Diary of a Parish Priest

Lift High The Cross Memorial Wall Is Complete

After many years and much sacrifice on the part of our donors, the listing of our generous supporters on the Lift High the Cross Memorial Wall is complete. Our beautiful memorial was designed and installed by Renovata Studios, who patiently and carefully removed and re-installed the marble panels through several phases of engraving as our donors completed their pledges.

The Lift High the Cross campaign was begun to supplement the fundraising of the partially completed original capital campaign when the school construction plan was upgraded and the church design was deferred for further study. The original construction budget became sorely inadequate to meet our needs. Two additional campaigns were planned, one (Lift High the Cross) during the immediate construction of the school and anotherfor the church, eventually named A Time to Build, after the church design was studied, discussed and revised.

Many generous donors stepped forward with pledges of capital and of faith in the project plans, both of which are gratefully appreciated. After tougher economic times than we would have hoped, most of the pledges were fulfilled and we can now happily complete the Donor Wall with many thanks to all our generous benefactors.

We are now in the final pledge period of the Church campaign, A Time to Build and look forward to the exciting new developments as our parish church receives a facelift and expansion.

Lift High the Cross

 Founder Blair & Elizabeth O’Connor• Founder Burgess Family• Founder David & Susan Dowden• Founder Dino & Katherine Cesario• Founder Edward & Maureen Shea• Founder Geoffrey S. Winchell• Founder Gregory S. Winchell• Founder John & Marybeth Wilson• Founder John & Maureen MacDonald• Founder Joseph & Barrie Fahey• Founder Martin & Deborah McCann• Founder Megan W. Peter• Founder Michael & Catherine Sullivan• Founder Sheila Martello• Founder The Forlenza Family• Founder The Giannotto Family• Founder The Sullivan Grandchildren• Founder The Tort Family• Benefactor Brian & Leslie Curran and Family• Benefactor Douglas & Margaret Simons• Benefactor Frank & Jeanne Shanley• Benefactor James & Thomas Martello and Nicholas Preston• Benefactor Jimmy Martello Foundation• Benefactor Joseph & Beth Koerwer• Benefactor Justin & Victoria Gmelich• Benefactor Lillian B. Farrington• Benefactor Michael & Carole Brown• Benefactor Michael & Martina Scarrone• Benefactor Richard & Maria Incremona• Benefactor Stuart & Patricia MacGregor• Benefactor The Dengler Family• Benefactor The Finan Family• Patron Christopher & Clare Broderick• Patron Claire & O'Neill Duffy• Patron Daniel & Kathryn Rusbarsky• Patron David & Janice Henderson• Patron Donald & Florence Macdonald• Patron Ed & Joanne Gillespie• Patron Gsell Family• Patron Guy & Catherine Farrington• Patron Kathryn & J. Howard Carter• Patron Kevin & Maureen Conery• Patron Mark & Colleen Newsome• Patron Marshall & Maryann Allegra• Patron Matthew & Carolyn Geiger• Patron Maxim Group• Patron Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Palmeri, Jr. & Family• Patron Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Avallone• Patron Nevin & Jacqueline Whitelaw• Patron Nicole & Eugene Croddick II & Family• Patron Patrick & Lisette Lynch• Patron Peter & Pia McCarthy• Patron Ray & Dennice Carey• Patron Richard Wurth• Patron Roger & Arlene Stump• Patron Ronald & Lynn Worobel• Patron Starker Family Foundation• Patron Stephen & Patricia Brennan• Patron The Clifford Family• Patron The Goullet Family• Patron The Hubler Family• Patron The McDaid Family• Patron The O’Mara Family• Patron Thomas & Christina Durney• Patron William & Patricia Lista• Steward Maureen Devine In Memory of William and Mary Supina• Steward Alvaro & Beryl Vallejo• Steward Anthony & Lorrie Manzo• Steward Anthony & Vera Gangemi• Steward Bernard & MaryEllen Maas• Steward Bernard & Maureen Hackett• Steward Brendan Flynn• Steward Brian & Jessica Hickey• Steward Bruce & Tania Eagleson• Steward Carol & Robert X. Kelleher, Sr.