Announcements

 

April 12, 2024

Dear Friends,

Praised be Jesus Christ!

This will likely be my last weekly communication on the repairs to our building.  The bookshelves are back in and the temporary heaters are installed.  We have some final clean-up, but the students should be back into the classrooms on Monday, April 15.  Once that happens, everything will take a pause until mid-June when the year is concluded and the new heaters are installed.

As I look back on the weekly exercise of writing to update you on the storm damage repair project, it has been a blessing to remain in close contact with the people of our parish family.  I very much appreciate all the positive feedback and the many people who stopped to thank me for sending these updates.  I also want to thank you for remaining engaged and supportive through the stories of contracts, pipes, electrical connections and heating systems.  I never thought I would know so much about heating systems as I do now!  Ah, the things they do not teach you in the Seminary!  In all seriousness, while those can be somewhat dry topics, your passion for the parish, school and students has remained strong.

Updating our fundraising effort, we have not closed the books, but we estimate that we have received $50,600 in pledges and collections from the Royal Affair Fund-a-Need effort, as well as $54,575 from our parishioners toward our goal of $120,000.  All along this has been one family coming together to support a need, not two separate entities with a common goal.  This makes me proud.  I look forward to future opportunities for that reality to be expressed that does not involve damage to our building!

As we celebrate the Easter season, and with spring upon us, we are presented with signs of new life.  I imagine there is a sense of new life for the teachers and students who can finally return to their classrooms.  January seems like a long time ago, and through this whole process our teachers, students, and parents have responded with grace, professionalism, and positivity.  For this I am most grateful!

Our Lady of the Assumption…pray for us!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Aaron R. Laskiewicz, Pastor

 

April 5, 2024

Dear Friends,

Praised be Jesus Christ!  He is risen, He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

Allow me to extend my Easter greetings with you all and my hope that you have had a wonderful Easter week.  While the students are away enjoying Easter break, our maintenance staff was busy replacing floors in two of the classrooms, and completing the pressure testing of pipes.  In addition to this, we were able to re-drywall the school lobby as part of another project.  Next week, the bookshelves will go back in place, all of the classrooms will get cleaned, and furniture put back in place.

Everything is proceeding according to schedule and we are hoping that the combination of warmer weather and temporary heat will allow us to have the kids back in the classroom starting April 15th.

I was recently asked why we decided to attempt to raise the funds for this unplanned emergency project versus just using Love One Another Capital Campaign funds.  The primary reason is because this was not part of our original request in raising the funds and the Campaign rules rightly only allow us to use the funds for the case put forth when the Campaign launched.  This did allow, however, the parish and school families to come together in a joint effort to address this special circumstance.  The resulting generosity has been incredible!  We intend to report final numbers at the end of April, but things are coming along nicely.

There is still a lot of hard work to do, but I remain grateful to everyone who has helped us navigate these unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances.  May the peace of the Risen Lord fill our hearts!

Our Lady of the Assumption…pray for us!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Aaron R. Laskiewicz, Pastor

 

March 23, 2024

Dear Friends,

Praised be Jesus Christ!

This week, work continued within the Middle School wing.  The pipes installed last week were insulated.  We remediated the insulation on some older pipes and look to wrap up our last plumbing efforts before summer sometime next week.  Meanwhile, our electrician re-balanced the loads from some of the classrooms in preparation to install electric heaters.

Next week we expect to begin remediation of the damaged flooring, and preparing ourselves for the replacement of that flooring while the kids are on Easter break.  The project is going well and we still hope to reoccupy the lower classrooms in mid to late April.  We remain optimistic.

The Royal Affair was a major success!  Not only was it a night of great fun and community celebrating our wonderful school, it was a night of incredible generosity.  We set a record for the most money raised for the Fund-A-Need with a total of $50,000.  The total net revenue of the Royal Affair is just over $100,000 which is itself a record.  I never doubted that our families would be generous, but I am still overwhelmed by the passion shown through that level of generosity.  In my monthly statement letter last month, I shared with the parish at-large that we needed help.  This too was another example of love and generosity.  The collection was 2 ½ times larger than average with over $28,000 donated specifically for the Storm Damage Emergency Fund.  Thank you!

