God's Kitchen
Bell Tower Restoration
Disciples In Mission
Calendar of Events
Weekly Bulletin
On August 22, 2009, the Building and Grounds Committee met to consider various ideas and proposals for the restoration of the bell tower. The committee selected a model that best fits the physical plan. On Saturday, October 10, the contractor and designers from Lakewood Construction were at our Parish Center to present the design and cost to the entire parish. For those who could not attend, please see the front cover of the bulletin and the architectural drawings in the church narthex for details. We would like you to review the following information:
Phase A: This is what we are interested in right now. Restore the tower and bring the tower bell back to the church. The estimated cost for this project is $97,000.00. On November 11, this plan will be presented to the Diocese of Grand Rapids for approval to begin at a favorable time for the parish. When will be the favorable time? It is as soon as we have half of the funds. Currently, if everybody fulfills their pledge for the Repair Our Church - Renew Our Hearts Capital Campaign, we will have seed money for the project, if not half of it. Keep using the campaign envelopes, and the bell will be back to the church more quickly than one thinks. Given the Blessed Virgin Mary is the patroness of this parish, it would be nice to have this project completed by August 15, 2010 (the Solemnity of Assumption of Mary) or December 8, 2010 (Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of Mary). Then, we can celebrate the rededication of the parish!
Some words about the design: Although unintended by the designer, the moment it was shown to the committee, some members mentioned that we can associate the spiral structures to some biblical images: for example, the prophet Elijah went up to heaven in a chariot amid a spiral of flames (2 Kings, 2: 11). So, we can look at the steel spiral to represent the flame spiral and the chariot can be represented by the cross in this design tower 2. For those who are interested in theological reflection, the fact that Elijah was taken up to heaven without going through the physical death often serves as a point of reference in speaking about the Assumption of Mary, Mother of God, the patroness of our parish. Another suggestion that the steel spiral can be related to is Jacob’s well in Genesis of the Old Testament. As this was mentioned, while unintended by the architect, it has become a point of spiritual reflection.
Phase B and C: Individual human beings always have dreams: some become reality, others forever exist in the realm of thoughts. So does the parish. As we move forward to restoring the bell tower and bring the bell back to the parish, we ask ourselves: how can we make the front entrance more warm and welcoming? Responding to this need of the people that congregate after Mass in the front of the church to talk and share conversation, an idea is to incorporate the front parking lot into one parish campus. The contractor gave some ideas.
Phase B is a prayer garden in front of the parking lot and the church as well as peaceful sitting areas for residents on a busy and difficult day, to enjoy the peaceful and the prayerful atmosphere. The statue that we are proposing to go into this area is the depiction of the 14th Station of the Station of the Cross. But whenever dreams become a reality, we can replace this statue with any one that fits the spiritual needs of the parish. It would be nice throughout the parish campus to have the complete set of Fourteen Stations of the Cross.
Phase C connects the parking lot tower4 (prayer garden) with the front of the church. Again, these are all dreams!!!! But it can become a reality when there are designated memorial contributions, or if a benefactor or a philanthropist sees the plan and his or her heart is moved. Keep dreaming!!! But for now, let us finish Phase A.