Week 24 - It Takes a Community

I'm back from vacation this weekend, with just a quick update on the progress, which includes curb and gutter work, final grade work in preparation for asphalt, more brick on the outside of the Parish Center, interior framing and the start of electrical work.

Being gone this week has really reminded me of the importance of community and teamwork in completing a project. For starters, many of the pictures from this week's photo album were taken by fellow parishioners on my behalf. Meanwhile, the St. Stan's staff graciously fielded additional questions in my absence that would normally have come to me.

This sense of pulling together, of community, envelops the entire project. It includes those who have volunteered parking spaces to help ease the burden on our community. It includes the many families and individuals who have given to the Capital Campaign, or supported one of our various fundraisers.

It also includes those parishioners who own businesses and have expressed a desire to be involved in the project. For them, we have tried to provide a fair opportunity for involvement. For example, early on in the project, we made available a list of general contractors who were bidding the construction, so that parishioner-owned businesses could contact them about providing quotes. Likewise, for the several areas we've tackled outside of the contract (such as furniture, technology, and security systems), parishioner-owned businesses have been included in the bidding whenever possible. Going forward we plan to continue this philosophy as we approach such items as landscaping and sprinkler systems which have yet to be addressed. Certainly, we cannot guarantee a positive outcome for these businesses -- we must, after all, be good stewards of our resources -- but we can try to be inclusive in our efforts.

We can also continue our focus on making the project as transparent as possible for all parishioners, so we encourage questions and follow-up comments, especially when we fall short of these goals. Feedback can be provided either through the Parish Office, through a building committee or parish council member, or via the comment feature on the blog.

After all, this is a community effort, and one that will benefit the entire parish community!

Week 23 - Proving a Theory...

Several weeks ago, I made a comment about a lot getting done while I was out of town, and I offered to sacrifice by taking a few more vacations; you know, just to speed things along.

As it turns out, The Vacation Effect is so strong, I don't have to actually leave to trigger it. Just preparing to go seems to do it.

As shown in the photo album, while we were all recovering from all the fun we had at the Parish Picnic last weekend, a LOT has been done on the campus project.

For starters, the curbs around the edge of the new parking lot are taking shape, which means we're one step closer to having use of the lot again. Along 22nd St, the sidewalk has been re-poured. Elsewhere on the site, underground wiring has started going in, and drain tile is being installed around the dropoff circle in front of the rectory.

One block up, almost the entire north wall of the parish center has received its brick, with only the short westward facing wall yet to go as of this writing. The west face of the building itself was also starting to get its brick. Up top, plywood sheeting is going in to cover the last of the roof trusses, in preparation for shingles.

INSIDE the Parish Center, the interior walls are starting to go up, which bodes well for the start of electrical rough-in soon. More HVAC and plumbing work is also taking place.

And to think, I haven't even LEFT yet!

Week 22 - Reaction vs. Interaction

Scientists will tell you that living things respond to their environment in one of two ways: they can passively react to changes in their surroundings, or they can actively interact and influence the changes themselves.

This week, both the Building and Capital Campaign committees had an opportunity to conduct walk-throughs of the ongoing Parish Center Construction. Both groups were able to examine the progress up close, ask questions about what they saw, and then discuss the why (and how) of some of the construction details. Instead of reacting to the process as an outsider, the committees' members were able to interact with the process, increase their understanding, and even suggest a few ideas that will help the project be even more successful.

While insurance rules prevent us from opening up the construction site to everyone, our Parish Campus Project need not be a reactive experience for our parishioners. Here are some suggestions for making it a more interactive experience.

• Check out our construction photo album and stay up to date on our progress.
  
• Ask questions about the project to better understand the details.
  
• Help with fundraising efforts by supporting our Fall Cash Bash, collectible ornament sale, or the upcoming Winter Raffle. If you can, consider making a three-year pledge to the project.
  
• If your schedule permits, volunteer. Help work a fundraiser. Submit your name for one of the parish committees or commissions.
  
• Attend the Parish Family Picnic on Sunday, September 16th. It's a great way to get to know your fellow parishioners!

In the end, it's about interacting: interacting with your world, with your faith, and with your faith community. It's so much more rewarding than just reacting!

Week 21 - Changing Seasons

It's clear to see the start of fall in Mid-Michigan. Weekday rains (and the construction headaches they cause) are becoming more common, the days are cooler, and even some of the trees are starting to change.

For some, fall is a time to wind down from all the events of the summer. Travel is over, schools are in session, and life returns to a certain routine. For others, fall is a time of increased activities, including sports, sneaking in a last vacation or weekend away, and wrapping up outdoor projects before the weather turns sour.

Our Parish Campus project promises to fall into this latter category.

With the return of students come a few adjustments to the construction plan. The site fencing has been pulled back somewhat, snow fence has been installed to ensure the school exits are available in an emergency, and there's a renewed emphasis on wrapping up the site details before the approaching cold weather. As you can see in our photo album, significant work has been done on what will be the new parking lot for the Parish. Visible progress has also been made on the parish center roof and HVAC systems.

Also this week, Wobig Construction was back on site to replace the parish plaza, which fell victim to a sealant that never really did. Pictures of the new plaza will be available next week.

Fall also means it's time for our annual Parish Picnic, which will be held at Pulaski Hall on September 16th. The Picnic is a great way for our parish family to spend some time together in fellowship, while recognizing all those who support our parish through giving of their time, talents, and treasure. With good food, Polish music, and special activities for the kids, it promises to be a good time.

Even with all the activity at the parish, everything seems to be fall-ing right into place!

Week 20 - On we Labor

Visible signs of progress this week, as the parish hall and garages received their floors, the parish hall wall studs were installed, the roof trusses began going up in earnest, and workers began removing concrete and leveling the new parking lot on 22nd Street. Details are in this week's construction photo album.

Since this weekend is also Labor Day Weekend, it's appropriate to take a few lines to acknowledge the hard work of everyone working on the project, including RC Hendrick Construction and their subcontractors, our architects Wakely & Associates, the St. Stan's Building and Capital Campaign committees, and the staff at St. Stan's who daily tackle the everyday decisions and chores that go into making this type of project possible. We also acknowledge the sacrifices our parishioners have made via their financial support and patience.

As we all take a collective breather this extended weekend, the goal line becomes more and more clear. There's a lot left to do, but it's all going to progress at a phenomenal rate. The next month will hopefully bring us a roof over our heads, the start of interior work on the building and additional parking.

One thing is sure: between the dirt that will be moved, the mortar that will be troweled, and the asphalt that will be laid, it's safe to say nobody on THIS project will be wearing white after Labor Day!