Parish churches and school buildings across the diocese have undergone a number of updates and renovations during 2013, said Greg Fleck, director of the diocesan office for Property, Buildings and Cemeteries.
At Blessed Sacrament Parish in Quincy the gathering area on the north side of the church was expanded, allowing parishioners to more comfortably gather for children's Liturgy of the Word and RCIA sessions, funeral luncheons and other parish events. "It is a wonderful addition, providing us with a versatile and accessible area that everyone in the parish really appreciates," said pastoral associate Ann Gage. "We've only had it open for a short time but we've already been putting it to good use."
St. Luke Parish in Virginia completed and dedicated a new parish hall, Fleck said. Meanwhile St. Anthony Parish in Effingham is just finishing up repairs on the church steeple, exterior masonry and roof. Repairs to the church interior will probably come later, he said.
One of the construction projects took place in Fleck's home parish of Holy Family in Athens. That church, built in 1971, received a new roof, new lighting and interior ceilings and had all the windows repaired. "This is the first work that's been done in the church since it was built," Fleck said.
"I am so proud of the way the people at Holy Family pulled together for this project," said Lisa Reeves, office manager for Holy Family and St. Peter Parish in Petersburg. "They have really come together to make those repairs happen. I think this project really strengthened the faith community." She said that interior church walls are set to be repaired in 2014.
At St. Patrick Church in St. Katherine Drexel Parish, Springfield, repairs included adding two new handicap-accessible restrooms and handicap parking. "We are still waiting for a lift (to assist those with mobility issues) to arrive," said Sister Mary Jean Traeger, OP, pastoral facilitator. "Hopefully, soon."
Visitation Parish in Alexander also installed a wheelchair lift, Fleck said.
Other projects included adding a library in the downstairs area of the Eastern Illinois University Newman Catholic Center in Charleston, and a large HVAC project at Little Flower School and Church, Springfield.
Several other undertakings brought additions and/or updates to restrooms in Ss. Peter and Paul School in Collinsville, St. John Newman School in Maryville, St. Mary School in Brussels, and a number of other updates at a variety of churches and schools.
Just in time for Advent and Christmas, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Decatur replaced a weather-damaged organ as well as the church piano.
Finally, parishioners at St. Mary Parish in Brussels are waiting for completion of the reconstruction of their beloved church that was destroyed in a Christmas Eve fire in 2011. Work began early this year to restore the historic building but has been stalled due to a dispute with the Attorney General's office involving the interpretation of the Illinois Accessibility Code as it pertains to historic buildings. "We hope to be able to come to an agreement and resume the restoration of St. Mary's soon," Fleck said.
It would be difficult to report on every parish or school repair work done in the diocese, Fleck concluded, adding, "Any repair or work costing over $5,000 requires permission from the bishop and goes through our office."