During the course of designing the parish expansion, as well as during fundraising efforts, a question that has been raised several times has been regarding the addition of the bell tower and adoration chapel.  Why are these parts of the expansion being included now, when it seems there are more important parts, such as the addition of new classrooms and the complete enlarging of the parish hall?  Compared to these spaces, a bell tower and adoration chapel don’t seem to be as necessary or useful.  So, why are they being included?

  The first reason that they are part of the current project is that St. Joseph’s has received several significant contributions to the project that were designated for the construction of a bell tower and adoration chapel.  These parts of the project have mostly been funded by specific funds.  If they are not built, the funds cannot be used for other portions of the project.  This is at the request of the donors.

  Secondly, the addition of the bell tower and adoration chapel are being included because they meet a very important spiritual need of our parish: the graces that come to parishioners through our worship of Jesus Christ present in the Holy Eucharist.  As a Catholic people, we are also a Eucharistic people, and if our faith does not grow with this expansion, then it is not fulfilling its purpose.  If prayer and our growing relationship with God are as important as we say they are, then we are called to “put our money where our mouth is” and give priority to creating a more noble and sacred space to hold Eucharistic adoration.

  Finally, the bell tower and adoration chapel have been welcomed with enthusiasm by many parishioners who saw the plans.  The building committee initially thought that they would be received less enthusiastically, but was surprised to learn the opposite was the case.  These elements of the new expansion have struck a chord of faith and pride with members of the parish, who desire to have a church that looks more distinctively Catholic in it’s architectural features.

The latest step in moving ahead with our parish capital campaign, "The Spirit is Building" and with the expansion of the parish facilities occurred on Thursday, June 5th.  At 1:15 p.m. that afternoon, representatives of our parish met with the Diocesan Building Commission.  Representing St. Joseph's was Andy Steffes, project architect; Joe Schieferecke, Parish Building Committee; Marcel Tajchman, Parish Finance Council; and Peggy Bahr, St. Joseph School Principal.

 The purpose of this meeting was to give our parish an opportunity to present the latest building designs with the Diocesan Building Commission (DBC).  The members of this commission reviewed the designs and offered their observations and input about the project.  It sounded as if our design was well received by the DBC and our parish representatives were able to offer answers and explanations as needed.

As of the date of this article, we are still awaiting a formal written response from the DBC to let us know how we may proceed with our project.  At the same time, we have revised a ten-year financial projection that we are to submit to the Diocesan Finance Office for review.  This projection will enable the diocese to determine the size of a loan they are willing to offer us to help us move ahead with construction.  As soon as we receive the letter from the DBC, then we will be able to forward the financial projection.  For the present, we wait patiently and prayerfully for the next step.

 Please keep our efforts to expand in your prayers, particularly through the intercession of St. Joseph, patron of our parish and the universal Church.