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Project Update Meeting Information
The Vision Committee presented information on the current status of the building project on Wednesday, January 24th. If you were unable to attend, the meeting minutes and PowerPoint presentation are available.
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Vision Committee Updates
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Over the past eight years, there have been numerous parishioners involved in developing plans for the future of
our parish as part of the Vision Committee.
I am grateful for their involvement and guidance. They include:
Reverend Glen Szczechowski, Very Reverend Bill Hill, Jack Adams, Joe Agostini, Sylvia and Edgar Alcivar, Nancy and George Andersen, Bob Arambel, Mary Jo Arambel, Sue Arguello, Michael Boren, Lydia Borzea, Julio Delgado, Lou DePoyster, Lou Flaim, Paul Grasso, Steve Hickerson, Zack Johnson, Leo Klatka, Debbie Leisch, Stu Miller, Annabell Moreno, Mike Meyer, John Nelson, Sarah Pineda, Antonio Quezada, Holli Radakovich, Jesus Ramirez, Rick and Diane Roccabruna, Gil Ruiz, Donna Simkin, Josh Skorcz, Anith Smith, Angie Spann, Tressa Thomas, Carl and Bobbie Tomasini, Kathleen Tominc, Eric Urlacher, Ken Wilbert.
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Since June 2015, the Holy Spirit Catholic Community (HSCC) Vision/Building Committee has been evaluating steps needed to reach our parishioners’ expressed goal of creating a vibrant, growing, and unified community to serve our parish family for the next 50 to 100 years. Several “town hall” meetings were held during which the HSCC community was asked to provide input specific to group and program needs. A broad list of needs was created with the following priorities: 1) consolidating parish resources and buildings, 2) provide meeting space for parish programs and groups, 3) provide up-to-date living space for priests and religious sisters, 4) provide access for elderly or physically impaired parishioners.
An architectural firm was hired to examine the ten structures currently owned by the parish and to determine the suitability of such structures to meet our needs. The results of that examination were discussed at a “town hall” meeting in February 2019. Neither church building presents a structure that is expandable for membership growth and renovations to meet current building codes and accessibility for those with physical challenges would be very costly solutions. Sadly, we have found that no structure currently owned by the parish is suitable for this community’s expressed needs.
You may recall that in early 2019 an analysis of our community’s financial capacity was conducted by PartnersEdge. The analysis determined that only 25.5% of registered HSCC members contribute financially to the operation of the parish and determined that HSCC has some capacity to generate capital funding for a new facility but not enough to cover the size of campus we had been wishing for. So, the Vision/Building Committee made a shift in thinking regarding church expansion.
Rather than a facility designed with multiple focused spaces to meet separate needs such as liturgy, education, and administration, the goal became to design one structure for worship and for growing our community. Meet our needs with shared spaces. Of course, in so doing, the cost of a new facility should be less than the original design estimates. The idea for a “community center” was presented to The Design Studio, Inc (TDSi), which has been the architectural firm working with the committee.
An article published in the bulletin in November 2019 focused on work being pursued regarding the “community center” that would be a building with sufficient space to accommodate parish-wide celebrations for Ash Wednesday, Easter, Christmas, Confirmation, large funerals, and weddings. This building would also serve parish administration and education needs.
The Design Studio, Inc (TDSi) presented a building design plan to the parish community on Monday, February 28, 2022. Shortly after that meeting TDSi was asked to reduce the size of the proposed building to decrease the estimated cost of construction. Two months ago, an acceptable design plan was presented to the Vision/Building Committee. After seven years of work, HSCC has a conceptual rendition of a community center to meet our needs.
Where do we go from here? To build or not to build is the question. The process began nearly fifty years ago when the Diocese of Cheyenne and the people of this parish first planted the seeds of growth in this community. Hundreds of hours of work involving dozens of parishioners and consultants have been spent developing a building concept that will satisfy the needs of our community. Are we willing to join together to raise the necessary funding to move forward in our construction dream?
We have been praying as a community, publicly and privately for Our Lord’s help and guidance to grow in unity, community, and charity as we seek to build one worship space. Ask Our Lord in your prayers, “What do You want of me here as a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Community?”