While returning to the classrooms remains a top priority and work continues in earnest, I encourage our parish family to now shift our focus toward participating fully in Holy Week.  This, in my opinion, is the best week of the year.  It totally encapsulates the entirety of our faith.  The cross and the empty tomb reveal to the whole world the truth of God’s love, the identity of Jesus, and the reality of our salvation.  Please make this week different - make it holy.  As such, I will not be sending an update on Good Friday.  I look forward to seeing you at Mass and praying with you through the Sacred Triduum.

Our Lady of the Assumption…pray for us!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Aaron R. Laskiewicz, Pastor

 

March 15, 2024

Dear Friends,

Praised be Jesus Christ!

This week the contractor completed the demolition of the old heating units and piping, removed scrap material and installed the supply and return lines for the new heating units.  The removal and replacement of the floors in two classrooms starts March 29th while the children are out of school on break.  Directly following the replacement of damaged flooring, the bookshelves will be reinstalled over the new supply and return lines and on top of the new floor tile.  The restoration contractor will then reassemble and put all the bookshelves back in place in the first part of April.  The final step was to install the new Unit Vent heaters.

However, we were told that the delivery date for the new heaters is delayed.  So, we are shifting to our “Plan B” which is to have the pipes and bookshelves back in place, clean everything up, and install the heaters in summer.  We will bring in temporary space heaters and reopen the classrooms.  Our electrician has evaluated the wiring to ensure we can safely and appropriately balance electrical loads between space heaters and instructional needs.  This can be done safely.  At this point we are targeting mid- to late- April for a return to the classrooms under temporary heat.

This experience has forced us all to remain flexible and patient as we work through the various challenges and adjust our plans as we go.  Ideally, the new unit vents would have been fabricated and shipped to us more in line with the original timeline.  But, since we have this delay and no guarantee that if we wait out the current delay there cannot be any further delays, we are prioritizing returning to the classrooms over having everything done and looking perfect.  There will be an unsightly seven-foot gap in the book shelves where each new heater unit is expected to go, and a space heater blowing heat into the room.  God willing, April will bring warmer temperatures, and while we could still get some chilly weather, we do not expect to be below freezing for extended periods of time.  We believe that we can keep the rooms comfortable.

My gratitude is once again extended to all those involved.  Please join me in prayer for all of the workers on this project.  I invite you to pray for their safety and wisdom as they work to restore our classrooms.  We continue to entrust our parents, teachers, children, and staff to the protection of our Blessed Mother.

Our Lady of the Assumption…pray for us!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Aaron R. Laskiewicz, Pastor

 

March 9, 2024

Dear Friends,

Praised be Jesus Christ!

This week, our contractor began the demolition process to remove all the damaged pipes and equipment.  This will be followed immediately by the steamfitters installing new supply and return lines.  We are scheduled for the removal and replacement of the damaged floors in the two classrooms where we were unable to prevent the pipes from bursting to follow directly after the above work is complete.

Following these two activities, another contractor will come in and begin to reinstall the book shelves, clean up, and prepare classrooms to receive the new heating units.

My monthly statement letter has arrived in parishioner’s homes inviting those who are able, to support us in addressing the $120,000 shortfall.  Please prayerfully discern how you might be able to financially assist us.

The Royal Affair, the primary fundraiser for our Parish School, is sold out and we are expecting a record attendance.  There will be a special Fund-A-Need opportunity for those in attendance to support our effort to fund the out of pocket cost to repair our classrooms.

While there is a lot of work to do, we are progressing well and have many wonderful people working hard.  Each week as I share this update with you, I find myself continually grateful for the hard work, the ministry, and the sacrifices made by all to educate and form our children in the name of Jesus Christ.

