You are invited to learn about an exciting project underway at Holy Spirit Church to Finish the Floor. After many years of focus to pay down the debt, Holy Spirit is finally in a position to move forward with the next phase to finish our church based on the design work completed in 2014. The parish has waited a long time to start the work that will greatly enhance the worship space and make it more inviting and reverent. Thank you to those who have and continue to contribute to the parish financial stability which enables this project to move forward.

The scope of the project is to cover the concrete floor of the current worship space with a flooring material. The tabernacle will also be moved into the worship space. All wiring will be embedded below the floor.

The plans will create a more sacred area for the sanctuary distinct from the assembly through material usage and maintain a flat floor accessible to all. These plans also include adjusting the seating around the centralized sanctuary to an east-west orientation following the original architectural plans and church doctrine which will bring the congregation physically closer to the celebration of the Eucharist and other sacraments.

Starting May 14/15, you will see the new orientation as the final floor plan is defined. You may be surprised to see that our church is actually a rectangle, not a square.

The drawing below is just an example. Materials and colors have not yet been chosen.
 

1. Where did the plans come from? The original architects in the early 1990’s drew the church with an east-west orientation around a central sanctuary. The design reflects the spirit of the theological and liturgical principles of the Second Vatican Council to maximize the active participation of all. It expresses the unity of the people, The Body of Christ. These plans were updated by a second firm in 2007/2008 and again in 2012 and 2014 with consultation of architects and liturgical artists. Over the years these plans were approved by the Diocese and the College of Consultors. The previous work and investment in professionals is being leveraged. Current parish size, project budget, and anticipated growth have been taken into account.

2. Why now? The building is almost thirty years old and the original loans are nearly paid off putting the parish in a financially stable position.  Thanks to all who have been contributing to the building fund, whether a long time contributor or recently started.  It is your sacrificial giving that has put us in a financial position to move forward with another building phase.

3. What stopped this project in the past? The amount of debt Holy Spirit Parish carried on the original church, school buildings and office expansion (over $3M at one point) with a much smaller congregation. In addition, diocesan focus on other fundraising projects and the lawsuit also played a part.

4. Why move the orientation? The east-west orientation was the intent from the start and follows traditional church doctrine. During the celebration of the morning liturgy the priest and congregation face towards the rising sun, a symbol of Christ and the Second Coming. It puts every seat within eight rows of the altar and improves site lines. The congregation becomes one unified body in celebration of the Eucharist and other sacraments.

5. Why do we have a north-south orientation now? Originally we didn’t have the office space or the school gym. So walls were placed between the pillars to create an office space on the west side and storage/chapel on the east side of the church. The center was used as a gym during the week. After the office space was built, the walls were removed to make space for a growing congregation.  But there wasn’t a need to change the orientation until now. 

6. What is the final layout? As part of this project, all of the wiring will be below the floor which requires final placement of key items. May 15 will kick off the work of determining the placement of ambo, choir and video streaming station. Feedback will be invited during this process.

7. How will this be paid for? Through the generosity of parishioners. The entire parish will be invited to participate with a kickoff at a later date.

8. What about the Building Fund? Thanks to the generosity of the parishioners who have been faithfully contributing to the Building Fund, the $3 million debt the parish has carried for the past 30 years is nearly paid off. In addition, the Building Fund has covered the recent upgrade in the lights, and replacement of aging parts of the heating/cooling system. The hope is that the contributions to the Building Fund remain stable or grow and will cover other large projects coming up such as parking lot repairs, siding and the flat part of the roof. In order to move forward with the floor at this time, this project must be separate from the Building Fund.

9. What will be the materials and colors? Two or three different materials/colors will be used to distinguish the sanctuary from the assembly to make the sanctuary a more reverent space. Sound quality is also being considered.

10. What is the overall cost? Based on preliminary bids, the total project is estimated to be $160,000. The final budget will depend on details of the project that are still being worked out such as any necessary work on the current floor, work to bury electrical/audio cables and the exact materials chosen.

11. What is the timeline? The goal is to install a new floor in the first half of 2023.

12. What about finishing the rest of the interior space of the church? This project is limited to finishing the floor and moving the tabernacle. 

13. Who is on the committee for the floor? The Floor Committee is composed of volunteers from the parish and staff. The Floor Committee launched in October 2021 to study the possibility and feasibility of this project. There are four subcommittees: Communications, Physical Lay Out/Pilot, Design/Materials, and Budget/Fundraising. Members of the Floor Committee are Chris Adamson, Cheri Block, Brad Brech, Joyce Campion, Joe DiCecco, Kristen Donovan, Lynn Farrell, Julie Hansen, Greg Kapraun, Steve Kunkel, Fr. Tom Loomis, Gary Moore, and Cheri Rowekamp. Please feel free to reach out to anyone on the floor committee with questions at any time. Lynn Farrell, Chair, can be reached by email at  (lynnfarrell3@gmail.com) or at 507-398-7437 (cell) and can help direct your questions to the proper sub-committee chair.

14. How can I help? You can help in many ways! Ephphatha, the word said over a child at Baptism, means be open. You are invited to be open to the spirit of change as this project moves forward to create the liturgical space that was envisioned from the beginning of the parish. Pray for our parish and Diocese as we move through the many steps of this process. Most of all, pray for the future of Holy Spirit Parish as we move forward in the mission of the Catholic Church, “to go out and make disciples of all nations.” As the project moves forward, you will hear more about the Finish the Floor Fund.