June 26, 2005: WE CELEBRATE TODAY - After the 5:00 pm mass on Saturday and after each of the Sunday masses, we are gathering on the patio on the Kirk Avenue side of the church to mark the completion of Project I. When you think of it, everyone has been involved in one way or another over the past several months. We can celebrate together the interest, the support, the patience, the planning, the workmanship that bring us to this point in the steps of our master plan. As we have something cold to drink and have a snack we can congratulate each other and all those directly involved.

UNANIMOUS VOTE - Through the months those who are on the scene regularly have been unanimous in praising the workers on our job. The regular Matcon workers and the men from the various crafts, here for a short time, have all been praised for the work they have done. Their concern for the people and events around the church and school, and for the seriousness of their efforts in good weather and bad. They've been great.

ROOM FOR OURS? - It is the question raised about the pavers on our two patios. You may still order one or more. We add new ones sixteen blocks at a time. The fee is $125 a paver. Forms are available at the rectory office or back of the church. Make checks payable to St. Ursula Capital Campaign.

June 19, 2005: SATURDAY/SUNDAY - PROJECT I CELEBRATION -
On Saturday, June 24th, after the 5:00 pm Mass and on Sunday after each Mass, we will mark the completion of Project Group I of our Master Plan. We will do it simply with some light refreshment on the new patios beside the church hall. It is a way for us to stop, take a breath, look around and say "Hurray For Us". We have come quite a way since our first meetings to ask "What should we do about our facilities?" Congratulations are in order for planners, contributors, and workers. Our thanks to all.

AND THEN: "Taking a breath" is in order, but only briefly. In July, we will bring together some who will continue the Capital Campaign which names us as "Stewards of our Future". Advisors from our Diocesan Development Office are already giving some guidance. Our Parish Council, as reported earlier, discussed over two meetings what our next focus would be. At the second (May meeting), the members voted (15 - 5) to continue the steps leading to an activities building, as generally laid out in the schematic design for all the projects in succession.
The Building Committee and the Capital Campaign Committee over the summer will prepare an outline of these steps and present them to keep all informed. Thank the Lord for steps taken; pray for our continuing efforts.

WHO DID THE WORK? - So often, over the Fall, Winter and Spring, people commented "What great workers are doing this job?" Individuals and companies were:

Todd Havekotte, Architect
Matcon Construction, General Contractor
David Matesic, Owner and Employees
Sub-contractors
        - Wellington Electric
         - McKamish Heating & Cooling
Marsa Masonry Co - School Brick Work
R. I. Lampus Company - Pavers
Lane Asphalt Paving Co
Special Donations: Dom Dirienzo - Trees and Shrubs
Penn Landscaping: Tony Vacarella - Soil preparation and planting

May 22, 2005: OPTIONS, CHOICES, PARALYSIS? PROGRESS? - Our Parish Council members met this past Monday for the second session of serious discussion about our parish's plans for the future. With clear and honest differences about the next direction we would take in regard to our facilities the Council considered the recommendation of the Building Committee. This group proposed that we take the preliminary steps toward erecting the Activities Building and the alterations needed for it. At the same time, our Capital Campaign would go into its next phase, securing the funds for the Activities Building.
Over the course of two meetings questions were answered, varieties of views were respectfully shared, the difficulties of pursuing additional major projects were voiced. Called to vote, the members gave their support for the proposal, which was amended to include dealing with any priority items for the church or school, as they would become clear, particularly in the area of "health and safety". The proposal passed by an over two-thirds vote.
Making choices, working hard to insure progress require much more than committees' voting. The evidence offered by parishioners since we first met seven years ago to consider our future is clear. As a parish, we are responding to the Lord's gifts in our lives and we continue to join together to make good things happen.
The extent of the Capital Campaign, thus far, all those inscribed pavers in the new patios, the sidewalks leading to the new church entrance, the extraordinary service by our teachers in CCD and school, the 200+ people soon producing our annual festival are all glowing signs of lively and generous faith.
Our committees have made clear choices in order that we do have progress, not paralysis. (The minutes of the Parish Council meeting will be available next Sunday).
We need to keep all these efforts in our prayers. It will take several months of work on the Capital Campaign before we can begin the architectural drawings for this Project # II.