• Steward Catherine Miller• Steward Charles & Ann Marie Shay• Steward Charles & Marjorie Schulz• Steward Christina D’Angelo• Steward Christine Hetzler• Steward Christopher & Deirdre York• Steward Christopher & Elizabeth Hempstead• Steward Christopher & Geraldine Donnelly• Steward Daniel & Lisa Walsh• Steward Daniel & Tara Jones• Steward Danielle & Greg Greene and Family• Steward David & Annamarie (Nonnie) Godvin• Steward David & Barbara Kirkpatrick• Steward Dominick & Marianne Grosso• Steward Dr. & Mrs. Robert J. Doty• Steward Dr. & Mrs. William Wood• Steward Ed & Joan Truscio• Steward Eleanor Milazzo• Steward Eugenia McA. Kelly• Steward Fr. Michael Manning• Steward Gabriellan & Joe Sheridan• Steward Gary Sammon• Steward George & Sallie Kabash• Steward George E. Miles• Steward Gerald Manning• Steward Gerard & Shannon Kowalski• Steward Henry & Deborah Sullivan• Steward In Loving Memory of Joseph A. McAvoy• Steward In Memory of John Banich & John G. Banich• Steward James & Eileen Zazzali• Steward James & Elaine Hinckley• Steward Jay & Anne Harbeck• Steward Jeffrey & Bonnie Buchner• Steward Jerome & Rosemary Bell• Steward Jim & Dory Reagan• Steward JoAnn Brosious• Steward Joe & Darrah Kenney and Family• Steward John & Alice Trelease• Steward John & Charissa Keavey• Steward John & Estee Keefe• Steward John & Jeraldine Keefe• Steward John & Maria Checton• Steward John & Suzanne Gavin• Steward Joseph & Eileen Kenney• Steward Joseph & Katie Cabrera• Steward Joseph & Margot O’Connor• Steward Joseph & Michele Thompson• Steward Joseph & Robin Hemphill• Steward Joseph P. Burns• Steward Keith & Meghan Connolly• Steward Kenneth & Elaine Young• Steward Kenneth & Lisa Wilson• Steward Laurence & Kathleen Morris• Steward Lawrence & Anne Lapham• Steward Lawrence & Lynn Gonnello• Steward Leonard & Lauren Huttner• Steward Leslie & Martin J. Luff III• Steward Lori & Paul La Plante• Steward Louise Golda• Steward Margaret Quirk• Steward Mark & Susan Malone• Steward Mary Kay Mason• Steward Matthew & Diana Milkowski• Steward Matthew & Laurie Ruane• Steward Matthew & Susan Stypa• Steward Matthew & Tara Butler• Steward Matthew Izzo & Claire Harbeck• Steward Maureen Mulheren• Steward Michael & Georgina Masterson• Steward Michael & Karen Murphy• Steward Michael & Maryalice Pane• Steward Michael & Shanley Walker• Steward Michael Goliszeski• Steward Michael J. McCabe• Steward Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Scheffer• Steward Mr. & Mrs. Carl Amendola• Steward Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Cornette & Family• Steward Mr. & Mrs. Thomas R. Makin• Steward Mr. & Mrs. William H. Cook• Steward Mr. and Mrs. Mark F. Hughes, Jr.• Steward Mrs. Mary M. Ryan• Steward Neri & Ada Merlini• Steward Nicholas A. & Diana S. Caliendo• Steward Olivia, Danielle & Carl Ward• Steward Patrick & Celine Mason• Steward Patrick & Ethel Moran• Steward Paul & Kim Chachko & Family• Steward Paul & Kim Clauss• Steward Paul & Melissa Ryan• Steward Paul, Maria and Emily Oberlander• Steward Peg McNulty• Steward Peter & Anafu Kaiser• Steward Peter & Delly Beekman• Steward Ralf & Margaret Sellig• Steward Richard & Patricia Lawrence• Steward Robert & Janet McGuire• Steward Robert & Regina Pohlman• Steward Robert & Susan Sorokolit• Steward Robert Rosean & Nancy Reinhold• Steward Sacka & Jim Duffy• Steward Sansone Memorial Fund• Steward Sidney & Nora Goldschlager• Steward Stephen & Regina de Gersdorff• Steward Stephen G. & Margaret Ann Chappell• Steward Sybil & David Heine and Family• Steward Terence & Adriana Kenny• Steward Terence & Mary Sheridan• Steward The Farina Family• Steward The Lemoine Family• Steward The Mac Gillis Family• Steward The McGinty Family• Steward The Passalaqua Family• Steward The Piccolo Family• Steward The Pindar Family• Steward The Raymond Family• Steward The Smyth Family• Steward The Sullivan Family• Steward The Velcamp Family• Steward The Wingertzahn Family• Steward The Wright Family• Steward The Wutt Family• Steward Thomas & Abby OMalley• Steward Thomas & Christine Huthwaite• Steward Thomas & Gemma Nastasi• Steward Thomas & Pat Flynn• Steward Thomas & Robin Sampson• Steward Thomas & Simone Cooney• Steward Thomas & Yvette Bonfiglio• Steward Timothy & Jane Orr• Steward Todd & Elaine Dixon• Steward Tony & Helen Solomine• Steward Vincent & Maggie Annarella• Steward W. Dean and Courtney Adams• Steward William & Cindy Gangemi• Steward William & Colleen Rempel• Steward William & Julie Gettings• Steward William & Marion Riordan• Steward William & Nancy Loughran• Steward William & Patricia Alcaro

