More questions than answers at St. James meeting

The controversy surrounding the construction plans of a new church building continued last week when a “St. James informational meeting” regarding the rezoning and building of the church and was held at the Boone County Community Building Complex.

Parishioners and other interested parties began filling the stands early in the artfully refurbished auditorium/gymnasium on West 1^st Street. Ten panelists sat at long tables facing the stands, their first names printed in bold caps on colorful place cards in front of each person. It lent a friendly touch to a highly charged atmosphere in the huge room. …..

Much was speculated upon; some issues were explained, and some were left up in the air. Most were in agreement that another meeting should be scheduled, hopefully with Father Geary present to address the many unanswered questions.

Click on the following to read the complete Belvidere Daily Republican story:  http://www.belvideredailyrepublican.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6912:more-questions-than-answers-at-st-james-meeting&catid=106:belvidere&Itemid=508

Viewership for the month of August

Readers viewed  1313 pages in the month of August 2011 since the blog’s establishment in June over 2108 pages were viewed.

 

Click on the following photocopy to enlarge:

 

St. James Capital Campaign demands “allegiance”

The following letter was sent home Friday with children from the St. James pre-school (3 year old and older).

 

Mr. Rod Snyder and Mrs. Cathy Vendemia are co-chairpersons of the Campaign Leadership Committee.  Father Geary is on vacation the weeks of August 22 thru September 5, 2011.

The NEW St James: The first “classic” style church in 50 years

Several times I have made the statement that the eleven county Diocese of Rockford has not built a church in either the Romanesque or Gothic style since St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rockford, dedicated in 1960.  These massive structures are relics of another era to be loved and appreciated but because of costs of construction and operation costs not be built again.  Here is the result of my wife’s hours of research using the book, The Diocese of Rockford 1908-2008:  Our History.

 

Church                                                    City                     Date                     Families                  Style

St. Patrick                                               Albany                1967                        50                        modern

St. Margaret Mary                                Algonquin          1983                      750 seats              modern

St. Patrick                                               Amboy               1886                      370                         classic

St. Joseph                                               Apple River       1923                        75                         classic

Annunciation of Blessed V.Mary       Aurora               1875                       800                        classic          

Holy Angels                                            Aurora               1952                    2500                         modern

Sacred Heart                                         Aurora               burnt in 1998       500                uses school

St. George Byzantine                           Aurora               1967,                                                    top contemporary

St. Joseph                                              Aurora                1955                     800                         modern

St. Mary                                                 Aurora                1872                     400                         classic

St. Michael   Byzantine                       Aurora                1917                                                     classic

St. Nicholas                                          Aurora                 1887                    2000                       classic

St. Peter                                                Aurora                 1965                      400                       modern

St. Rita of Casia                                   Aurora                 1996,           remodel1600               modern

St. Therese of Jesus                            Aurora                 1966                     600                       modern      

Holy Cross                                            Batavia                1994                   1200                       modern

St. James                                              Belvidere              1886                  2200                       classic

St. Mary                                                Byron                    1975                    600                       modern

St. Monica                                           Carpentersville    1969       2200/1000 seats             modern

St. Peter and Paul                               Cary                       1970             3200                            modern

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton                     Crystal Lake         1981            2900                            modern

St. Thomas                                          Crystal Lake          1968          3400/800seats            modern

Christ the Teacher                              DeKalb                   1965                   /550                     modern

St. Mary                                               DeKalb                   1901           1400                             classic

St. Anne                                               Dixon                     1929           600                                classic

St. Patrick                                            Dixon                     1872           900                                classic

St. Catherine of Siena                        Dundee                  1983           2100/700seats         modern

St. Mary                                              Durand                   1862            500                              classic

St. Mary                                              E. Dubuque            1882            650                             classic

St. Gall                                                Elburn                     1925           800                             classic

in process of building a new church new church

St. Joseph                                           Elgin                        1902        2500                               classic

St.Laurence                                        Elgin                        1929      1200                                 classic

St. Mary                                             Elgin                         1899      1300                                 classic

St. Thomas More                              Elgin                         1979     2500/700 seats              modern