Holy Mary, Mother of God…pray for us!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Aaron R. Laskiewicz, Pastor

 

March 1, 2024

Dear Friends,

I have a brief update for you this week.  Progress continues on the work in the Middle School wing.  Purchase orders are issued and outstanding as we await a firm delivery date from the heating unit manufacturer.  Materials are ordered and pipefitters will begin installing the supply and return lines in the next two weeks.  Other contractors will be removing and repairing the water damaged floor in one of the classrooms.  Meanwhile our fundraising efforts continue.  The monthly statement letter to the whole Parish will be arriving in your mailbox late next week in conjunction with the Royal Affair happening on March 9.  What a joy that the Royal Affair is sold out this year!

Several significant donations from parishioners have already started arriving at the Parish Office in response to these weekly updates.  I reaffirm my gratitude for the generosity that has already been shown and I know will continue to be shown in the coming weeks.  See you at Mass and the Royal Affair!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Aaron R. Laskiewicz, Pastor

 

February 23, 2024

Dear Friends,

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Last week’s update centered on the decisions we made to properly repair the Middle School heating system and the mutual effort of our parish and school to raise $120,000 to replace our 64-year-old equipment.

This week, I completed my monthly statement letter to the parish as a whole detailing the fundraising for this project.  The letter will arrive in early March and there will be a line item for the “Storm Damage Emergency Fund”.  The letter and Royal Affair “Fund-A-Need” on March 9th will work side by side to complement each other with donations going into the same purpose.  If you are unable to attend the Royal Affair, please consider supporting our efforts through the line item on the monthly statement.  If you can attend the Royal Affair, I look forward to seeing you there.

Further, progress continues with the repair work.  Purchase orders are going out for the new equipment and worker schedules are shaping up.  The first step will be the removal and replacement of the damaged floor in Room 116.  Shortly thereafter the pipe fitters will follow with the installation of the new supply and return lines.  That work will take place in the next couple weeks while the heaters are on order so upon their arrival, we are ready for installation.

I am proud to say that our staff has not missed an opportunity to move this project along and has worked hard and diligently.  I continue to pray in gratitude for everyone’s understanding and sacrifice.  My prayer now also includes gratitude for your anticipated generosity.  May God reward you all!

Holy Mary, Mother of God…pray for us!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Aaron R. Laskiewicz, Pastor

 

February 16, 2024

Dear Friends,

Praised be Jesus Christ!

This week I can announce that we have received the final information from all the contractors and have chosen Butters Fetting as our partner in the repair of the building.  In addition to providing the lowest bid, they are the most familiar with our building as we have worked with them for many years.

Work will begin as soon as possible.  The project will consist of essentially three jobs.  The first job is the replacement of all supply lines, heaters, and equipment in the Middle School / Intermediate wing (Grades 3-8). As we have mentioned in prior updates, the heating units in that part of the building are 64 years old and replacement makes far more sense than repair.  The re-piping of water lines and restoration of the water damage to Room 114 can begin immediately.  As soon as that is done, bookshelves will be rehung so that all that is remaining is to install the heaters when they arrive.  The second job is the replacement of four coils in the Primary wing and the restoration of the water damage in Room 207.  All of the Primary wing classrooms are currently occupied by our students, so that work will occur during Easter Break, which works well with the estimated lead time on replacement parts.  The third job is the repair of the primary heating coils in the air handler that heats the church, which is located behind the cafeteria.  We are also targeting Easter Break for that work as well, but it can happen at any time after the coils arrive.  Finally, we will be converting the entire heating system to be compatible with a glycol mixture to ensure that these pipes cannot freeze in the future.