 

Construction Documents for the Bishop's Signature

A few documents related to the new construction are being finalized and will be sent to Trenton for Bishop O'Connell's approval.

• The architect's final contract
• A sight triangle easement required by the Borough for the handicapped access sign for the driveway into the handicapped accessible parking lot
• The construction bridge loan agreement
• The performance bond required by the Borough

Interviews with Construction Managers and preliminary bid proposals are schedule for the first week in June. The schedule for groundbreaking is under discussion. When we have the commitment in writing, we'll let everyone know!

 

 

Additional Schematic Diagrams for Renovated Church

The Church Plan Photo Album is back online. Check the photos of the plans and the new schematics.

 

Main Floor Plan of Holy Cross Church

This view shows the arrangement of pews and the main configuration of the ground level. 

 

 

Lower Level: Meeting Room, Rest Rooms, Mechanical/Electrical and Storage

 

 

Upper levels showing Choir Loft and the upper Sacristy Storage Space

 

 

A cross section of the renovated Church.

 

Measure Twice, Cut Once

Yesterday, our architect's assistant visited from Washington, DC to take several more specific measurements of the present church building. It involved lots of climbing, many ladders and at least one adventure into the bell tower. Very specific measurements of the windows, especially our "True Cross" Window were verified. 

Bishop O'Connell has kindly approved some necessary structural modifications to the design, and we are still on schedule for Construction Manager interviews in June. Our required construction performance bond was recently approved; attorneys are working out resolving the differences between those items still held under the Phase One performance bond (e.g. some additional landscaping) and the new Phase Two bond to determine the exact items and their estimated cost.

 

 

 

Church Renovation and Expansion Project Update

• Drilling for soil samples on construction site completed
• Requests for Qualification (RFQ) received from four contractors; over the next week, three will be chosen for continued consideration
• Architect in design development phase of project; mechanical and electrical engineers will begin working with drawings next week
• Capital Campaign nears its goal. Our second Commitment Weekend begins tomorrow at all the masses.
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Parishioner Speakers at Masses This Weekend for "Time To Build" Campaign

Holy Cross parishioners who have not only been volunteering for the "Time To Build" Campaign but who have also made generous financial donations of their own will be speaking at all the masses this weekend to inaugurate the final weeks of the campaign.

 

 

 

 

Sunday at Seven

Please join us for an informative and spiritually uplifiting talk about how properly designed church architecture helps us pray and experience the grace of God.

Denis McNamara, PhD will speak at Holy Cross Church on Sunday, March 4th at 7 PM in the church. The subject of his talk will be "Shadow, Image and Reality: Church Architecture As Sacrament of Heaven." Denis will be working with our architect, James McCrery to ensure that our church expansion is architecturally, theologically and liturgically beautiful.