April 24, 2005: BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATE - Months of work on our Group Project I are drawing to a close. The target is the middle of May for completion. The new doors in the church hall prompted a painting of the hall and most have seen what a difference the work there has accomplished, both under our contract and through volunteers. Two items of work occurring this coming week are the installation of the outside lights and the beginning of placing the pavers on the patios. There will be twenty-three lights installed, some as guides on the walkways. Since the primary purpose of the new parking area is providing handicapped access, it is important to install good lighting. The patios are really taking shape. The slope to the parking area is such that in addition to the new steps to that patio, we must build a temporary (but nice) new wall. Orders have been placed for the named pavers. The plain will be installed first. (There is still time to order pavers. See the forms at the church exits).
The Building committee met this past week to both review the progress to date and to look toward solidfying the steps it must take to prepare for our next project. Our Parish Master Plan and the schematic designs already proposed will form the basis for their continuing work.
All appreciate the generous support to date through the consistent meeting of pledges to the Capital Fund.

March 27, 2005: BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATE - The Committee's current members are Tim Hanna, Mary Jaconski, Brian Johnston, and Bill Trefz.
All seemed quite pleased with the new lobby/entrance to the school building at ground level. A set of interior doors leading to the corridor is to be added, plus some finish sheeting to the canopy over the new doors. Truly gives a new look to the lower front of the building.
Around the church, our contractor is now on the Spring tasks of concrete walks and landscaping. Steps and wall are to be added on the Cole Ave. side of the lower church. The plans call for a variety of trees and bushes. Along Cole Ave, we have seen the need for a guide rail and it is in the process of being installed.
Note, the purpose of the new parking area is to accommodate those with special needs for access. Please be aware of their "priority".

March 13, 2005: SHORT NOTES - The new entrance into the school ground floor is worth seeing. Our architect and contractors have done well. The brick work inside is especially interesting for its match-up of the original outside wall of the end of the school building and the new brickwork inside the "Lobby."
Across the way - you may still sign up for Pavers. Forms are at the church exits or find them in the Parish Office.

February 13, 2005: BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATE - Finishing touches always take more time and more care. The workers of Matcon and the subcontractors are completing the electrical, heating, floor, and door work of the new lower entrance into the school. The new temporary entrance into the church is nearly complete, as well. Just need the glass into the new doors. However, we will have the use of the congregation-level entrance only after the top paving layer of the lot is completed in the Spring. You will also see the new two sets of doors and new window on the lower level, where the patio (and pavers) will be. It is all taking shape. - In the meantime, we are working toward more specific estimates for our next projects in the Master Plan.

January 30, 2005: CAPITAL CAMPAIGN - The reports for contributions made during the calendar year 2004 have been mailed. If you did not receive yours or you find some discrepancy, please call Marlyn Carle of our Finance Council at 412-486-5373.
Those doing the record keeping for the Capital Campaign ask that you always write a separate check for campaign contributions (as well as Parish Share) and not include the amount with a Sunday Offering check. Record keeping is done by different persons at different times.
Those who have completed their first pledge for the Capitol Campaign, or who made an initial contribution without a pledge for future giving, may wish at this time to pledge for the coming 36 months. Capital Campaign, "Stewards of our Future" envelopes are placed at the exits.

BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATE - Even with frigid temperatures over some days the workers from Matcon kept at it. Inside the newly positioned ground floor entrance to the school building, some of the restroom tile has been replaced with brick work. As with the brick on the outside, our contractor found brick very much like the building's original.
An interesting development was the uncovering of the original outside wall of the end of the school building. As some restroom tile comes down, that brick becomes part of the new entrance.
The manufacturer of the doors and frames for church and school is delivering them at this time to our contractor. Some will soon be installed, including the side entrance doors of the church - on the Mary Altar side.

