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NEW NAZARETH HOUSE?
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All registered parishioners should have received a letter about the potential building of a new Nazareth House in mid-December. I am grateful to those who have generously responded with their thoughts, prayers, contributions, and pledges. I'm sure that for many people it got lost in the whirlwind of Christmas preparations. So, I'd like to bring this issue back to your attention as decisions have to be made. I really need to know what you think!
If you don't know it, the Nazareth House is that small cottage across the parking lot behind the church. Its present condition is rather dilapidated. That doesn't stop it from getting a lot of use. For example, it is currently housing six seminarians for their J-term despite having only one bedroom and one bathroom! As you can see from the photo above, the young adults still meet there even though they have outgrown it. I can foresee plenty of additional uses happening in a better facility.
Frankly, the Nazareth House is old and at the point of needing substantial upgrades to remain usable. Both its age and floor plan argue against remodeling it. It simply isn’t worth sinking a large investment into a facility that can’t actually handle our present needs or foreseeable future needs. If you haven't been inside, please contact the parish office and someone would be happy to show you around.
I am not the sort of person who believes that we should immediately follow one capital campaign with another. The regular sacrifices made in weekly tithing are your most important support for our parish. However, there are pressing pastoral needs that we could better meet with a new facility.
Setting priorities
Right now, a top priority is enhancing our youth and young adult programs. Our young people face an uphill climb as Christians in today’s society. We need to do everything we can to support them and keep them rooted in their Catholic faith and parish community. I have been trying to hire a youth minister for the past two years, but the job market is challenging. I hope to have one in place for next year, but we also need better space for these programs.
Youth/Young Adult needs for a new Nazareth House
Standing in the center of the kitchen, you can touch the walls! That doesn't stop our young adults from fixing brunch for two dozen. Nor are they deterred by the need for all of them to cram into the small living room to discuss the Sunday scriptures after the 9am Mass.
The basement has some fun equipment for billiards, foosball, and ping-pong. However, our high schoolers can tell you that it is a challenge to play anything amidst all the support pillars and the low ceiling. A new gym is an amazing place for youth group events, but a nice “rec room” would be much appreciated and well used.
Other benefits of a new Nazareth House
I can foresee many uses for a new, well-designed, open floor-plan space. It wouldn’t just benefit youth and young adults. It could provide a cozy place for the small group meetings which are part of Archbishop Hebda’s pastoral plan for parishes. School Moms could also have coffee together thereafter daily Mass. Our scripture study group would no longer have to sit in a windowless basement room. The list goes on and on…
How the parish will discern this project
We recently received a generous bequest of $200k. I estimate it would take approximately $600k total to build a new Nazareth House. Residential building costs are decreasing and there is availability now on the docket of construction firms. I invite everyone to help me raise the remaining $400k to make this dream come true.
If we receive $400k in special contributions or pledge commitments by January 31, 2023, then we will proceed with the construction project. If not, the donations received will be earmarked for youth and young adult programs. I am grateful to those parishioners who have already pledged or contributed roughly $100k in response to my earlier letter!
How to think about this
Please don't divert support from your regular parish giving. We depend on those contributions for ongoing operations. However, if you are able to make an extra sacrifice towards a new Nazareth House, please do so. Be sure to clearly mark any such contribution for that purpose.
For some people, the resilience of the stock market may mean that you have extra capacity to give. For others, you might have tax benefits to be gained from donating depreciated stocks. Please contact the parish office if you wish to do so. Some people are struggling financially, and from them I only ask for prayers!
Action items:- Contributions may be mailed to the parish office, dropped in the collection basket at Mass (clearly marked "Nazareth House"), or made online by clicking here and note all pledges need to be paid by December 31st, 2023.
- Questions? Please email our business administrator, Bobbi.Hanson@hfcmn.org
God bless you!
