Thursday, 27 October 2011 11:16

Masses to begin this weekend

By Christopher M. Riggs

Mass-goers will get an inside look at the new, almost-complete Good Shepherd Hall this weekend.

Chris Baalmann, project manager for Simpson & Associates, said last week that it will take about two more weeks before the floor tiling in the hall is complete. “So for the first weekend of Mass, half to three-quarters of the floor will be done, and we’re hoping by the next weekend Mass it will be all done,” he said.

The wallpaper and sound panels for the hall are still on backorder, Baalmann said, and a bit more trim still needs to be installed. The restrooms on the second floor won’t be completed for another week, although the kitchen area will be ready for its temporary role as a vesting sacristy.

The concrete has been poured for the basement of the new gathering area just east of the Cathedral, he said, and the installation of structural steel for the first floor has begun.

“The parish offices are pretty well framed out,” Baalmann said, and dry wall work has begun in those areas where the former Pius X and Marian rooms were located and upstairs in the conference room areas. Most of the mechanical and electrical work is also finished in both locations.

“Everything is on schedule here and we’re gearing up to get into the Cathedral,” he said.

The reredos, the large decorative artwork behind the altar, will be dismantled beginning in November. In addition, pews will be removed for refinishing, the balcony will be dismantled in preparation for its extension, and the metal heat radiators will be removed.

“The organ has already been removed and we talked to the painter – they’re on schedule,” Baalmann said. “They’ve sent us the God the Father image and that’s been approved by the committee.”

The decorative painting in the Cathedral won’t begin until February or March, he said.

“We’ll get the altar and the reredos all out of there and then we’ll have to take up the floor,” Baalmann said.

The floor in much of the sanctuary will be removed so that new concrete footings can be poured to support the new configuration of the sanctuary. When complete, the altar will be moved north, a little closer to the pews, so that a small chapel can be constructed behind the reredos.

Mabee donations accepted online

For a limited time, you can make an online gift to support the renovation of St. Joseph Pastoral Center and the thousands of individuals and families served here. Now you can be a part of the TOGETHER Vision with just a few clicks. Click here to make a one-time gift, and your dollars willl be nearly doubled through a $500,000 Mabee Challenge Grant.

“Thus far our diocesan family has generously supported the renovation of our Cathedral campus, seminarian education and Catholic formation programs,” said Mike Wescott, director of Development for the diocese.