We will have a limited number of copies of Dr. McNamara's book, "How to Read A Church" on hand.

Architect and Engineer at Holy Cross This Week

Fresh on the heels of the recommendation of Rumson's special board to approve the amendment to our site plan, our architect James McCrery and an engineer will visit Holy Cross this week to conduct precise measurements and assess the church and the site. 

In the coming weeks, the schematic diagrams you have seen at our masses and available on the webpage will be developed in more detail sufficient to enable contractors to estimate the total cost of the project and its particular components. 

Church Project Timeline 2004 until Present

 

It's interesting and instructive to review the many and sometimes difficult steps which were taken to get us to the threshold of the construction of our church expansion/renovation project. Many of you are familiar with series of events prior to 2004 which resulted in the out-of-court settlement and continuing resolution. This timeline highlights the events from 2004 onward.

Holy Cross Rumson– Church Construction Timeline

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April 20, 2004	Parish receives approval for the church and school renovation and expansion project from the Borough of Rumson; continuing resolution including deed restriction agreed to
November 3, 2004	Fr. Michael Manning assumes pastorate of Holy Cross; contract with EPIC construction on bishop’s desk for signature
November 21, 2004	Financial integrity of building fund assessed; plans for school revised to include technology, media room, new library, enhanced gym; Epic Construction maximal bid contract approved
November 28, 2004	Project approved by Bishop Smith this past week; parishioners updated; Phase 1 of the project to be the school construction. Phase 2 the church. Both school and church plans will need revision – the school immediately before construction begins, the church in the coming years
December 24, 2004	Epic Construction hired to provide Construction Manager as Constructor services including acceptable Guaranteed Maximum Price Budget
January 23, 2005	Liturgical Art and Environment Committee established to work on the church interior design;  will begin with liturgical catechesis
March 20-June 12, 2005	liturgical catechesis of parish begins; bulletin inserts and homilies
May 5, 2005	Ceremonial groundbreaking for school addition; resolute determination to complete construction permit application and comply with articles in continuing resolution
May 23, 2005	Building and Planning Committee composed of previous and new members has  meeting; will be involved with construction and fundraising
June 14, 2005	Liturgical Art and Environment Committee has first meeting; presentation on the building plans given; upcoming meetings feature prospective liturgical consultants; some committee  members visit churches, liturgical suppliers and attend lectures.
July 25, 2005	Pastor presents parish needs for church project to diocese; deed consolidation and restriction signed by Bishop and pastor as part of building permit application
Week of August 8, 2005	Our Lady of Grace statue installed on top of carriage house; crowned and blessed August 14
Week of September12, 2005	Epic Construction’s Guaranteed Maximal Price deemed too high by parish; school project put out to open bid.
November 1, 2005	Final bids on school project
December 9, 2005	Project awarded to Charles B. Hembling & Son Construction
January 6, 2006	Construction permit granted
January 15, 2006	Last events in old gym
February 3, 2006	Demolition of old gym begins
June 16, 2006	Decision to conduct (3 year) capital campaign as gymatorium project proceeds; Construction Open House; parish fundraising chairs present as plans for capital campaign are formed
July 17, 2006	Building inspection done on church
September 2006	School Project completion date pushed back to December
October 17, 2006	Lynch Development hired for Lift High the Cross campaign – planning and informal fundraising continue
November 1, 2006	Structural engineer inspects church
December 16, 2006	School project dedicated
January 2007	3year Lift High the Cross campaign begins officially; $3.1 million dollars pledged
April 25, 2007	Liturgical Art and Environment Committee meeting; with the school project complete, church design review, assessment, and planning intensifies
May 2, 2007	Open parish meeting; interactive selection of preferred church characteristics;Option of serving on liturgy and/or building committee
May  2007	Written survey to all parishioners asking for characteristics desired in the new church
July 7, 2007	Attorney John Brogan engaged to represent church before Rumson Zoning Board; parish seeking to revise the site plan to allow 25 additional parking spaces on western end of the property