St. Mary                                            Elizabeth                   1913       200                                 classic

St. Ambrose                                      Erie                            1936       100                                 Classic

St.Joseph                                          Freeport                     1872        400                               classic

St.Mary                                             Freeport                    1890         300                               classic

St. Thomas Aquinas                       Freeport                    1974        1000                              modern

Immaculate Conception               Fulton                        1907         150                                modern

St.Mary                                            Galena                       1862          400                               classic

St. Michael                                      Galena                       1863          400                               classic

St. Peter                                           Geneva                      1993         3000                             modern

St. Catherine of Genoa                 Genoa                        1969          550                              modern

St. Mary Mission                             Gilberts                    1855           90                                classic

St. Charles Borromeo                     Hampshire              1908         850                                classic

St. John the Evangelist                   Hanover                  1929        125                  modern/classic?

St. Flannen                                        Harmon                  1914        35                                    classic

St.Patrick                                           Hartland                 1942        200                                 classic

St. Joseph                                          Harvard                   1891         600                                classic

St. Mary                                             Huntley                   2001          4000/1200seats                 modern

St. Patrick Mission                           Irish Grove      1894-1899     500 with Durand        classic

St. John the Baptist                         Johnsburg              1900          1300                             classic

St. James                                            Lee                          1878           200                               classic

St. Joseph                                           Lena                       1938           200                               classic

St. Bridger of Erin                             Loves Park            1988           2100/1000 seats       modern

Church of Holy Apostles                  McHenry              1993           2400                             modern

St.Mary                                               McHenry              1898             800                              classic

St. Patrick Mission                            McHenry              1923           1200                             classic

St.Mary Of the Assumption            Maple Park          1914             250                              classic

Sacred Heart                                      Marengo              1907              800                             classic

St. Patrick                                           Maytown             1919               50                               classic

Nativity of the Blessed V. Mary     Menominee         1887            200                               classic

St. Mary                                              Morrison               2003            175              modern,old auction center

SS. John and Catherine                     Mount Carrol       1983             125    modern, former Mount Carrol Church of God

Blessed Sacrament                            NorthAurora        1984             600                modern

St.Mary                                              Oregon                  1891            400                            classic

St.Mary                                              Pecatonica            1922            200                            classic

St. Mary                                             Polo                       1899            200                            classic

St. Catherine                                     Prophestown                             100                       modern?

St. Joseph                                          Richmond              1949             400                          classic

St.Patrick                                           Rochelle                 1972            1200                         modern

St.Andrew                                         Rock Falls               1975              600-800                  modern

Holy Family                                       Rockford                1975              3000                        modern

St.Anthony of Padua                        Rockford                1930             1100                         classic

St. Bernadette                                  Rockford                1961               900                         modern

St.Edward                                         Rockford                1969              1300                        modern

St. James                                           Rockford                1867               900                         classic

St. Mary Oratory                               Rockford                1887      420 people                     classic

St. Patrick                                          Rockford                1952            400                            classic

Cathedral of St. Peter                       Rockford                1960            1200                          classic

St.Rita                                                Rockford                 1983            1500                         modern

St.Stanislaus Kostka                          Rockford                1961              350             modern classic? 

SS.Peter and Paul                              Rockford                1929              500                            classic

Church of the Holy Spirit                  Roscoe                   1980               100  wooden former church

St. John Neumann                             St.Charles              2002       3200/1500seats              modern

St. Patrick                                           St. Charles             1991          4500/1200 seats          modern

St.Paul the Apostle                            Sandwich              1911            500   purchased Sandwich Presbyterian Church

St.John the Baptist                            Savanna                 1899            250                            classic

Holy Trinity                                        Scales Mound        1864            125                            classic

St. Wendelin                                      Shannon                1906            200                            classic

St. John the Baptist                           Somonauk             1884            500                            classic

St. Peter                                              South Beloit          1925          1000                            classic

St. Peter                                              Spring Grove         1901             900                           classic

Sacred Heart                                       Sterling                  1971             600                           modern

St. Mary                                               Sterling                 1898           1200                           classic

Holy Cross                                           Stockton                1979           250                             modern

