Pray for me! I'm on the Remodeling Committee

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SanClemente

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Our pastor has asked me to serve on a small parish committee that will decide the scope, scale and priorities for remodeling our solid but well-worn church building. While I’ve handled a number of home remodeling projects, this is a task bigger than anything I’ve worked on. We can thank God that the project has been financed by a generous donation, so fund raising isn’t an issue.

So, I’m writing to ask for two things: first, your prayers that our committee can envision God’s will for this project.

My second request is for some sources I can use to prepare for this job. Books and magazines will work, and on-line references will be useful too.

Any wisdom from others who’ve held a similar job will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

SC
 
I was on the remodelling committee at my church two years ago. The renovation was a great success.

Our renovation came about due to disastrous changes that were made in the late 80s/ early 90s. Before the 80’s renovations the tabernacle stood in the sanctuary, we had a Chapel, Lady Altar, Confessional etc. Then the new priest got his teeth into it … The recessed area where the tabernacle stood at the rear of the sanctuary was simply “Blocked up” to create a straight wall. The Blessed sacrament was removed to the Chapel … Our Lady was sent to the freshly ripped out confessional and the confessional simply wasn’t replaced. Oh and he decided to put a load of plants on wires up the walls behind the altar.

Thankfully a new pastor arrived in 2000 and for the next 3-4 years he planned carefully with the committee how to restore the church’s once had beauty. The wall was ripped down - tabernacle back in the centre. Lady altar restored and the confessional brought back!

As you can imagine it didn’t take much time for him to convince the committee that these things needed to be done. The way he went about things and how he approached the group with possible controversial issues [eg. the moving of the tabernacle back into the sanctuary - one committee member at the time commented that it should be on a track so it can go backwards and forwards depending on the priest] played a big part in the success of the renovation. Here and here are two photos of the finished product [unfortunately I don’t have a pre-renovation photo]. I’d say the only possible mistake made in the renovations was the light carpet - it gets messy in the winter.

This a forum you may find interesting archiseek.com/content/showthread.php?t=4691 - this particular thread is regarding remodelling of Catholic Church’s in Ireland - I know your not in Ireland but some issues these guys bring up seem to be commonplace across the world.

Whatever you do though - try to avoid your church turning into this.this Haha 😉
 
I’d suggest you visit The New Liturgical Movement (www.thenewliturgicalmovement.blogspot.com) and read some of their archives. One of their focuses is Catholic architecture and (good) renovation. Also email the blog owner, Shawn Tribe, and ask him your question. I’m sure he could point you to some good resources.
 
VociMike said:
I’d suggest you visit The New Liturgical Movement (www.thenewliturgicalmovement.blogspot.com) and read some of their archives. One of their focuses is Catholic architecture and (good) renovation. Also email the blog owner, Shawn Tribe, and ask him your question. I’m sure he could point you to some good resources.
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Here are the specific renovation pictures.

And while these are note pictures of renovations, perhaps they can be inspiration.
Sanctuary
Lady Altar
Sacred Heart Chapel
 
My friend, anyone willing to serve on a remodeling committee – truly a thankless job – deserves all prayers requested.
 
SanClemente said:
Our pastor has asked me to serve on a small parish committee that will decide the scope, scale and priorities for remodeling our solid but well-worn church building. While I’ve handled a number of home remodeling projects, this is a task bigger than anything I’ve worked on. We can thank God that the project has been financed by a generous donation, so fund raising isn’t an issue.

So, I’m writing to ask for two things: first, your prayers that our committee can envision God’s will for this project.

My second request is for some sources I can use to prepare for this job. Books and magazines will work, and on-line references will be useful too.

Any wisdom from others who’ve held a similar job will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

SC
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Now, what sin could you possibly have committed that earned you such a severe penance. Check out the USCCB web site. There are official documents about this stuff. You might also read Michael Rose’s book Ugly as Sin.
 
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