Open Wide the Doors
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“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.” ~Rev. 3:20
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The last major church renovation was in 1967. As we look to the future, we must address the needs of an aging building. Our worship space is sacred. It is where we are fed and nourished, consoled and challenged. Along with much-needed maintenance work, we have an opportunity to enhance the sanctuary space to create a worship experience that evangelizes through its beauty and function for the generations that follow us.
A Pivotal Point
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Campaign Story in the Catholic Review
Check out this story about our capital campaign, Open Wide the Doors, in the December 2022 edition of the Catholic Review! Click on the image for the link to the full story.
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Quarry Visit
At the end of October 2022 Fr. Rick, along with parishioner Kevin Sniffen, Building Committee chair Tyler Tate, JRS Architect John Srygley, and CAM Construction Project Manager John Speights visited Martin Marietta Quarry on Beaver Dam Road, the original quarry that was the source of the ”Cockeysville marble” used to construct our church. Our founding members— mostly Irish immigrants— worked in that quarry, so they were directly involved in the building of their own parish. The stone for the Washington Monument in DC (or the bottom 1/3 of it) also came from this quarry, as did the pillars of the US Capitol. The renovation of our church will include a stone arch made of Cockeysville marble from the very same quarry!
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What is Open Wide the Doors
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Questions answered at Town Hall
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What's The Plan?
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In addition to renovating the infrastructure, the corners of the transepts will be opened to improve sight-lines to the altar and to each other, as well as adding nearly 100 more seats. The beautiful arch around the front doors of the church, made of original Cockeysville stone, will harmonize with an arch made of the same stone framing Jesus on the cross, in the center of the sanctuary. The statues of St. Joseph and the Jesus Divine Mercy will be moved to the walls of the new transepts with kneelers and votive candles for private prayer.
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The Specifics
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- Major systems: Obsolete HVAC, sound and lighting systems, have been tended to with care, but they are 60 years old and need replacement.
- Functional needs of the main church: Improve circulation, energy efficiency, seating capacity; meet building codes for restrooms and ADA accessibility. We also need better spaces for gathering and must address energy efficiency and environmental questions.
- Music: A flexible music space designed for our large and varied music ministry with enhanced acoustics is needed, along with a new pipe organ to replace the aged digital organ.
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Homily Week 1: "Be Not Afraid”
Let’s talk about Why and Why Now?
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Homily Week 2:“He is like a tree planted near running water”We need to talk about infrastructure.
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Homily Week 3:“Put on the Image of the Heavenly One”Inspire and open our hearts to God’s presence.
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OPEN WIDE THE DOORS
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…TO INSPIRATION
We want to experience the presence of God in the liturgy and in the church building. By brightening the church, raising the height of the ceiling, and installing a beautiful dome with the Holy Spirit at its center, we will not only improve acoustics, but we will visually lift the hearts and prayers of the congregation heavenward. New finishes and sanctuary furnishings will create a sense of sacred beauty to foster inspiration and be a place where people can let go of the distractions and stress of a busy, secular world to encounter the presence of God.
….TO EACH OTHER
We want to embrace all our brothers and sisters, no matter where they are in life’s journey. Our space should be accessible to all. Upgrades to the Children’s Loft will make it soundproof and easier for families with little ones to worship fully. We plan to expand the front vestibule by 30% and install a bride’s parlor to improve the experience of weddings. Up-to-date and more spacious bathrooms will bring us up to code, and entrances to the interior will be totally accessible for those with mobility issues, wheelchairs, and walkers.
…TO THE FUTURE
We want to create an environment that speaks to generations to come. Our church should be energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Beneath the classic design will be an infrastructure that supports the latest technology for
livestreaming as well as future technology needs.OPEN WIDE THE DOORS TO CHRIST
Join us as we create a space that inspires us to encounter Christ and sends us out into our world as witnesses more fully.
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Campaign Prayer
God of grace and glory, you lead us day by day, providing for what we truly need, and we praise you and offer our thanks for your saving power at work in us. In Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Virgin and Guardian of the Redeemer, you give us an example of faith, courage, and perseverance. Through his intercession, give success to this work of our hands that our parish may be an ever brighter beacon of faith, worship, and witness in our community.
May we open wide the doors of our hearts to Jesus Christ so that those we meet today, tomorrow, and in the years to come will see in us the fruits of your Holy Spirit and join us on the path of holiness toward your Kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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Questions?
[email protected]
410.683.0600
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