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The Tower
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2006 & Beyond
Capital Improvements
October 8, 2006
Opportunities for
Memorials - Stained Glass
St. Julie parish is going forward with the stained glass project. Donors
will be able to contribute to this project by calling the office or stopping
by and talking with Rita.
The donors themselves will be acknowledged according to nine categories of
giving. In addition, donors can specify names of loved ones they wish to
honor through their contribution. These memorial names will be etched into
the narthex windows (the large corner windows that look out on the Mary
statue, the two windows on either side of the church entrance doors, and—if
needed—the side glass windows of the narthex entrances).
Categories of Donors for Stained Glass Project
The nine categories of giving correspond to the ranks of angels in the
heavenly host:
Seraphim $10,000 +
Cherubim $7,500 – $9,999
Thrones $6,000 – $7,499
Dominions $5,000 – $5,999
Virtues $4,000 – $4,999
Powers $3,000 – $3,999
Principalities $2,000 – $2,999
Archangels $1,000 – $1,999
Angels $500 - $999
Ranks of Donors and
Memorial Names of Loved Ones
Each rank of donation comes with an increasing number of names that can be
memorialized:
Seraphim: 20
Cherubim: 15
Thrones: 12
Dominions: 10
Virtues: 8
Powers: 7
Principalities: 6
Archangels: 5
Angels: 4
If the number of memorial
names becomes more than can be accommodated in the window etchings, we will
include them in a memorial book similar to the book on the wall of the
narthex.
Style of Stained Glass
The style of the stained glass will be contemporary, to match the style of
the church itself. The pattern of the stained glass will echo the patterns
found in the stained glass crucifix which hangs at the entrance of the
church.
The patterns found in the crucifix will be repeated and modified throughout
the windows of the church: the two shrine windows and the clerestory windows
(the uppermost windows above the arch).
The stained glass project will begin with the windows of the church, and
will possibly continue with the windows in the chapel, depending on how many
contributors there are and how large the stained glass fund becomes. Once
the church (and possibly, the chapel) are completed, we will then install
etched glass on the entrance doors of the church.
As you can determine for yourself from this column, the stained glass
project is an evolving one. It depends on the number of donors and the
amount of money that is raised.
We have to start somewhere—and see where this project goes. Stained glass
windows and etched entrance doors to the church have been promised for some
time.
Report from
4/16/06
Send No Money!!
We are not set up for donations yet. This is just a “heads up” to let
you know and plan for what’s coming this fall.
First Steps
We had a very constructive conversation at our last parish council
meeting, held on the evening of April 6. Parishioners have asked about
stained glass and about the bell-tower. So, I brought these concerns to
the council and received good feedback.
The strategic planning process that occurred shortly after I arrived
here (five years ago) identified our most pressing physical need: the
construction of parish offices. Since then, we have accomplished that
goal along with that of providing space for a youth drop-in center,
additional meeting space (the Great Room), and adding a prayer chapel
dedicated to Mary (with vigil candles for people to light when they
pray).
We acted on that strategic plan because the need was great—we were so
strapped for space. The parish lay leadership decided to move forward
with the building project in spite of the church itself being
incomplete.
At the parish council meeting on April 6, we made the first steps toward
completing the church building and providing for etched and stained
glass doors and windows.
We are also in the first stages of planning to erect a bell-tower and
new canopy which will be situated at the “front door” of the church at
the north side of the narthex. Stained glass, etched glass, entrance
canopy and bell-tower will all be part of one project for which people
can memorialize their contributions in memory of living or deceased
loved ones.
Memorial Opportunities
The parish is opening memorial opportunities for those who would like to
contribute. We realize that there are some parishioners who have already
contributed to the stained glass fund.
These previous contributions—made to St. Julie parish back when the church
was being built—will be acknowledged.
Cost of the Project
We already know that the canopy and bell-tower will cost us just over
$200,000 (if you recall this was part of the office plan but had to be set
aside for lack of funds). By the time we actually begin building them, the
canopy and bell-tower may cost more, due to inflation.
The cost of adding stained and etched glass windows and doors to the church
building depends, in part, on which company makes them. We haven’t got to
that point yet, and won’t, until we raise some money for this project.
Adding stained and etched glass everywhere we’d like to do so will certainly
cost a substantial amount of money.
Design Idea
We can tell you this much: whatever company designs the stained glass, they
will be contemporary in style, to complement the interior design of the
church itself. One idea we are considering is to pick up the design of the
stained glass crucifix and amplify that design throughout the windows of the
church and chapel.
Where
We’ve got a lot of glass in this contemporary church. What specific windows
are we talking about?
Shrines - Clerestory Windows - Doors
The first windows to be installed would be those behind the two statues (of
Mary and St. Julie Billiart). We would also like to install stained glass in
the clerestory windows (the uppermost windows at the top of the arch). We
would also like to install etched glass in the main doors coming into
church.
Weekday Chapel
In addition, there will be opportunities to memorialize the windows in the
chapel, both the clerestory windows there and the side and back wall
windows. If enough donations come in, we would also like to do the top
windows in the narthex.
Mary Chapel
The window in Mary Chapel will also be realized in stained glass. This
window has a design and a picture of the design may be seen in the parish
office.
Location of Memorials
Memorialized names would be etched into the glass window behind the ambry
(where the Holy Oils are kept—just to the north of the font). We may also
use the corner window in the narthex to display memorialized names, if
needed.
On-Going Project
This project will probably be completed in stages, over many years. Donors
will need only to specify which project they are giving toward: (a) canopy
and bell-tower, or (b) stained and etched glass.
Obviously, the canopy and bell-tower will be erected once we receive the
full amount of the projected cost. The stained and etched glass windows can
be installed as money comes in to cover the cost of each window or groups of
windows.
Grateful
The parish staff and myself are grateful for the many dedicated parishioners
who have sacrificed so much in order to build up this parish from its humble
beginnings. We should all be proud of the accomplishments of this faith
community in building buildings and organizing vibrant ministries.
If our past history is any indication, we can do this! We can make this
happen!
More information on all of this, as we move forward. Thank you!
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St Julie Billiart
Parish