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The Holy Spirit Catholic Community (HSCC) Vision & Building Committees continues to evaluate and propose steps necessary to reach the goal of creating a vibrant, growing, and unified community to serve our parish family for the next 50 to 100 years. HSCC needs and parish mission guide the efforts to serve our parishioners. A bulletin-insert in March 2020 reported work that had been pursued regarding a “community center”.
The building is to be large enough for community celebrations of Ash Wednesday, Easter, Christmas, Confirmation, large weddings, and funerals. We need one structure designed for worship and for growing community. The Design Studio, Inc. (TDSi) was retained to complete pre-design architectural work. Kenneth J Griesemer & Associates, PC was retained to provide liturgical design consultation for the worship space.
Ken Griesemer guided our community building efforts through church-wide discussions related to worship, catechesis, and program needs. You may recall participating in such listening sessions on March 9, 10, and 11 of 2020. The responses to various questions were analyzed within the standards required by the U.S. Conference of Bishops. Building design recommendations to capture liturgical needs were then presented to the architect.
The pre-design process continued during early months of the COVID-19 pandemic using virtual meeting tools. During six sessions from January 2021 through March 2021 members of the parish participated in activities and discussions about space needs and layout of spaces within the proposed building. The process is referred to as a Charette. TDSi produced multiple design renditions to help the committee and parishioners solidify ideas. The pre-design phase of our project was completed in October 2021 with plan presentation to the HSCC Vision & Building Committees in November 2021.
On January 11, 2022, Father Bill, Bob Arambel, and TDSi personnel presented a report of preliminary progress and pre-design site plan drawings to the Diocese of Cheyenne Building Committee as required by diocesan policy. The report and plans were favorably received. Diocesan representatives asked questions and made requests for additional information which will be forthcoming.
Please join your parish community to receive the report and view building design plans at a meeting on Monday, February 28, 2022, at 7:00 PM in the SCM Parish Center. Representatives of the architectural firm will address the process and product of months of work. Your questions will be answered, and your hearts will be inspired.
Also continue to pray that Our Father in heaven will help us to grow in unity, community, and charity as we seek to grow in faith as a vibrant community. Let us pray to be in one accord in worship and service to all.
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The Holy Spirit Catholic Community Vision Committee continues to evaluate and propose steps necessary to reach the goal of creating a vibrant, growing and unified community to serve our parish family for the next 50 to 100 years. HSCC parish mission and needs guide the efforts to serve our parishioners. A bulletin-insert last November focused on current work being pursued regarding a “community center”.
A building that is large enough for community masses to celebrate Ash Wednesday, Easter, Christmas, Confirmation, large weddings and funerals is the priority. Basically, we need one structure designed for worship and for growing community. Last November the Vision Committee and members of the Building Committee entered an evaluation phase to design the first part of the desired campus. The Design Studio, Inc. (TDSi) was retained to complete pre-design architectural work.
This development phase also requires planning for the inside of this building. The worship space must meet requirements established by the U.S. Conference of Bishops. The other spaces must adequately meet the needs of various parishioner groups. To this end, Bishop Biegler recommended the services of a liturgical design consultant. A liturgical consultant guides the architectural planning process through mindful focus on the importance of worship and the impact of the church building on worship.
Kenneth Griesemer was recommended to assist us based on work completed for the Newman Center and St. Lawrence O’Toole parish in Laramie. After meeting on January 26, 2020, the Building Committee and Vision Committee agreed that Kenneth J Griesemer & Associates, PC should be retained to provide professional liturgical design services for our project.
Ken will guide HSCC community building efforts through church-wide discussions related to worship, catechesis and program needs. He will ask questions and listen to responses to understand our needs. He analyzes the information to present recommendations to capture what is needed in the building design. Ken will be our advocate for liturgical needs with the architect.
This listening process will span three evenings, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, March 9th, 10th and 11th. Presentations and discussions begin at 7:00 PM each evening in the SCM Parish Center. A different topic for discussion will be presented at each meeting, so please plan to attend as many evenings as possible. By engaging our community in these discussions Ken will help us focus on the importance and value of worship. He will guide us to a building design that meets our needs and lifts our spirits to worship.
