Watching the movie”

“visiting the Basilica”

“being spiritual”

“the Basilica”

“the big Church”

“The Basilica – I want to get married there!”

“I liked visiting Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Shrine.”

“the relic”

“meditating”

What did you like about Spirit Day?What did you like about Spirit Day?

“The bus ride over and back was a blast, t

oo.”

“the bus ride”

“the bus ride”

“the bus ride”

“the bus ride”

“the bus ride”

“the bus ride”

“the bus ride”

“the bus ride”

“the bus ride”

Confirmation – What’s NextConfirmation – What’s Next Bishop Loverde will confirm our students on December 6Bishop Loverde will confirm our students on December 6thth in in

the Parish Center during two Saturday Massesthe Parish Center during two Saturday Masses In preparation the students are:In preparation the students are:

Performing service and keeping a service journalPerforming service and keeping a service journal Prayerfully selecting a confirmation namePrayerfully selecting a confirmation name Working with their chosen confirmation sponsor to explore their faith Working with their chosen confirmation sponsor to explore their faith

more deeplymore deeply Participating in an overnight retreat at Mar-Lu Ridge Retreat centerParticipating in an overnight retreat at Mar-Lu Ridge Retreat center Preparing a personal letter to Bishop Loverde expressing their desire to Preparing a personal letter to Bishop Loverde expressing their desire to

receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, completing their full initiation receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, completing their full initiation into the Catholic Faith. into the Catholic Faith.

Please pray for our candidates as they complete their preparation.