SIENNA CENTER PARISH HALL
Grateful for Our Past, Ready for Our Future
The Challenge | The Solution | Campaign Office | Sienna Center Plans | How to Pledge
SIENNA CENTER PARISH HALL
Grateful for Our Past, Ready for Our Future
The Challenge | The Solution | Campaign Office | Sienna Center Plans | How to Pledge
Architect's Rendition |
Floor Plans |
| READ ABOUT
THE SACRIFICES OUR FOREBEARS MADE TO BUILD
OUR CHURCH AND SCHOOL AT PARISH HISTORY |
With the building of suburbia after World War II, the parish experienced a growth that was nothing short of phenomenal. The parishioners urged Fr. Holzheimer to build a school and convent in 1956. Many of our present parishioners still remember the fund-raising efforts and sacrifices involved in that tremendous undertaking. The building was paid for in short order and became the center for Catholic schooling, Religious Education, meetings, social events, athletics, and the setting for the celebration of the Eucharist. In 1995 the venerable Parish Hall, which had been the scene of many a social, dance, and class succumbed to age, termites and the wrecker’s ball. At that time it was hoped that we could do without a Parish Hall. Time has told us we cannot. The number of families in our parish is continually growing, and now is over 4,400. We have an increasing number of children in our Religious Education program. By today’s standards our Catholic school is near capacity, and modern curriculum demands special rooms for computers, art, music, science, etc. All of our societies need adequate space for meetings. Some worthwhile programs have been cancelled for lack of adequate and consistent places to meet; for example, Al-Anon and Boy Scouts. Adult Education classes have been curtailed due to lack of space. Our own CYO program is forced to beg for space in other schools and parishes because the gym is used for so many social events. Our Youth community only meets once a week due to lack of space. The celebration of the Eucharist is hampered by poor sightlines and inadequate space. Our parish church does not meet ADA requirements for handicapped access. THE SOLUTION The lower level will have classroom space for our school and religious education. The rooms will also be available for meetings. Students will have lockers, and the furnishings will accommodate adults as well. The lower level will also have offices for our Youth Director and a multi-purpose room we hope to dedicate to our Youth Community, scouts, and other youth-oriented groups. The building will be handicapped accessible by an elevator from the Holzheimer Street entrance, and by a ramp from Lutz Street that will also connect to the church. The Sienna Center will also be connected to the school. It has been designed to be a modern brick facility that will blend with the style and architecture of the church and school. The Sienna Center meets our needs now and for the foreseeable future. It will cost $3.2 million to build. It is the first new building for St. Catherine’s in 44 years. All parishioners—young and old—will benefit from our new building. The spirit of sacrifice that has characterized St. Catherine’s Parish in the past must be called on again. It is up to all of us—young and old—to make the Sienna Center a reality. With the generous participation of all of our families, the burden will not be great. We ask each family to consider their level of participation. We, the parish family of Saint Catherine of Sienna Church, must supply the means to achieve these goals by doing the best we can with our financial resources. We have been faithful stewards. Now is the time to move ahead with conviction, with foresight, and most of all, with faith. Today as the new caretakers of St. Catherine’s, we take possession of our future with courage and joy. |
READ ABOUT
THE SACRIFICES OUR FOREBEARS MADE TO BUILD OUR CHURCH AND SCHOOL AT PARISH HISTORY |
A Letter from Rev. Thomas W. Groenewold, our Pastor
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| If you have any questions or concerns about the campaign
please, contact Jennifer Compton,
Campaign Director. The Campaign office is located in the Rectory.
Do not hesitate to stop by or call at 352-0146. If you cannot reach
her during office hours, please leave a message and she will return the
call. You can also e-mail the Campaign Office at: Jencmjm@aol.com
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| At a parish meeting on September 14th, Fr. Groenewold,
Pastor of Saint Catherine's, explained to the assembled parishioners the
needs of the parish for additional meeting and assembly space. After
a prayer to invoke the Lord's guidance in the discernment process, Father
Tom introduced the members of a panel. These included Mark Ialenti,
an active parishioner, former president of the School Parents' Association,
a CYO Director and member of the Pastoral Council; Mr. John Scarlatta,
whose firm designed the new building, and Mr. Thomas Farrell of the Martin
J. Moran Company, consultants in fund-raising. An active and positive
discussion followed the presentations.
The Sienna Center is a one-story limestone brick building, designed to match the existing buildings on the property. The new Center will truly be the center of the parish structures because it will connect both the church and the school. The Center's handicapped ramp will connect to a plaza near the existing sacristy entrance to the church. Turning left on the plaza will lead one to the new door under the second church window to allow for handicapped accessibility to the 75 year-old church. Some seats in two pews will be removed to allow for wheelchairs. Turning right on the plaza will lead to the main lobby of the new Center. The main entrance of the center will be from Holzheimer Street and will "twin" the glass-dominated entrance to the school auditorium/gymnasium. Steps will lead to the main floor of the new center. Handicapped parishioners entering from Holzheimer Street will be able to substitute an elevator ride. A glass entrance to the main hall will allow for a "crying room" effect for parents with small children who will both be able to see and hear events in the main hall. Since the new hall will be used for the celebration of the Eucharist, a permanent sanctuary will be erected on the west side of the room. A skylight will brighten the sanctuary area. Approximately 678 people will be accommodated for Mass. When the hall is used for social functions, a wall will enclose the sanctuary. Flexibility of the hall also allows the main room to be sub-divided into five smaller meeting rooms for parish societies, adult education and religious education. Each of the five rooms will have independent entrances so those participants will not interfere with another meeting. The main level also features a kitchen and handicapped toilets. Storage areas on the main floor will permit stowage of tables and extra chairs as well as equipment needed for individual groups who will meet in the rooms. Stairs and elevator will service the lower level. It will contain four classrooms, a multi-purpose room, a large storage and workshop facility, custodian's office and office for the Director of the Youth Community. The classrooms will be designed and furnished so that they may also be used for religious education and adult meetings. The main toilet facilities will be on the lower level. Direct access to Lutz Street will allow flexibility and safety. A multi-phased fund drive is planned to begin in mid-October. The project could then go to bid in January or February in 2001. Work will commence with the spring weather. Construction will take approximately one year. A tentative date of completion is set for April 29, 2002, the Feast of St. Catherine of Sienna. This once-in-a-generation project calls for the support of all parishioners and friends of St. Catherine's and will meet the needs of youth and adults for future generations of St. Catherine parishioners. |
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Architect's Rendition |
Floor Plans |
A Letter from Rev. Thomas W. Groenewold, our Pastor