In our conversations with the insurance company, they would pay up to the cost to repair the units in the Middle School / Intermediate wing rather than their replacement, and fully for the other two jobs which are repairs. Replacing heaters and upgrading to a glycol system is not covered.  The estimated cost difference is about $120,000.  The Royal Affair Committee has agreed to make this the focus of our Fund-A-Need for the upcoming Royal Affair Gala in March.  We ask those attending the Royal Affair to be as generous as they can in regard to the Fund-A-Need.  I will also be approaching our congregation as a whole in the next few weeks with the same request.  We are hopeful that as one parish family we can cover this gap through the generosity that is often displayed in our parish.

I am so grateful for the prayerful support and generous offers of assistance.  So many have stepped forward and that is a testament to the generosity of our family and the love we have for our parish and school.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Aaron R. Laskiewicz, Pastor

 

February 10, 2024

Dear Friends,

Praised be Jesus Christ!

I am writing to provide another update on the storm damage to our classrooms.

In the last couple weeks, we sought bids from three major HVAC contractors, received those bids, reviewed those bids with the engineer who is guiding us through the bid evaluation process, formulated the clarifying question for each contractor based on the specifics of those bids, and submitted the specific questions for each bid for follow-up at the end of last week.  We were hoping to have final numbers from all the contractors by the close of business Friday, February 9, 2024, but one is still outstanding.  We anticipate choosing a contractor (again based on having all possible facts in hand) early next week.  Given the size of the project we will then seek a proxy and waiver from the Archdiocese to allow us to begin work as soon as possible.  If we choose a contractor early next week, I may post next week’s update earlier than the upcoming Friday afternoon.

We continue to entrust this project to our Blessed Mother and pray in gratitude for all those involved.

Holy Mary Mother of God…pray for us!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Aaron R. Laskiewicz, Pastor

 

February 2, 2024

Dear Friends,

I’m writing to provide another update on the storm damage to our classrooms.

Earlier this week multiple bids were received from the contractors who evaluated the damage to our building from the recent power loss and frozen pipes.  As you would expect, each contractor looked at the problem a little bit differently.  We have met with an engineer who is an expert in this field and established a series of follow-up questions for each contractor to respond to.  We will select a contractor and scope of work based on a number of factors including price, best long-term solution, and lead times.  All options are being pursued with the strongest sense of urgency, but we will not rush into a short-term decision with long-term consequences.

I think it is also important to be fully transparent with the context and scope of the decisions we’re making.  The classrooms in which this damage occurred are over 60 years old.  While the heating equipment has been well maintained, serviced and kept up, it has not been upgraded or replaced.  Of course, we are giving serious consideration to the long-term feasibility of repairing this equipment vs. replacement and the financial impacts of each option.  Regardless of whether we replace the heaters or repair them, that entire wing of the school will need to be re-plumbed in with new service and new return lines for the boiler system.  If you look at this from your own perspective, it’s a little bit like considering whether you would repair or replace a very old furnace in your own home.

This is not a small project for St. Mary Parish School and it is not something for which we have planned or budgeted.  So, we will address questions of timelines and costs as soon as we have all the facts at hand.  Finally, work continues on evaluating the feasibility and costs and best possible options for backup electricity or other solutions which could prevent a recurrence of this type of catastrophic failure in our heating system.

We continue to entrust this project to our Blessed Mother and pray in gratitude for all those involved.

Holy Mary Mother of God…pray for us!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Aaron R. Laskiewicz, Pastor

 

January 26, 2024

Dear Friends,

By now most are aware of the damage we suffered under the recent storm and cold weather, the amazing collective response of our community and staff and the efforts made to keep the school not just open but meeting our own high standards for education in spite of space challenges.  If not, the details are available in my initial post below (dated January 19).

This week, the damage has been professionally assessed and we are working with our insurance carrier to obtain proposals / bids from multiple contractors as is appropriate in a situation like this.  Those contractors have all been through the building and are working on providing us their proposals.  Once we receive those proposals, we will evaluate each bid on the basis of lead time for components, installation times, costs, etc.  We will then select a contractor to begin work as soon as possible.  In that process, a decision will be made about what to repair and what to replace, how much will be covered by insurance, how much we may need to fund internally, how today’s efforts will prevent future problems, the timeline in which all this work will be completed and ultimately the anticipated date students will be returned to their regular classrooms.  I ask for your patience in this process.  As stewards of our parish and school, we are discerning what is best for the long-term care of our buildings.

