Parish Letter - 04/11/2005
Dear St. John's Parishioner,
Greetings to you in this Easter season.
The work of renovating and restoring the physical structure of St. John's has occurred at various times in our 118 years. In 1923, the whole front half of the church was added. Right after World War II, the stained glass windows in the body of the church appeared. Following Vatican II, the community witnessed at least a dramatic shift in the placement of the altar as the presider began to face the assembly.
In 2005, the St. John's community, now in its third year of renewal, is approaching a time when we need to renovate and restore the interior of the church space and building's infrastructure.
To that purpose, Fr. Thelen and the Parish Council formed the St. John's Building Renewal Committee in January of this year. After several meetings this committee is taking the next step in the process": we are now ready to begin the more focused preparatory work of moving toward some sort of renewal of our worship space. And, you will want to be part of it. Please take note:
On Sunday, April 17th, 9:15 - 10:15 am in Lower St. John's, Fr. Bert Thelen, SJ and Dr. Eileen Burke-Sullivan will put our renewal of the building in the context of the renewal that our parish has taken on these past few years. In addition, they will give an overview of the process of developing a plan for this project. There will be time for questions and answers.
That same week, you will also notice that some much-needed restoration of the stained glass windows in the church will commence. You may have noticed that several of these windows have begun to bow out. Not a good sign. The parish has engaged a company that has a very fine reputation for re-leading stained glass windows.
On Sunday, April 24th, 9:15 - 10:15 am in Lower St. John's, Brother William Woger, FSC, director of the Archdiocesan Office of Worship will present a very helpful and informative program about church architecture that flows from the directives the U. S. bishops have issued recently regarding restoration and renovation of churches.
There are few times in the life of a parish that are more vital - and anxiety provoking! - as renewing its worship space. It is of the highest importance that we, all together, enter into this process convinced that it has to do with renewing our lives spiritually as well as deepening our knowledge the liturgy and love of God whom we encounter in worship.
Let us pray for one another during this season of renewal. May God enliven our community as we hope, delight, anxiously care, and trust during these days. Let us pray with the Psalmist:
"Unless the LORD build the house, they labor in vain who build. Unless the LORD guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch."
Fr. Bert Thelen, pastor
and the St. John's Building Renewal Committee