Together we are doing beautiful something for God Renovation Update and Special Appeal The Parish of St. Agnes Cathedral Rockville Centre, New York
A Word of Gratitude Over the past several years, parishioners and friends living in the Diocese of Rockville Centre have contributed 5.1 million dollars for the repair, restoration and enhancement of the Cathedral of St. Agnes. 2.4 million dollars came from the households of over one thousand parishioners of St. Agnes Cathedral. 2.7 million dollars was raised by Bishop Murphy from people who were not parishioners. Great gratitude is expressed towards those who have given so generously of themselves. Funding Parishioners of St. Agnes Funds raised by Bishop Murphy from outside the parish What We Have Accomplished Thus Far From January to March of 2015 and 2016, work was done in the interior of the Cathedral. The Tabernacle was moved from the side of the Sanctuary to the back center of the Sanctuary. The truly noble, prominent [and] conspicuous (GIRM 314) place for the Tabernacle was further enhanced by the installation of the baldachin that framed it and the wood paneling that added to the warmth of the Sanctuary. A new Altar, Baptismal
Font and Ambo were installed. The terrazzo flooring of the Sanctuary was replaced with Botticino marble and a mosaic installed as the floor around the Altar itself. The pews were refinished, the walls and ceiling painted, new lighting and kneelers and flooring installed. And finally, several high-definition, remote-controlled television cameras which allow the Mass to be broadcast with minimal intrusion were installed. The cost of this work was 3.4 million dollars. From the Fall of 2015 to the Summer of 2016, work was done on the south exterior façade of the Cathedral. The need for this work had only become known a year earlier when a four-foot stone cross fell from the façade and an ensuing engineering study identified the areas of the exterior, and in particular the south façade, that needed attention. This work included: the replacement of some of the limestone caps as well as areas of bricks, the replacement of the flashing beneath the Cracks in the brickwork. Broken tracery stone. Repaired tracery stone. New brickwork is in place.
Costs The dome before restoration. caps, installation of new windows and doors in the east tower, the repair of the roof of the east tower, the strengthening of the interior of the west tower and the repointing of the façade. The cost of this work was 1.7 million dollars, and this has been funded by the 5.1 million dollars raised so far in the campaign. Interior Work done in Winters of 2015 and 2016 Exterior South Façade The Cathedral at the beginning of the restoration in September 2015. The refinished dome. Cracks in the brickwork. New brickwork and capstone.
Work Still Needed to Be Done and Its Cost While the Fall 2014 Engineer s report identified the south façade of the Cathedral as needing the most attention, it also identified areas on the north, east and west façades that require attention. Fortunately, this work is projected as not being as extensive as the south façade work. The parish has received bids for the scope of this work and the most reasonable bid for this work is 1.3 million dollars. The recommendation of the Parish Finance Committee is to address these needs now and not postpone this work to some future date. The Cathedral after the removal of the scaffolding in September 2016. Preparation and scaffolding for the remaining restoration.
Funding for This Work A Matching Grant Bishop Murphy has approved a matching grant up to $650,000 for this work. This will mean that every dollar that is raised from the parishioners of St. Agnes for this work will be matched by the same amount. Parishioner Donation (per Dollar) = Actual Dollars Raised with Match Request for Help With gratitude for everyone who has given a gift, we are now being asked to complete the work on the exterior of the Cathedral. You are asked, if your means allow, to consider once again or for the first time to help our parish at this time of need to raise $650,000 (which again the Bishop has offered to match). If you have made a pledge to the original campaign, you are asked to consider extending your pledge. If you gave a one-time gift, you are asked to consider giving another gift. Or Or If you have not previously given a gift to help in this parish project, you are asked to consider giving a gift now, helping us meet this need. As always, if your present circumstances do not permit you to help us financially meet this need, your prayers for the success of our efforts would be a great gift in itself. How One Can Give Please see the enclosed form and envelope that will facilitate giving a gift. The Rectory Office (516-766-0205) and Father Bill Koenig are available for anyone who has questions.
Memorial Opportunities Relocation of the Tabernacle $1,000,000 The Adoration Chapel $750,000 Renewal of the Sanctuary and Altar Area $500,000 Altar (5 shares)** $50,000 each Baptismal Font (already memorialized) $250,000 Ambo (already memorialized) $100,000 Bronze Gates of the Adoration Chapel (already memorialized)** $75,000 The Bishop s Chair (already memorialized) $50,000 Relocation of the Crucifix (already memorialized) $25,000 each The Saints on the Baldachin (10 shares 1 share already memorialized)** Mosaic Beneath the Altar (15 shares 3 shares already memorialized)** Marble Sanctuary Flooring (40 shares 5 shares already memorialized)** Pews, New Kneelers and Floor Restoration (60 shares 13 shares already memorialized) Ceiling Renovation (50 shares 6 shares already memorialized) Installation of New Exterior and Interior Lighting (unlimited shares) Painting of the Cathedral (unlimited shares) Infrastructure Repair (unlimited shares) $20,000 each $15,000 each $10,,000 each $10,000 each $7,500 each $5,000 each $3,000 each $2,000 each ** New memorial opportunities Please note that gifts that are not designated for a specific memorial will be recognized at various levels. Together we are doing something beautiful for God Campaign Prayer Loving Father, we give you glory, we thank you for the incredible blessings you have showered upon the Parish of St. Agnes Cathedral. Help us to grow stronger as a community of faith and action. Give us the grace to fully live the Christian life. Shower your Spirit upon us that we might build up your Church. Inspire us to create a Christian community, united in faith and filled with love for one another. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
D IOCE SE OF R OC KVILLE CENTRE