FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE NEWS

April 27, 2007

Dear Parish Family Members,

     The Facilities Development Committee met on April 4 and April 25, 2007.  Again the meeting was preceded by prayer for discernment as to the best use of the school property and rectory that would be a blessing to us and our community.

     The overwhelming consensus is still to retain the first floor of the school for parish uses, such as, office facilities, meeting rooms, adult education, library, etc.  Also, we would retain the social hall/kitchen for Generations of Faith, IHN, Coffee Socials, Fair Trade Sales, Sacramental Preparation Programs, Wellness Ministry uses, Parish Social Events, etc.

     The school building will be rented this summer to "Village One Concepts" to house summer arts camp.  One classroom is currently being rented by a Mary Beth Rezek who is offering yoga class on Wednesday evenings 7:30-9:00 PM.  Look for the bulletin announcement and please attend if possible. If anyone has other suggestions, please call the rectory.

     Consensus for using the classroom space for purposes compatible with the mission of St. Louis Parish and to generate some modest income include:

        1) Operating a Christian Day Care and Pre-School focused on providing a

             developmental and nurturing program

              -It was determined that this is not feasible at this time due to:

                         -Start up costs around $40,000

                         -Licensure which takes 8-12 months

                         -Several applications already in progress in Cleveland Heights               

             *We are further investigating funding through the Catholic Action Commission

                by contacting Bob Begin, checking on the use of current licensure and checking if

               grants from places such as the Christ Child Society are available.

        2)  After visiting several Senior Housing establishments from both Catholic           

             Charities and Humility of Mary, Task Forces recommended utilizing the

              Humility of Mary Housing Inc.  Humility of Mary Inc. is being actively pursued to              do a feasibility study as soon as possible:

              - A combination of both HUD 202 and Tax Credit Financing (as planned

                at St. Martha's in Akron) seems like the best plan for using the upper portion of the

                school and adjacent property

              - We would request that the rectory retain priest quarters and offices but that                       separate apartments be made with the additional space and possible addition                          towards the back of the property (similar to that done at St. Timothy's)

                 -The rectory is in need of major repairs with a cost of approximately$70,000 for a

                  new roof, windows, foundation repair and mold removal

                -The building could possible be rented out to the Ursuline Sisters but would repairs         

                      need to be made?

                -Fr. Lenny could stay at a neighboring parish until rebuilding/remodeling is finished      

        Please pray for the Holy Spirit and St. Louis to guide us in pursuit of fully utilizing and developing our fullest potential as St. Louis Parish.

      The next meeting is set for Wednesday, June 13th at 6:30PM in the Social Hall.  All interested parishioners are invited to attend.

                                                                                Mary Schafrik, Communications Specialist