WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO FOR A WALK?

Having a newly constituted Fabric & Finance group, it was decided that an inspection of the plant (mainly outside) was necessary, and what a good job we did. In the two hours it took to work our way around the church, hall and presbytery we identified many jobs that need remedying in the near future. A long schedule was draw up of items to be tackled. For instance, it was decided that a drain inspection was called for because of how the footpaths had buckled and moved; another area of concern were some of the soffits and facia boards. Some of the rainwater goods (gutter and downspouts) needed attention; and it was found that nearly all the presbytery window frames had rotted. Certain works on roofs and garage and hall were identified. And noticed that someone had attempted to remove lead from the hall roof! So if you see workmen around the place in the weeks and months ahead you will know what it is about.

But what of the inside? Well, already two important works have been identified: one is the renewal of the heating system in the Parish Hall which has served well over many years but is now nearing the end of its useful life. The other is an upgrade of the Toilet for the Disabled also in the Parish Hall.  I feel that these works are but a beginning to a long schedule of up grades and improvements. Already people have been suggesting to me certain changes that they would like to see in the church to ‘beautify’ it. This is music to my ears, it tells me that people care enough about their church to have considered how to make it more ‘user friendly.’  One woman, who was originally from St. Ignatius’ Parish, reminded me that the lovely old churches in the town had taken many years to become as beautiful and lovely as they are, ‘They weren’t built like that.’ We have a solid church, a good size generally for our congregation and one that is relatively easy to maintain.  I suppose that it is time now for us to look to ways of enhancing the beauty of the church building so that it is not only a practical building but also one that lifts our spirits just by the fact of having stepped into it. One of the Psalms proclaims: How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord God of Hosts. That should be our aim.