St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church

June 4, 2006

Participation in Renovation Campaign Continues as Construction Begins

More than 60 families and individuals voluntarily stepped forward in May to participate in the renovation and preservation of our church.  Commitments of $2,500, $5,000, $10,000 and $30,000, among other generous gifts received last month, helped boost our campaign pledge total to more than $6.4 million from the first 578 parish households. 

Combined with $1,000,000 from the pre-existing Building Fund, this puts the campaign at $7,472,497, or 99 percent of our “Challenge Goal” of $7,500,000.  A total of $5,144,276 has been received in cash to date (including Building Fund).  Additional commitments will be gratefully accepted throughout the construction phase from all parishioners who wish to participate in the project.

Construction Update                                  

Preparation for construction started the week of May 2nd with erection of a fence around the Church and the delivery of the general contractor’s site office.  Construction started a little ahead of schedule with the removal of the pews commencing within minutes of the final baptism on the afternoon of Sunday, May 7th.  All the pews as well as some of the light fixtures and wood panelling were disassembled and taken away by the Fraternite of Notre Dame for reuse in their new facility that they are building in Marengo.

Asbestos abatement was completed May 22nd.  Foundations have been poured for the new north wall, and the covered walkway on the south side and the connector to the parish Center have been demolished.  Foundations on the south side are in progress and careful removal of the stained glass windows to storage will commence on May 25th.

A new water line to feed the Rectory and the Church is in place and pads have been placed for the new transformers that ComEd will be installing the week of June 12th.  Also in June we can expect to see the removal of the north and south walls, construction of the new exterior walls at the expanded seating areas in the Sanctuary and excavation for the storm water detention system adjacent to S. Clay Street.

Photos of Parish Life Requested for Fall Edition of “Jubilation!” Newsletter

If you have digital images from Easter Sunday, First Communion, May Crowning or other parish activities, please share them for publication in the fall edition of “Jubilation!,” the newsletter that celebrates our Diamond Jubilee and church renovation.  E-mail photos and captions to michele@stisaacjoguescc.org.