Building Vote Results
Dear Friends,
Last December, the parish leadership and I initiated a parish-wide vote on the building proposal which the building committee, after weeks and months of research and countless meetings, had put together. The details of that proposal were presented to our different commissions and committees and to the entire community during the month of November. Finally the information was posted on our website and it is still available online.
Now, the question put to you was to answer and help me determine whether this community had “the patience and was willing to make a long-term commitment to construct a new church and a gym social hall”. Although the pastoral council and our various commissions had already put their weight behind the proposal, we decided to bring the matter before you because you have the final say in this process.
After collecting all the votes, the building committee and members of the pastoral council met to analyze the results that I am about to announce. I am pleased to report to you that we received 597 votes, which represents 44.7% of our active members. 359 respondents, that is 60.1%, said yes to the proposal, while 238, that is 39.9%, said No. Despite the scary times of ours, you have decided that the parish should move forward with the plan to build a new church and gym/social hall in phases.
While I applaud your courage and salute your determination, I understand that a good number of us have voiced some reservations about this project. In the coming weeks, personal invitations will be sent to those who have advised against the project to join me for an open and frank discussion.
Also, in the coming weeks, the building committee will convene and explore our next steps. Common sense tells us that now is not the time to begin the campaign for funds. That will come as soon as we begin to see some signs of economic recovery. Yet, in the meantime, I will ask the liturgy commission to start thinking about the interior design of the new church. Your ideas and suggestions will be of great help to the commission.
I hope this communication puts all speculations to rest as we now begin a new chapter in this project. It is fitting that we all understand that, unlike other voting processes, ours was not about winning or losing. It was about all of us coming together and deciding what’s best for the future of our growing community. I encourage us all to get on board and work for the success of this project.
Before I close, let me thank Jeff Elekes and the building committee for their excellent work and commitment. Let me thank you all for your continued support to Christ’s work here at St. Thomas More Parish. I am blessed and happy to be your priest administrator. Please keep me in your prayers as I promise to keep you all in mine.
Fr. Maurice