St. Francis of Assisi Parish

Fr. David Shared the Following Survey Results & Next Steps at the Weekend Masses.

I’d like to take a few minutes to review the results of the Social Center Survey and talk about our next steps.

• 96% of the survey respondents said they would like to move forward with a new Social Center.
• The biggest concern shared by everyone is the cost and the affordability.
• A great deal of ideas and information was provided which will help direct the Building Committee as they begin the process of developing a plan for a new Social Center that will serve our current parish needs and, in the years to come.

This is great news and provides us with a goal to work towards as a community. It also means that there are steps we can take now to make our new Social Center a reality.

1. As in all things, we must ask God to be at the center of this project, for through Him all things are possible.

• I would ask each of us to pray the following prayer daily.

Heavenly Father, You are the Architect and Creator of all things Holy,

hear our prayers for our new Social Center.
Send forth Your Spirit that we may humbly be guided by Your Divine Will.
Touch our hearts with true generosity to raise up a space
for our community to encounter You outside of Mass,
to provide opportunities to walk with each other in faith,
and to draw others into relationship with You.
We ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen

2.  A strong fiscal foundation for this project is very important.

• The Finance Committee is currently working to re-assess our parish budget to get our fiscal house in order. This past year, we incurred many large and unexpected expenses which included: roof repairs, a boiler replacement, and some major air conditioning expenses, just to name a few. As a result, we are operating with a deficit.

• In the next few weeks, they will be sharing what we need to do as a community to get our finances on track for the year ahead and to position us to support a new Social Center.

3.  A vision for the new Social Center can be researched and developed.

• In the next month or so, I will be establishing a Building Committee from the long list of people who expressed an interest in being part of this process.

• This group will then begin the process of assessing the needs of the various parish groups and ministries.

• Equally important will be consulting people who possess knowledge and skills that will give insight to the needs and requirements of specific spaces.

• This group will also be tasked with envisioning the future needs of the parish, so that the new Social Center will enable us to grow.

4. We can begin funding this project.

• Based on the incredible effort put forth by the community at our recent Tag Sale, I am encouraged that we can do great things when we work together for a common goal.

• In the next month or so, I will be establishing a Fundraising Committee from the list of people who expressed an interest in being part of this process.

• I will encourage them to get creative and consider a variety of ideas to help us reach our still-to-be-determined financial goal.

• And I would once again remind you of how important it is to continue making monthly contributions to our Building Fund. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to making the new Social Center a reality.

As a parish, we have much work ahead of us to reach the desired goal of building a new Social Center that will better serve the needs of our community. I am encouraged by the survey responses, and I believe that together we can do this.