St John the Apostle Building the Body of

St. John the Apostle Building the Body of Christ Building Program Information Session Results Confirmation Spirit Day

Building Program News September 21 Information Meeting Over 100 people participated at the 4 pm session Two data collections tools were used to gather information: Please keep me informed!!! Help Us Understand Name: _____________________ Email address: __________________ What is the most important thing you want the building committee to consider Would you like to be contacted as volunteer opportunities arise? as we move forward? Yes No Would you like to receive building program updates via email? Was there any information you were expecting to hear today that was not Yes No addressed? What is your preference for frequency of communication? Short weekly highlights Who would you recommend for leadership roles to ensure the success of our Monthly summaries of progress building program and the upcoming capital campaign? Quarterly review of progress and future plans Other Given where we are today with the building program, were your questions addressed? If not, what additional information should be provided? Do you have any additional comments regarding the building program?

Building Program News September 21 Information Meeting Building Committee Members were introduced Chairperson Communication Scribe Diane Beauchamp At Large Bill Knauer Fundraising Betty Eisenmann Arts & Liturgy Sue Patania Jim Patania Finance Jim Wynn Jack Fox Jack Hanssen Phil Rusciolelli Barry Nelen Karen Stapleton Hospitality Katie Maceda Bio Summary Sheet is available in the literature racks in vestibule

Building Program News September 21 Information Session A “Keep Us Informed” card was completed by 69 of the individuals/couples who attended: Would you be willing to volunteer as opportunities arise? Would you like to be updated via email concerning the building program? Additional yellow cards are available in the vestibule Complete a card and deposit in the box provided to begin receiving email updates

Given where we are today with the building program were your questions addressed?

What is the most important thing you want the building committee to consider as we move forward? “Communication, Additional fundraisers” “Should be beautiful inside” “Renewable Energy” “Build a holy sanctuary” “An architectural plan firmly rooted in our faith, tradition, air of reverence. . . ” “Room or space for parents with small children – perhaps a large foyer. . . ” “Build a beautiful traditional church for the glory of God and for our future families” “Impart a clear sense of direction and accomplishments to the goal” “Balance building design vs. financial ability” “Don’t settle for less than planned, we will only build one church. . . ” “Art lifts our hearts & minds to God” “Having a functional building” “Future maintenance costs” “Build a Catholic Church in the Catholic tradition” “Mass overflow, meeting places, hearing assistance” All responses can be found in the Information Meeting Summary Report posted on www. stjohnleesburg. com

Building Program News Challenges Plan Dependency What could stand in our way? How are we preparing to meet these challenges? How can you help? Getting 50% of the estimated cost in hand to break ground Initiate a 20 week fundraising campaign Commitment and generosity of our parishioners Obtaining construction permits, site plans, and special exemptions Understanding and following the town's process Open communication with the town Unforeseen construction problems Prepare contingency plans Prayer We have a workable plan, a dedicated building committee and many parishioners ready to volunteer to get our church built!

Building Program News September 21 Information Meeting Posted Information Speakers Comments Summary Report of all written comments Questions & Answers Committee Members Biography Check out: www. stjohnleesburg. com Hard copies of this package can also be picked up in the parish office during business hours.

Spirit Day Preparation for Confirmation picture

2008 Confirmation Class Spirit Day 80 students participated in the 10: 00 am Mass Each student was given a cross Father reinforced theme for the day: "Take up your cross“ as he asked the students to lift up their crosses, “Lift them up high!” We then traveled to Emmitsburg, MD

Why Emmitsburg? The day was a pilgrimage to help us connect to our Catholic heritage n We learned about Catholicism’s roots in the United States right at the time of the birth of our nation n We saw the hardships that were endured to establish Catholicism in our land National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes The National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton

National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes “We are half in the sky” n n n This memorial campanile dedicated to the glory of God and His Blessed Mother stands at the entrance to the National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes and marks the site of Saint Mary's Church which was built in 1805 by Father John Du. Bois. Father Du. Bois was founder of Mount St. Mary's College and Seminary, and served as a tower of strength to Mother Seton in the founding of the Sisters of Charity in the United States The Confirmandi spent 90 minutes exploring the wooded paths leading to the Grotto which are marked by beautiful Stations of the Cross and scenes from the Mysteries of the Rosary We walked paths that the first American born saint walked – Elizabeth Ann Seton

Elizabeth Ann Seton 1774 -1821 n n n Born into a prominent Episcopalian family in New York Converted to Roman Catholicism following the death of her husband – she was a 29 year old widow with 5 young children She founded the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph's, the first new community for religious women to be established in the United States. She also began Saint Joseph's Academy, the first free Catholic School for girls staffed by Sisters in the United States. Her enduring legacy includes: n n six religious communities with more than 5, 000 members, hundreds of schools, social service centers, and hospitals throughout America and around the world. The extraordinary manner in which Elizabeth lived an ordinary life flowed from the centrality of the Word of God and the Eucharist in her life.

Mother Seton in Emmitsburg In 1808 Elizabeth arrived in Emmitsburg with her five children. Elizabeth and her girls moved into the stone house which was built in 1750 along with 12 other women. There she founded the Sisters of Charity on July 31, 1809. In 1810 the “white house” was built to house the nuns and served as the first Catholic School in the United States. By 1821, when Elizabeth died, there were 80 students boarding at the school and 60 sisters. The National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton was built in 1965. The remains of Mother Seton are entombed under the Altar of Relics in the Basilica. Mother Seton was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975. She was the first citizen born in the United States to be Canonized

What did you like about Spirit Day? “Meeting cool people who go to my Church” “Hanging with friends” “Being with my friends”

What did you like about Spirit Day? “walking where a saint did” “the grotto” “I liked being outside and looking at the stone statues. ” “Drinking the holy water and saying a prayer. ” “the scavenger hunt” “seeing the stone that Elizabeth sat on” “walking around the grotto”

What did you like about Spirit Day? “Learning about Elizabeth Ann Seton’s life” “being spiritual” “meditating” “The Basilica – I want to get married there!” “Watching the movie” “the big Church” “visiting the Basilica” “the relic” "Wow! If we had a church like this I'd go every day!" “the Basilica” “I liked visiting Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Shrine. ”

What did you like about Spirit Day? “the bus ride” bla k bac d r an e b The “ u e ov d s ri o t, to s as a w “the bus ride”

Confirmation – What’s Next n n Bishop Loverde will confirm our students on December 6 th in the Parish Center during two Saturday Masses In preparation the students are: n n n Performing service and keeping a service journal Prayerfully selecting a confirmation name Working with their chosen confirmation sponsor to explore their faith more deeply Participating in an overnight retreat at Mar-Lu Ridge Retreat center Preparing a personal letter to Bishop Loverde expressing their desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, completing their full initiation into the Catholic Faith. Please pray for our candidates as they complete their preparation.