Please plan to attend these sessions. Dinner will be served at 6:15 PM each evening. Also continue to pray that Our Father in heaven will help us to grow in unity, community and charity as we seek to grow in faith as a vibrant community. Let us pray to be in one accord in worship and service to all.
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The Holy Spirit Catholic Community Vision Committee continues to evaluate and propose steps necessary to move forward with building our church community. Our parish mission and needs serve as guideposts for the efforts. Many steps have been taken to identify parish member desires relative to community growth. Overwhelmingly, surveys have shown there is a common desire to build a vibrant, growing and unified community to serve our family for the next 50 to 100 years.
In early 2016, Urbitecture was retained to help the parish through initial evaluation and planning steps. A broad list of needs was created to include: 1) consolidating parish resources and buildings, 2) provide meeting space for parish programs and groups, 3) provide up-to-date living space for priests and religious sisters, 4) provide access for elderly or physically impaired parishioners. Urbitecture was further retained to examine the ten structures currently owned by the parish and to determine the suitability of such structures to meet our needs.
A parish “needs assessment” was completed by Urbitecture in April 2017 to further guide the planning process. All aspects of parish programs, services and the needs of various groups were examined. With membership growth in mind, the Vision Committee evaluated two proposals to renovate and expand existing church buildings to accommodate seating for 650 people. It was determined that it is not economically prudent to renovate and expand either SCM or OLS buildings. There would be insufficient space for a church, meeting hall, rectory, school and required parking on existing properties.
Planning then continued with evaluating the use of a twenty-acre parcel of land on the northwest side of Rock Springs. In August 2017 HSCC members met with Bishop Biegler to discuss Urbitecture’s report. He was supportive of efforts and progress made. A parish-wide meeting was held in November 2017 to present and discuss all information gathered. The property was purchased using an anonymous donation of $75,000 in January 2018.
So, by Spring 2018 HSCC had identified the basic needs of the parish, had developed a very broad concept of what a parish campus of buildings might look like and what that plan might cost. By Fall 2018, a company named PartnersEdge, LLC, was retained to analyze our plans and capacity to finance growth. Their evaluation of HSCC financial health and capacity to fund expansion was presented to parish members at a community meeting on February 27, 2019.
PartnersEdge determined that only 25.5% of registered HSCC members contribute financially to the operation of the parish. Furthermore, contributions represent only 1.4% of the contributor’s median income. The national average for Roman Catholic contributions to church operations is between 3% and 3.5% of median income. It seems uncharacteristic for us, who are of a proud cultural heritage, to lag the rest of the nation.
The financial analysis suggests HSCC has the capacity to generate approximately $1.8 million. However, if we consider the low percentage of income given and the low percentage of households giving, there may be additional financial capacity for needs in our parish. The Vision Committee feels there is a difference between giving for regular operating expenses and funding capital projects. Could it be that the vast majority of HSCC members are waiting for the opportunity to contribute financially to a more vibrant and growing community? Father Bill and the HSCC Pastoral Council are taking steps to address this question.
The Vision Committee, too, continues to evaluate how to meet the needs of the parish. Additional steps must be taken toward the common goal of a unified community. All the work that has been undertaken to date points to a need for one worship space. How do we use what we have learned about ourselves and about church expansion for the benefit of HSCC?
An approach suggested by the Vision Committee is to generate a communal energy within our parish membership. You have seen and will continue to see opportunities to build community. Various groups within the parish support gatherings for getting acquainted with each other. A parish-wide stewardship program is underway. Numerous programs for broadening individual knowledge of our faith are also available.
Regarding church expansion, the Vision Committee intends to bring more detail to the needs identified in previous surveys. The highest priority is for a building that is large enough for community masses to celebrate Ash Wednesday, Easter and Christmas. We have a need to accommodate large weddings, funerals, and Confirmation. More space is needed for education and administration. We need one structure designed for worship and for growing community, a “community center”. The next evaluation phase is to design the first part of the desired campus.
