Dear Parishioners,

Our Accessibility project is finally beginning! When I arrived almost two years ago, the number one concern at the "Listening Sessions" was the difficulty in getting in and out of church because of narrow sidewalks, the large, heavy doors, and cobblestones that were difficult to walk on with canes, walkers, or even high heels ― not to mention trying to wheel a casket across it for a funeral. I am pleased to announce that construction will begin in the coming weeks on all of these projects.

Curbing in front of the drop-off will be changed to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and ease of access. We will add a sidewalk down the lawn towards the parking lot on the church side for easier access for handicapped parking. The cobblestones in front of the church will be taken up and replaced with smooth asphalt. This is the most economical and attractive surface to put in. Originally it will be black but, when cured, it will be colored to add to its richness. We will install a cement pad for a statue of the Sacred Heart that the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart are donating to us as they leave their Mission Helper Center. We will expand the sidewalk on the school side so that people can use wheelchairs and walkers all of the way to the door (presently the wide sidewalk ends and you wind up on the lawn!). An automatic door opener will be added to the doorway by the Mother Seton Room, and hand rails will be added along the hallway for those who need help with their stability. All of this is coming from our "Giving Tuesday" collection (which was December 1, 2020). We also applied for a grant from the Knott Foundation, and I am thrilled to remind you that we were approved for the grant! I am grateful to a committee of concerned parishioners who came together with these projects and the awareness of where we were falling short.

We believe that only daily Mass will be affected during the week of June 28th, but the contractor is trying to accomplish all of the work in front of the Main Church during the week so that we can use the plaza to access the Historic Church and the Main Church. Thank you for your generosity, your patience, and your concern for those with accessibility issues. I am very happy that we can assist our parishioners who want to be here but have found it difficult in the past.

~ Fr. Jerry Francik