January 9, 2005: BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATES:
Two obvious changes in our "landscape" are the placement of large tanks for run-off rain water from the new parking area and the work to make the school entrances accessible. Eventually the tanks will be completely buried and new trees and shrubs will hide the drains. - At the flag-pole entrance of the school, quite a change is underway for the sake of accessibility. The old entrance has been "bricked-up" and a new opening has been made eliminating one of the girl's restrooms on the ground floor. The restroom is being transformed into a lobby. On the exterior you will see new brick work for the accessible ramp into the school. The weather has been very much in our favor.

The Brick Paver deadline for the initial price of $100 is January 15. Capital Campaign donations are coming in very well. Have you made a pledge? Capital Campaign envelopes are placed in the magazine rack.

January 2, 2005: CONSTRUCTION UPDATE -- What a nice switch! -- from mud to asphalt. And just in time for Christmas. Our contractor and his very helpful crew got the newly paved area ready with markers, tape, and gravel edging ready for Christmas Eve masses. With the "entrance only" on Cole Ave and the "exit only" on Kirk, all worked out well. Our architect worked out a parking plan and there was room for even more than designed. We will be able to use this space over the coming weeks some of the time. The workers will have to close it off when they continue putting in drains and the catch basins you see on the side. Meanwhile, the work on the upper school entrance is complete, except for the railings on the new ramp and the bricks to frame the new opening at the entrance. The lower entrance is much more complicated, since it requires changing the one bathroom into a new lobby with entrance in to the stair well. The old entrance will be closed. This work will eliminate the steps onto the cafeteria level.
In the meantime, entry to the pre-school and to the various activities on the ground floor will take place through the main school lobby and down, or through the "play gym" and up. This short-term inconvenience will be clearly worthwhile, once the accessibility is complete.

December 26, 2004: BRICK PAVERS - Extension to January 15 - The initial price of $100 for four lines on the large brick pavers has been extended to January 15. - After that date -$125. The pavers will be set on the brick patio beside the lower church entrances. You may secure a form for the listing of your text for the pavers. Forms are placed on the model in the church vestibule or you my call the parish offices to have one mailed to you. Over a hundred have been reserved. Many more are available.

BUILDING COMMITTEE NOTES: The base coat of asphalt went down by Lane Paving on the last possible day for securing asphalt. Even with the mud, the generally good weather this Fall made it possible to get this accomplished. Work will continue, weather permitting, on the school entrances and on the new doors and windows on each side of the church hall. Frosty the Snowman is in charge of the schedule.

December 19, 2004: DO BRING THEM - Even though our construction work is limiting our access a little, know that the walkway across the outside rear of the church is open and clear. Bringing older persons to Christmas Masses is still workable. Use the spaces between the rectory and the school for parking. Just know that it will take a little extra time as you leave mass.
Do tell older persons and visitors about our rather recently constructed restroom, close to the upper parking lot exit.

December 12, 2004: MASTER PLAN/CONSTRUCTION UPDATE - As you might have noticed, there is mud everywhere! The contractor has run into underground water and that, combined with the inclement weather, has created quite a mess. While waiting for the ground to dry a little, work has moved over to the upper school entrance for the accessible ramp. While the school is closed during Christmas break, the lower entrance will be worked on.
The contractor hopes to be able to put the base level of asphalt on the driveway around the church within the next couple of weeks. This will eliminate some of the mud and enable them to continue with the storm water management work. The pavers are selling quite well. The contractor has informed us that the patios will probably not be placed this season, so we have extended the introductory price for the pavers until January 15. Blank forms are available in the back of the church or at the rectory. Thank you for your order!

December 5, 2004: ENGRAVED PAVERS - As part of the Capital Campaign and first building projects, St. Ursula will be making available the opportunity to purchase engraved paver stones to be placed in the patios and walkways that will soon be constructed near the church. They will be 12 inches by 12 inches and have room for up to 4 lines of engraving. They could be used to commemorate a birthday, honor a family or remember a loved one. They would also make lovely Christmas gifts. They will be available during the next two weeks for $100 each. After this initial offer they will be available for $125. There are forms in the church or at the rectory.