The Design Studio, Inc. (TDSi) who have worked successfully with several Catholic church building projects in the state, has been retained to propose a building design and cost details for a community center. A new set of eyes, so to speak, will bring a different perspective to our evaluations and plans to date. TDSi will initially assist HSCC in further solidifying needs and building space. A detailed architectural rendition of a building and a budget estimate will be prepared. Once this phase is completed, we will have a picture of the building for all to see.
Bishop Biegler encourages HSCC to continue planning our church expansion. He recommends the formation of a building committee in accordance with diocesan building regulations. Such a committee will be formed soon. Next steps also include evaluating a funding campaign. This, too, will be studied in the months to come.
Please continue to pray that Our Father in heaven will help us to grow in unity, community and charity as we seek to grow in faith as a vibrant community. Let us pray to be in one accord in worship and service to all.
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This article is presented by the Holy Spirit Catholic Community Vision Committee as a means of continuing communication regarding our parish mission and needs. Last Fall our parish retained PartnersEdge, LLC to analyze HSCC’s financial health and capacity to finance growth. PartnersEdge (PE) had been recommended by the Diocese of Cheyenne. That analysis was completed this past January. The Vision Committee presented a report of results to the parish at a “town hall” meeting in February.
The work conducted by the consultant determined that average weekend Mass attendance at HSCC has declined steadily since 1999. The data indicates a decline from 1,293 in 1999 to 775 to date. However, since 2004 attendance at weekend Mass by Hispanic parish members has steadily increased from 101 to 218 to date. The trend clearly shows an overall decreasing attendance at Mass over the past ten years with an increasing percentage of Mass attendance from the Hispanic community.
Financial analysis involved creating a base model of future parish operations and projecting that model through 2029. The model was based on five years of HSCC financial information and the current year’s budget. The data shows that our parish has been operating with annual deficits varying from $4,400 to $123,000 in various years. These deficits have been covered by operating reserves which currently amount to $880,000. PartnersEdge recommends HSCC adopt and follow a balanced budget each fiscal year. In order to accomplish this an increase in income or a decrease in expenses is needed.
A third part of the analysis involved identifying patterns of financial support for parish operations. Addresses, without names, for all registered parish members were entered into a national data file which has been proven useful in estimating a parish’s financial capacity. Demographic information from census tract data was then plotted to estimate parishioners’ giving patterns. This part of the report was quite revealing.
It appears that only a small minority of parishioners contribute financially to the parish on a regular basis. Only 25.5% of all registered households contributed to the parish during the past five years. The average amount given was $967 which represents 1.4% of their median income. Fewer parishioners give to the Diocese of Cheyenne. Only 10.2% of members give with an average of $393 or ½% of their median income.
If we consider giving to the parish, the diocese or the parish school, we find that only 27.3% of all registered parishioners contribute regularly. Our parish trails the national average in both percentage of median income given and percentage of total members giving. We give 1.4% of our income compared to 3% to 3.5% nationally. One fourth of HSCC households contribute versus 50% to 60% nationally.
There is great news, however. The “silver lining” hidden in the seemingly negative analysis results for our parish is that there is a lot of room to grow. Seventy two percent of all parishioners are waiting for the opportunity to contribute to this community.
Results of one of the surveys conducted at the beginning of the Vision Committee’s discovery process determined that a common desire of parish members is to build a vibrant, growing community. Is this the opportunity to begin a financial support plan for each parishioner?
We pray that Our Father in heaven will help us to grow in unity, community and charity as we seek to grow in faith as a vibrant community. Let us pray to be in one accord in worship and service to all.
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This article is presented by the Holy Spirit Catholic Community Vision Committee as a means of continuing communication regarding our parish mission and needs. You may recall the article published as an insert to the HSCC bulletin of September 30, 2018 in which our parish association with PartnersEdge, LLC (PE) was announced. PE will provide an independent analysis of current plans, needs and capacity to finance our parish dream to be one community in spirit and form.
During the past month Father Bill, parish staff members and the Finance Council have provided necessary input to PE for their analysis and assessment. Data sets, such as numbers of registered parishioners, total parish stewardship giving amounts, annual operating expenses, budget statements, diocesan giving amounts, cost estimates of our building project, and parish school data have been provided to “kickoff” this assessment. Other information will be reported as PE conducts its analysis; and of course, more information will be presented to you as the project moves forward.
