The Process
On the 25th anniversary of the Diocese of Knoxville, our Bishop Stika unveiled the Home Campaign to address the mounting capital needs of our rapidly growing local Church, and to provide solutions to the various problems this rapid growth creates at every level of pastoral care. Since the Catholics of East Tennessee still need to build a purpose-designed cathedral for our diocese, our bishop included a portion of this cost in the campaign goals (18% of the total).
The three year goal for each parish is 1.4 times annual offertory giving. Our parish goal is $1,322,933. Each parish determines capital needs for half the funds it raises, while the remaining funds support long-term regional needs of the Catholic Church in East Tennessee.
In early 2015, Father Bede invited key advisory bodies in the parish to recommend capital improvements for inclusion in the Home Capital Campaign.
In the fall of 2015, Father Shelton and the Parish Pastoral Council conducted two “Open Forums” to aid overall pastoral discernment, including discernment of mission-oriented capital improvements.
In November of 2015, the Parish Facilities Committee finalized estimated costs of all the proposed improvements, and submitted these estimates to the Parish Pastoral Council. Afterwards, the Pastoral Council made its prioritized recommendations to Father Shelton. Father Shelton then scheduled a “walk-through” for parishioners in order to explain the proposals, and to listen to comments, complaints, questions and suggestions before making any final decisions. Father Shelton approved the proposed parish priorities in December.
Our parish begins its three year participation in the Home Campaign on April 16th & 17th, coordinated by John Hough and aided by a large team of parish volunteers.
The Priorities
Priority one: Convert present cafeteria into a multi-purpose “Social Hall”, with: professionally engineered acoustic control; lighting suitable for various gatherings; new seating that is portable, comfortable and easily maintained; sound system suitable for conferences; accessible restrooms on the south-west side (existing restrooms to become closets); and more welcoming, more secure and better lit exterior around west side entrance. $175,000.
Reseal bell tower to address chronic leaking and wall deterioration. $5000.
Priority two: Create parish greenway (4500’ walking distance), in order to: project to Oak Ridge the vitality of our parish; provide ease of access to existing parish centers of Marian devotion and environmental conservation; provide opportunity for future “Outdoor Stations of the Cross” and similar use of the open grounds; contribute to physical health of our parishioners and neighbors. $15,000.
Priority three: Replace aging HVAC units (phase one). $180,000
Priority four: Install security vestibule at main entrance of school. $5000.
Priority five: Install card-reader system at primary facility doorways (five doors total), in order to: better coordinate facility scheduling and parishioner/visitor access; eliminate problem of unreturned keys; reduce security threats. $12,000.
Priority six: Refurbish two aging restrooms in school. $35,000.
Priority seven: Rectory improvements–refurbish guest bathroom. $5000.
Priority eight: Replace aging HVAC units (phase two). $180,000
Priority nine: Build up reserve funds for future facilities needs (e.g. parking lot repair, emergency repairs to buildings as needed, erosion abatement on parish grounds, etc.).