"Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which He must look out with compassion on the world. Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which He is to bless all others now." St. Teresa
St. Isidore Catholic Church is committed to building a new and expanded church. Our new spiritual home will provide an ideal gathering place to celebrate, reflect and worship.
Q: Is there really a need to expand our present church?
A: Present church is 120 years old and has:
- inadequate and expensive heating system
- no washrooms and no space to accommodate children who need comforting
- insufficient space for Christmas and Easter liturgies, weddings, large funerals,
- lack of space, therefore five masses required every weekend
- difficulty getting visiting priests due to shortage of priests
- realized growth and projected growth of Kanata - Reference West End Expansion Study
Q. What steps have been taken to study the need for an expanded church?
A: Expansion Task Force studied need for expanded church. Work to-date includes:
- effort to save existing church
- hiring of Architect Ralph Vandenberg to prepare drawings of expanded church designed to save much of existing church
- retaining Ketchum Canada Inc., to study parishioners perception of expanded church including cost estimated at $7.1 million
- disclosing results of parishioner survey that new church was needed, plans were attractive but cost of $7.1 million was not affordable
- responding to parishioners to find expanded worship space that was more affordable
- requesting new architectural plans be prepared and phased-in over a number of years - first phase at $4.1 million, total cost approx. $8-9 million - still considered unacceptable
- report at AGM 09/18/07: Question asked about cost of removing existing church and building a new church
- architectural plans prepared for new church to seat 630 people + additional 40 in chapel (existing church seats 275)
- cost to build new church estimated at $3.5 million (in 2007 dollars)
- report 12/02/07 at special GM - that 89% voted to proceed with plan to remove old church and build new
Q: What can be saved from the existing church?
A: Every effort will be made to preserve a continuous and visible link between 120 year-old church and new church.
- all stained glass windows; stone from the front of the church; the steeple and church bell to be preserved and reused
Q: Can we afford the operating costs of a new and enlarged worship space?
A: Exact figures not yet available, however, it is expected that with new construction techniques, possible use of energy efficient materials, and natural gas heating, the costs to operate will be comparable to those of the existing church.
Q: Can we expect to receive money from the Archdiocese?
A: All monies must be raised locally. We have the ability to borrow money from the Archdiocese.
- repayment of borrowed money will greatly impact our operating costs
- cost of $1 million loan at 5% interest would be approximately $6,000.00 per month for 25 years. ETF, wants to keep financing costs as low as possible
Q: How soon will the old church come down? Where will we attend mass until construction is complete?
A: The Archdiocese says that we must have 1/2 of the money in cash before we start construction. Progress reports will be posted as we approach our goal. Meanwhile, it is hoped that Mass can continue in the church until work begins. At that time, Mass will be held elsewhere - probably ASHS until our new church is complete.
Q: How can I contribute?
A: ETF would like to raise as much money as possible in 2008; a campaign of this magnitude will necessitate fund raising spread over a number of years:
- you may wish to contribute in 2008 and pledge an amount over the next 3-5 years
- cheques, stocks; life insurance or special bequests in your will would also be methods to donate
- all contributions are recognized by Revenue Canada as charitable contributions and an income tax receipt will be provided by St, Isidore Church in a timely fashion
- no cash donation can be accepted by volunteers
Q: Can I make my contribution in memory of a loved one?
A: Yes. At the conclusion of the Campaign, a Book of Contributors will be completed in which:
- space will be provided for each contributor to indicate their personal reason for making the contribution
- no dollar amounts will be disclosed
- contributions can be listed in memory of a deceased loved one; in gratitude for a special event in your life; to commemorate a baptism; or for some other reason special to you
Q: What about confidentiality?
A: All persons connected with this Campaign have signed a confidentiality agreement to ensure that all contributions, discussions and parishioner contact lists are kept strictly confidential.
Q: What are the costs to operate this fundraising Campaign?
A: We are attempting to run this Campaign entirely with parishioner volunteers. ¢ Effort will be made to insure that all monies raised for the building of a new church stay in St. Isidore Parish. There will be some soft costs to run the Campaign including, printing, canvasser/donor kit supplies and training etc.
Q: How will parishioners be kept informed of fundraising activities?
A: A chart will be kept in the church illustrating money raised in 2008 and amount pledged in succeeding years:
- the parish bulletin will carry regular updates and notice of upcoming events
- church website will be updated frequently http://stisidorekanata.com/
- you are invited to enquire at parish office or to ask a member of the fundraising team for an update
- monies received will be under the care and control of the Parish Finance Council
Q: What happens if not enough money is raised to build a new church?
A: It could take longer than hoped, but all money collected will go toward building a new church - eventually.
Financial overview
| Current parish debt.................................... Nil (as of Jan. 1, 2008) |
| Projected cost of new church.................... $3.5 million (in 2007 dollars) |
| Expansion funds collected to date .......... $330,915. (as of Dec.31, 2007) |
| Campaign objective................................... $3.2 million |
Historical information
Our present church is not the first church located on the March Road site. The Parish Centennial Directory reveals that a log chapel was built in 1836, blessed in 1840, enlarged in 1850, and replaced by our current church in 1887.
St. Paul pointed out to an early Christian community that in every church there must be only one foundation - Jesus Christ. From the original log chapel of 1836, to our existing building, to the construction of a new church, we have the unchanged duty to build on the same foundation that our ancestors built on - the one foundation - the foundation of Jesus Christ.
Do you have a question that we have not answered? Jot it down and send it to us, call or email us. We're here to help! marg.des@sympatico.ca
The Catholic Community of St.Isidore
Expansion Task Force & Fundraising Committee
1135 March Rd.,
Kanata, ON K2K 1X7
613-592-1961
office@stisidorekanata.com