But why do we have to move on at all? Why can’t the parish just continue as we are now? Afterall, each parishioner has opportunity to attend Mass on Sunday at a time that accommodates their schedule. What else do we need?
Extensive energy has been spent over the past three years to answer the question “What do we need?” The resounding answer from parishioners is “We want to build a vibrant and unified community.” So, how do we grow together when we continue to be split between two undersized church buildings?
Each of the church buildings will seat approximately 270 worshipers. Parish membership rolls currently indicate a count of approximately 5,000 registered members. Obviously, there is space to accommodate only a small percentage of our parish community at any one time. Attendance at the most recent Masses for First Communion and Confirmation had to be limited to participants and immediate family members due to seating capacity. Is it possible for a “unified community” to flourish when all activities must be presented to small pieces of the whole at any one time?
We have found that both church buildings are in relatively good structural condition having been well maintained. Some components, however, are over 100 years old. Exterior masonry at the SCM church building recently needed repair. A project was completed to replace small areas of the mortar between bricks in the walls. That cost was $38,045. Have you noticed that paint and plaster on the sanctuary walls and ceiling continue to fall away due to underlying moisture?
Additionally, both church buildings are largely out of compliance with current building and life safety codes for handicapped accessibility, restroom facilities, fire protection and codes for building entrances and exits. People with impaired mobility cannot readily exit either building. Restroom facilities are terribly inadequate to serve our needs. Frankly, it is very concerning to us of how the elderly or those physically disabled or visitors view this lack of accommodations.
The rectory, too, has components that are over 100 years old. This is the house next door to SCM church where Father Bill and Father Emilio live. The concrete and brick structure is cracking due to soil settlement. Exterior masonry must be repaired. Like the church building next door, the rectory is not compliant with current building and safety codes. Electrical, heating, plumbing and air handling systems desperately need upgrading. Truly, the rectory is nearing the end of its useful life!
Our parish office building, which was built 60 years ago to serve as a rectory for the OLS church, is fully functioning and well utilized. However, its current condition does not comply with building and life safety codes. There are cracks in the walls due to settlement. The building is not handicapped accessible. Restroom facilities are inadequate. Flooring on the second floor is not level in numerous locations.
What would you think of a house that has cracks in the walls that penetrate from inside all the way through to the outside? Would you buy it? Most people wouldn’t, but this is the condition of the space we currently have available for our religious sisters. That house, which is located across the street from the front door of SCM church, has exceeded its useful life cycle. The house is beyond economical repair and may require immediate specialized remediation efforts to meet building safety codes. Our building consultant, Urbitecture, has recommended the house be abandoned because of its state of disrepair.
Across the parking lot from the sisters’ house we find “Trinity House”. A structure that was originally constructed for officer’s quarters for the U.S. Cavalry following the Chinese Massacre in 1885. This wood-framed structure, well over 100 years old, now houses our adoration chapel. The building is in severe disrepair. Urbitecture recommends demolition of this building because it is dangerous for occupancy.
How much longer can we extend the life of these parish buildings? Is it prudent to continue funding a seemingly bottomless maintenance list? The current year’s capital building maintenance budget of $19,000 is never enough. Maintenance projects such as replacing the Parish Center roof and replacing the east side of the parking lot across the street from SCM church have been pushed out to sometime in the future.
Holy Spirit Catholic Community now owns property that is well located and developable. A new church campus at the southwest corner of the intersection of Foothill Blvd. and Stagecoach Dr. will substantially contribute to the unification of our parish. The cycle of life seems to have come full circle. It is time to spawn a renewed life.
We pray that Our Father in heaven will help us to grow in unity, community and charity as we seek to build one worship space. Let us pray to be in one accord in worship and service to all.
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During the coming months an organization called PartnersEdge, LLC, will work with Holy Spirit Catholic Community to review our proposed building project. This work is sponsored and funded by the Diocese of Cheyenne. In brief, the goal is to have an independent analysis of current plans, needs and capacity to finance our parish dream to be one community in spirit and form. Of course, there are many detailed steps to be taken and information to be presented to our community as this analysis proceeds. Our faith community will be involved at all levels.