Naturally, there is a lot of wonder around this situation.  To help ease the unknown, to the extent I am able, I intend to provide weekly updates every Friday sharing information on Flocknote and the Royal News (school’s digital newsletter).

Again, thank you for your understanding, patience and most of all your prayer.  On Tuesday, we celebrated Mass with the school (which seemed like forever since the last Mass) and after Communion we prayed the Hail Mary together.  We did so, entrusting this project, and all involved, to our Blessed Mother.  We also prayed in thanksgiving for everyone who is working to get everything back to normal and our students, teachers, and staff who are making the best of it.  I know that she is guiding and protecting us.

Holy Mary Mother of God…pray for us!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Aaron Laskiewicz, Pastor

 

January 19, 2024

Dear Friends,

Praised be Jesus Christ!

With the recent storm, our parish and school campus lost power and heat for approximately 34 hours.  Our heating system employs radiator, hot water, boilers and pumps all of which require electricity to move and circulate so when electricity fails parts of the building lose heat and externally placed pipes freeze and burst.

As the storm progressed and power remained off, we took steps to mitigate further damage. We drained the entire system and prevented water damage to all but one of the classrooms, and that room's damage was mild enough to allow us to occupy it again the next day. However, damage to the heating system itself was extensive.  We lost a total of 15 heating units with the damage being concentrated in the parts of the campus where heating units are located on outside walls as is the case in every classroom. So, we lost a total of 14 heaters in classrooms; four dispersed around the primary wing and all ten classroom heating units in the 3rd-through-8th grade wing were destroyed. The 15th unit was the primary heat exchanger for the church and cafeteria, where back up coils are maintaining our heat.

A disaster plan was formulated by the school staff and ten classrooms have been relocated out of the intermediate / middle school wing (grades 3 through 8). Six of the classes have moved to the third floor, two were relocated to rooms which still have heat on the first floor and the remaining two classes are working out of the cafeteria with lunch time being spent in the Gathering Space and Marian Room. As you can imagine this is very disruptive, but learning continues because of our amazing staff and students.

Currently, all access to the 3rd-through-8th grade wing and the garage under that wing is suspended. The third floor, and especially Room 312 is converted to temporary classrooms so no meetings can be scheduled on the third floor until the students return to their classrooms. For security reasons, the Gathering Space and Church are closed to the public while classes are taking place during these times: 

 Monday: 11:30-1:00pm (Adoration will not be affected)

Tuesday: No restrictions - no classes will be held in either space on Tuesdays

Wednesday-Friday: 11:30-2:30pm

We ask your continued patience as meetings, evening events, and weekend programs are impacted by the reallocation of use of space within the building. We also ask that parishioners and volunteers with keys to the building comply with the various signs and caution tape around the building. For your safety and the success of our recovery, please do not cross yellow caution tape and do not ignore the "Do Not Enter" signs on the closed parts of the building.  

While this is a costly event, the Parish and School are insured and we will recover. The outpouring of supportive comments and offers to assist have been greatly appreciated.   

Most importantly, I would like to say how proud I am of our entire staff and faculty. From the time the power went out on Friday evening our maintenance, parish, and school staff have worked extremely hard to minimize damage and find solutions. As my father wisely often says, “find a reason to get it done, not a reason you can’t.” The parish and school are supporting each other sharing space effectively and generously. Of course, we are balancing all the needs of our parish and school, particularly funerals when using the various spaces.

We will get through this and my confidence is founded in God’s providence and the tremendous people of our parish and school family. We will continue to invoke the Holy Spirit for the gifts of wisdom, courage, and fortitude as together we navigate this situation.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Aaron R. Laskiewicz, Pastor