Our Lady of Perpetual Help                Sublette                1905           175                             classic

St.Mary                                                Sycamore              1902          1200                            classic

St. Mary                                               Tampico                1904           100                             classic

SS. Peter and Paul                               Virgil                      1909           200                            classic

St.Mary                                                Walton                  1913             60                            classic

St.Ann                                                 Warren                   1924           100                           classic

St. Mary                                              West Brooklyn       1902           100                           classic

Christ the King                                   Wonder Lake          1958            500                         modern

Resurrection                                       Woodstock              1995           200                          modern

St.Mary                                               Woodstock              1909        2000                            classic

Reposting: Will Fr. Geary be able to comply with the requests from the Diocese and build his church?

 

The posting below occurred on July 3, because of some memory issues at the blog server it may not be available on the index or or by seeking older posting.  For your convenience I am reposting it.  Is this still operable or is there another agreement with the diocese?

 

The pastor is currently embroiled in a fight for rezoning and special use for the 5 story church to be built on the old convent site.

The financial side of the equation is also great. This October 8, 2010 letter from the Rockford Diocese indicates what was required at that point. To summaries:

1. The project will not exceed $5.5 MILLION INCLUDING DEMOLITION AND PARKING LOT CONSTRUCTION.

2. Project will not begin until $1 million is cash is collected and deposited in DIAL (Diocesan Investment and Loan Office).

3. Capital Campaign has $3 million in pledges.

4. Cash flow analysis of capital project outlays including all projected outlays and sources of revenue including amortization of any debt.

Note the letter mentions demolition. Was the old church slated for demolition back in October? Was the plan in October to be on the old parish site rather than the 22 acre site? Have any of these conditions changed? Is this project over the $5.5 million maximum number? How much does the parish have in DIAL for the project? Do any of us know?

 

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

The New St. James Church: Many Questions; Few Answers—8-29-2011

Since January 2011 parishioners have been ask to support the campaign for a new church. However since then there have been many changes some of which only a few parishioners are aware. Just to clear things up --here is what you should be aware.

• The capacity of the new Church is now 850
• It is being planned to be located at the old convent/parking lot on Church Street and Caswell Streets. The main entrance doors will be on Caswell. [NOT on the 22 acres West of Belvidere on Town Hall Road]
• The new church will have steps at the front and at all side entrances. The church will be handicapped accessible only for the front. The handicapped ramp will be much less steep than the current ramp however it will be approximately twice as long. And it will require the walker to enter on the school side Church Street side of the church. See drawings at: http://boonecountycatholics.blogspot.com/2011/07/new-st-james-church-will-be-very-bigyou.html
• A number of neighbors have signed formal protest requests regarding the parish’s zoning request. None of the adjacent neighbors have agreed to sell their property to the parish. Only the property owners on the side of the school parking lot hae signed sales contract. See: http://boonecountycatholics.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-much-does-bird-housecost.html
• Type of roof on the new church: Despite what the application for zoning stated and what Father Geary stated earlier, the roof apparently now is standard shingles—not a metal roof. (Metal roofs have a much longer life) Mr. Linkenheld at 8-23-2011 meeting stated that standard shingles were always planned for the roof.
• The old church will be torn down to make a parking lot. The new church will be five stories tall. There will be four inches (basically zero) set back on the Church Street side of the building. The new church is now seven feet shorter (63 feet at peak relative to ground). The baptistery is now on the parish center side approximately 12.5 feet from parish center.
• The Parish will pay all city expenses for rebuilding the 300 block of Church Street to make diagonal parking alone the new church building. for widening Church Street to accommodate fire trucks. Parking will be in the same parallel style but may have handicapped parking on the church side of street.
• The parish will now have 170 on parish premises parking spots. The rectory will be torn down and converted to parking. The parish will be buying two parcels adjacent to the school playground/parking lot to accomplish this goal--548 Caswell Street and 402 Laurel Court..
• When will Father Geary or Bishop Doran communicate with St. James Parishioners? First communication in bulletin on 8-7-2011; To see this, click on following: http://boonecountycatholics.blogspot.com/2011/08/insert-to-parish-bulletin-8-7-2011.htmlFew of the changes (such as those listed above) have been published in the weekly bulletin or any other written source. Father Geary has orally stated many things which “the Bishop will not approve or Diocese demands” but such things have not been written nor has the pastor, the parish finance committee or the parish council disseminated the information in written form to the parish. Other than continuing to solicit funds, parish administration has little desire to communicate with the parish members concerning changes to the new church.