By the way, how did we get here? This article has been prepared by the HSCC Vision Committee to present a brief history of past efforts and decisions relative to the planning process and to keep our faith community informed about what is happening in our parish.
Many years ago, in the mid-1970’s, the Catholic community of Rock Springs began a journey of faith. With an eye toward our future growth and spiritual needs, the Diocese of Cheyenne purchased a parcel of land located in the shadow of White Mountain. Prayerfully the two parishes of Our Lady of Sorrows (OLS) and Saints Cyril and Methodius (SCM) officially became Holy Spirit Catholic Community (HSCC) in 1995.
Although we became one parish in name, we continued to congregate as separate communities. Yes, we had one pastor; one Board of Trustees; one Finance Council; one financial operation; but we worshiped our God separately. We still have two churches; that is, two church buildings.
Then in 2012 the Bishop of Cheyenne offered HSCC an opportunity to purchase those twenty-plus acres purchased back in the seventies. We could buy the land for the same amount as spent back then, however, a five-year time limit was imposed during which we were required to develop a plan to utilize that acreage for a church campus.
HSCC acted quickly, hiring Wilbert Engineering, Inc. in 2013 to determine the suitability of this tract of land for the construction of a large church campus. The suitability study was completed in February 2013. However, no action was taken until June 2015 when a Vision Committee was convened to assess HSCC member attitudes and opinions regarding repair, renovation, maintenance, or replacement of necessary church structures.
Two surveys were conducted; three community “town hall” meetings were held; general opinion indicated a desire to build a vibrant, growing and unified community and that the current configuration of worship and meeting space did not support this wish. An architectural firm called Urbitecture was contracted to determine life cycle and long-term opportunities for existing structures and to look at requirements for new property development. This work was funded with a grant from the Diocese of Cheyenne.
In August 2016 a meeting was held with the Bishop of Cheyenne to review the results of surveys and work completed. He was pleased with our progress, however, Bishop Etienne stated that he could not support renovating the existing structures. He was supportive of moving forward with the next phase of planning. The required $50,000 was donated anonymously. A second “town hall” meeting was held in September 2016 to present Vision Committee findings and plans for the next phase.
A parish “needs assessment” was conducted to guide the planning process. All aspects of parish programs, services and the needs of various groups were examined. With membership growth in mind, the Vision Committee evaluated two proposals to renovate and expand existing church buildings to accommodate seating for 650 people. It was determined that it is not economically prudent to renovate and expand either SCM or OLS buildings. There would be insufficient space for a church, meeting hall, rectory, school and required parking on existing properties.
Building new became the logical direction. Plans to use the SCM Parish Center fell short due to the lack of space for structures and parking. Additionally, coal mining in the area decades earlier had left large voids underground. Construction planning would require extensive testing and remediation efforts. It was decided that building new on that site would not be prudent.
The Vision Committee then determined that the option to develop the Foothill property was most sensible when considering the current and future needs of the HSCC community. Four structural plans with multiple layouts to meet HSCC needs were developed by Urbitecture. These plans, along with a proposal to purchase the property at Foothill Blvd. and Stagecoach were presented to our new bishop in August 2017.
Bishop Biegler approved the purchase with a few stipulations such as the requirement to develop a pastoral plan; determine a plan for the disposition of existing properties; and determination of a fund-raising program. Our Bishop met with the Diocesan Board to draft a resolution to sell the “Foothill” property to HSCC for $75,000 with conditions agreed upon at the August meeting and after a fair market analysis was completed. Such analysis placed the value of this property at $1.2 million.
A “town hall” meeting was held in November 2017 to present all information and plans to that date. Next steps were presented. The plan to purchase the property was well received by those in attendance. A contract for the purchase was drafted with an additional stipulation that construction was to begin within ten years, else the property would revert to the Diocese of Cheyenne. The property was purchased in January 2018 with funds from an anonymous donor.
Efforts continue to plan events to build community and to bring our worship under one roof. We pray that Our Father in heaven will help us to grow in unity, community and charity as we seek to build one worship space. Let us pray to be in one accord in worship and service to all.
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