August 8, 2006

DIAMONDS in a NEW SETTING

Definition…
Seculum...(saeculum)...defined in Latin dictionaries as meaning a generation, an age, the world, the times, the spirit of the times, and a period of a hundred years. That which is secular pertains to the present world, especially to the world as not spiritual.

# 3 Meeting Date: 08 / 08 / ’06 @ 7:00 p.m. in the parish hall. Father Hemann opened the meeting at 7:10 with an Ascent Psalm. Those present were John Blanco- Jean Burns - David Forbes - Mike Hittle - John Kallin - DarleneAnn Lansink - Dixie Lansink - Ken Newquist - J. D. Parks - Diane Patera - Leneé Sinnott - Mike Stover.

Leneé Sinnott read the minutes of the previous week’s meeting. Father noted that the meeting notes were on his web-site. www.fatherdavid.net It was noted that the floors at Sioux City’s Blessed Sacrament Church were also done by the Boatman Co., as referred to at the meeting the week earlier. Also from that meeting, it was brought up about having the high altar thoroughly checked out for its viability of use in our new church; Father informed the group that parishioner, LeRoy Davison, was trained and fully-qualified to handle this task; he had received his instructions from New Jersey’s Princeton University where he had been employed prior to coming to Ida Grove the summer of 1976. It was again mentioned behind this high altar, which would hopefully be used in the new church, that a “day chapel” would be created.

Architect Brad Mollett joined the meeting at 7:20. He started his questioning with what was desired as far as a spire, a tower, a bell...what was wanted for the new church? For a standard Romanesque Church, it should be a bell. Our current church has a bell and it was unanimous that the bell we have be kept. It may not take on the “duties” of a bell, but should be incorporated into the design, even if it were to be in the courtyard area. How St. Martin’s at Odebolt handled theirs was given as an example. Some believed having stairs leading to the bell, depending on its position, would enhance its image. The timer for the current bell is in the sacristy. The base is believed to be four feet with the thickness of the walls between 2 ½” – 3”. Several could recall when the bell would ring at the Angelus times as well as for Mass. In regard to a new bell, members present were asked if they would prefer the bell to actually be rung or should there be an electronic clapper...the consensus was to have it “actually rung”. Considering the bell tower...Father had pictures of what he preferred, those being from St. Peter’s Abbey in Assisi, Italy and from San Anselmo Church in Rome, Italy. Someone brought a computer-generated church which met with much approval, including the “top”. Father’s main objection was that it showed two crosses and, to keep it more traditional, only one cross should be used.

Roof designs...including the windows, arches, cupola, etc.: a tile roof was one consideration, but it was brought up that tile roofs in Iowa have a tendency to leak, but others would purport leakage to be no problem. This needs to be discussed further
When the topic turned to the Gathering Space, attention was quickly diverted to the Lobby which the architect strongly urged all to accept. He said it would be the buffer zone ahead of the Gathering Space. The Lobby would consist of the majority of the rest rooms, the coat room, bulletin boards, hand-out areas, displays, miscellaneous and etceteras. This area would easily have five or six entryways.

Who should have an office, for what purpose and where? The pastor would have his office / study in the new building as it should be, but would maintain his rectory one as he sees fit. The Deacon (at present, deacon-to-be) would have an office as would the Parish Secretary; his / hers would likely double as the ‘collection-counting-room’ where a secured place would be installed for the safe-keeping of the monies. These would be somewhere off of the Gathering Space. One must consider a Library and into which room it would be consolidated, such as the Conference Room. That, too, might double as the Retreat Room. Rooms could have double and triple uses...the bridal-dressing room could be used for more than just weddings ...maybe it could be the mourner’s room since the parish wouldn’t have a wedding and a funeral at the same time. Then there is very likely to be the Hearth Room... this would not only have a hearth but would have comfy furniture lending itself to possibly an area for mourners with seating for 20+ people. The windows should have drapes for folks to use at their discretion. One of these rooms could be used for Youth Group meetings. There are many “back and forth” possibilities of uses for various rooms without creating a room for every occasion. It will be the architect’s task to create these in a resourceful manner.

Sacristies...would need two...a vessel sacristy and a vesting sacristy, this one large enough for altar servers and the like. The vesting one would appropriately be placed toward the back of the church and would likely have a rest room, while the vessel one, where the sacristan performs his / her duties, should be located nearer the sanctuary on the right. Though he didn’t particularly care for the placement of the tabernacle off to the back, Father gave high marks to the big sacristy at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Omaha.

Musical area would be to the left...we’d keep our clavinova (it belongs to the parish), is quite new and it is ours...we own it, as per a gift from an estate) and it, along with other necessary musical instruments, would be in this area. There’d be a practice room nearby with storage space provided. As for the electronic organ which we would likely have, it was decided to save space to someday acquire a pipe organ.

Storage areas in general...these would be incorporated with other essential rooms and spaces so that we do not have room after room after room, all of which would drive up the cost of construction. Items would be stored as to their intended use. Many items are seasonal; a perfect example is the crèche and Nativity figures. Also various banners, floral items, etc. Outside storage is not needed with the exception of housing for the mower trailer, a problem the parish itself could solve.

Mechanical and Electrical Rooms...it was stated that there would be a need for more than one of each; these should be in the main area with additional ones in side areas.

Father brought a picture of the Baptismal font from the Milwaukee Cathedral...the one mentioned last week as being casket-sized. This area which is definitely going to be in the narthex of the church would serve as the main Holy Water fountain, but there would be smaller ones near side entrances. He also showed a ceiling with an intricate wood design at New Melleray which he finds very beautiful.

At the front of the church, all agreed that the crucifix would be a hanging one.

Reconciliation Rooms...they would be constructed in such a way as to provide both a anonymous confession along with the capability of a face to face confession. It was said that Immaculate Conception at Moville had such and that similar ones were built at St. Martin’s in Odebolt.

Should there be a basement? There may be a need for a small one under the parish hall section for certain equipment pieces. Having working tunnels around the perimeter was discussed but was generally dismissed. As for having a site to use for a tornado shelter, it was suggested that some of the rooms could be reinforced to serve that purpose. And provided there is enough free-standing space, those able to get to the basement of the rectory, might do so. (As per St. Patrick’s parish in Iowa City when the tornado struck during their Holy Thursday services this past spring.)

Woodwork...all should match, such as the ambo, cantor’s stand, candlesticks, etc. And on this note, there must be added from last week’s session that Father made a special notation that he would like to see certain ornate areas used in the new church, specifically mentioning that which adorns the choir loft.

Nursery / cry room area...this area would also have a rest room. It was estimated that it should possibly have space for some sixteen people and that once the child reached two years of age, he / she would be intergraded into the main nave.

The Parish Hall / Kitchen haven’t really been touched upon in the discussions with the exception that in the kitchen area, a unisex rest room would be allowed. The Gathering Space needs have not yet been examined at length.

During the course of the evening, Mr. Mollett shared his slides from pictures taken in Boise, Idaho, at the Holy Apostles Church. He was impressed with many of the features. What did bring about dismay was the dome because it was a maintenance nightmare since cobwebs were evident presenting a riddance problem.

Mr. Mollett issued ADJACENCY MATRIX papers to all present to fill out as their homework assignment prior to the 16th of August meeting which he plans to attend... earlier this was noted as a meeting at which he would not be present. These papers could definitely present a challenge; the end results will be most interesting.

Father closed the evening with prayer at 9:20.