  Is the Church still going to have a basement? NO, IT WILL NOT See 8-7-2011 Insert; click on following: http://boonecountycatholics.blogspot.com/2011/08/insert-to-parish-bulletin-8-7-2011.html

  Many heard that the project was running over the $5.5 limit [maybe this is $6,000,000, see insert] and no basement was being planned even though at public meetings an unfinished basement was stated. If there is no basement St. James Parish will have even less storage. The school and organizations are already complaining about storage. Where will the old stain glass and other sacred items be stored?

  QUESTIONS that remain unanswered:
  How much money does the campaign have in the Parish DIAL account?There have been many expenses for the campaign management firm, architect, surveying and legal. The campaign needs $1,000,000 in the DIAL account. How close are we to that requirement?
• What happens if the pledge goal of $3,000,000 is not reached?Will any funds be returned to the donors?
• Will the expenses for the campaign and pre-construction be shown in the parish’s June 30, 2011 annual statements to the parishioners?If not, what type of public accounting will parishioners receive and when?
• Will St. James be a good steward of the Earth in the building of the new church?Will modern ecological/energy-savings devises and systems be employed to lessen heating, cooling and lighting bills? Can a church with 50 feet ceilings ever be consider energy efficient? Will the demolition, constructions and operations be earth friendly?
• What is the projected cost of the total project now?Rumor says the church building will cost $6.4million and if there is a basement $7.5 million. And now there is talk that the parish will be buying the houses of the landowners who have signed formal protests. Could that be another $1,000,000?

  I have been told by Father Geary that he will answer questions when he deems the parish should be told.

Request not to rush the St. James church project

The following Letter to the Editor appear in Sunday’s Rockford Register Star.

St. James’ Proposed 170 PARKING Spaces with required ADA spots

 

Below is the proposed 170 on-site parking spaces with ADA (Americans with Disability Act) required disabled parking.  Note purchase of two properties and tearing down of the rectory will be required to obtain these spaces.  For more details see: http://boonecountycatholics.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-much-does-bird-housecost.html

 

Click on the photocopy to enlarge: 

 

“Unity T-shirts”

The following insert was placed in this weekend’s (8-27/28-2011) bulletin at St. James, Belvidere.

Boone County Journal coverage of Revised St. James zoning request

Belvidere City Council received the revised plan at the Monday evening meeting.

 

 

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

 

 

Concerned parishioners and neighbors presented a public forum/discussion regarding the revised plan at the Community Building on Tuesday.

 

 

Letter to Editor—Vote “Yes”

Mrs. Ocon—you supplied numbers to the pro’s and con’s—yet there never was a vote.  You are only guessing at the numbers.  Yes, we have nearly 2,000 parishioners however less than 600 have contributed and some of the 600 may be individuals who refused to pledge or discontinued their pledge. Therefore are there 1,400 NO’s?  Yes, I am also only guessing.

The church administration refuses to update us concerning this project.  For instance—what is the current projected cost? 

 

 

 

I am a parishioner of St. James Church here in Belvidere.

We have about 2000 parishioners and of that amount there are about 50 people who oppose our wish for a larger church.

We want a larger church on our campus at Church St. and Caswell. As it is now, we can’t all come together to worship our Lord.

On holy days if you’re not there at least a half hour before Mass, then you don’t have a seat inside; only outside. For example on the fest of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we had to go to the building on Logan, which is the county building.

If the church is moved to Town Hall, it will cost more and then we have two churches to maintain! Do we support two churches?

Do the school kids get bussed to Town Hall Church each Friday for Mass? Do we have to divide First Communion and Confirmation also?

We need to be together as one, not separated!

We need our new church!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Carmen Galvan Ocon

Poplar Grove