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Update:
August 2003
St. Leo Church Renovation Update.
In a couple of weeks, you will begin to see significant changes in the worship
space of St. Leo Church. On Monday, October 20, we will begin to remove the wooden
structure currently behind the altar area. We will then construct a permanent
sanctuary and choir area with handicapped ramp access. The new sanctuary and choir
area will be covered with ceramic tile. Its background will be a free standing wall
with a cross made of back-lit stained glass. In response to parishioners' comments, we
have changed the color of the wall to a light brown. In front of the wall, we will have
the bronze corpus being fashioned by John Lajba. After many months of planning and
preparation, I am excited to begin this project. The entire project will be completed
with the laying of carpet in parts of the building not already carpeted during this year.
I would like to share with you the series of events which led up to this historic event
in the life of St. Leo Parish.
Renovation Timeline
2000 We conducted a Capital Campaign with a number of objectives. The largest amount of money was committed to improvements at
St. Pius X/St. Leo School. The campaign also included carpet for St. Leo plant and construction of a cross for our church.
Early in 2002 Fr. Buse established a renovation committee composed of staff members, parish council members and other parishioners
to begin to form plans for the Church renovations and construction of a cross.
August 13, 2002 Extensive presentation to the parish council concerning the plans being developed for renovation.
January 14, 2003 Formal presentation of renovation plans to the parish council. Resounding approval was given by the council to
proceed with plans as presented.
March 7, 2003 Fr. Buse and Tom Pogge met with Archbishop Curtiss to present and explain our renovation plans and Cross project.
Response of the archbishop was enthusiastic and supportive.
March 9, 2003 Update on renovation plans in "Fr. Harry's Buseness".
March 30, 2003 Update on renovation plans in "Fr. Harry's Buseness".
April 6 & 8, 2003 "Unveiling" information meetings for parishioners of St. Leo.
These were followed by opportunity for parishioners
to make comments through a suggestion box placed in the commons.
April 8, 2003 We signed the contract with John Lajba
to construct a bronze corpus of Christ to stand in front of the stained glass Cross.
April 27, 2003 Update on renovation plans in "Fr. Harry's Buseness".
April 29, 2003 Archbishop Curtiss signed the official delegation for us to complete
the project, ratifying in writing what he had told us earlier.
August 24, 2003 Update on renovation plans in "Father Harry's Buseness".
During construction time, we will make some adjustments in our activities at the Church.
However, we will always celebrate Mass on
Saturday night and Sunday in the regular space, adjusting the altar area as needed. For weekday Mass, we will close off the west end of
the worship space, creating a temporary chapel in what we call the north social hall.
If we have funerals during this time, we will try to accommodate them through the temporary
chapel mentioned above. If that is not
possible, we will ask to use a neighboring church.
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