July – December 2007	Diocesan Building Commission informed of progress
August 5, 2007	Report of church attribute study in bulletin
August, September, October 2007	Parking lot improvements, paving as part of school building project installed
Spring 2008	Application filed with Borough for revised site plan with additional parking spaces
September 21, 2008	Lift High the Cross Memorial Wall designed
September 22 & October 17, 2008	Two hearings with the Rumson Zoning Board of Adjustment on revised site plan
December 22, 2008	Online survey of church project opened
January 26, 2009	Church Building Committee meets; efficacy of existing design discussed
February 11, 18 and March 11, 2009	Presentations by  3 prospective project architects including James McCrery (Feb. 18)
April 26, 2009	Revision of church design announced;  card survey to be done for diocese
May 2009	107 responses to on line survey on interior of new worship space 300 endorsement cards; 70 volunteers for project CAFRA determination  on additional parking spaces; landscaping site plan
May 20, 2009	Church Building Committee assesses architect presentations, receives update and discusses next steps
June 14, 2009	Parish celebrates 125th anniversary; Lift High the Cross Memorial Wall blessed by Bishop Smith
June 2009	James McCrery chosen as project architect
June 29, 2009	Pastor makes presentation to Diocesan Building Committee; given approval to proceed with concept drawings
July 2009	Church inspection by architect and structural engineer
Mid July, 2009	Contractor opens areas of church walls, ceilings, and columns as specified by structural engineer and architect so integrity of building can be assessed
July –September, 2009	Those who have made Memorial Gifts receiving acknowledgements; parish making sure records are complete
August 5, 2009	Engineer’s report submitted with summary by architect; building is sound; results sent to diocese Church Building Committee meets; updates; discussion of architect’s ideas; subcommittees formed for certain liturgical appointments
August 19, 2009	Pastor starts construction blog to keep people informed
August 19, 2009	Borough has approved the revised site plan for the additional parking spaces, awaiting NJDEP; Rumson lets work proceed Ward Avenue wall complete; landscaping later when site plan complete Architect working on concept drawings for church
August 20 – September 4, 2009	Revised site plan work installed;  paving and 20+ additional parking spaces added to west side of property; curb work
September 9, 2009	Architect James McCrery brings first concept drawings of new church to parish
September 23, 2009	Online construction survey closed after over a year-125 responses
November 4, 2009	Architect presents concept drawings to Church Building Committee-received very favorably; posted on construction blog next day;
November 29, 2009 – May, 2011	Negotiations with Diocesan Building Commission
July 14, 2010	Church Building committee meets; updated on continuing negotiations with diocese
December 1, 2010	Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. succeeds Bishop John M. Smith and becomes the 10th Bishop of Trenton
May 23, 2011	Permission from Bishop O’Connell to proceed with church project
June 1, 2011	Church Building Committee meets
June 2011	Attorney Michael Bruno retained to present amended plan with new church design to Borough
June 2011	Committee formed to interview prospective fundraising companies
June 2011	Community Counseling Service (CCS) retained to conduct feasibility study for parish capital campaign A Time to Build
August 2011	Kennedy Engineering engaged as civil engineers for project; begin site plan work
August & September 2011	68 personal interviews conducted for feasibility and planning study
September 17-18, 2011	In-pew survey on the church project at all masses
October 13, 2011	CCS hired to conduct capital campaign
November 2011	Silent phase of capital campaign begins
November 30, 2011	Application for amended site plan with new church design filed with Borough of Rumson
December 12, January 23,and January 30, 2012	Borough of Rumson Special Zoning Board hears application
January 30, 2012	Application approved; resolution to be formalized March 5, 2012
February 11-12, 2012	Public phase of capital campaign announced
March 4, 2012	Liturgical Consultant for project, Denis McNamara, to make presentation to parish
October-November 2011	Anticipated groundbreaking
April-May 2014	Anticipated dedication

Holy Cross Church Basement

The newly constructed basement to the church will be located under the gathering space and narthex at the western end of the church. The crawl space refers to the existing area located under the present sacristy. There is elevator and exterior stair access to the basement rest room and meeting room facilities.

Bird's Eye View of Holy Cross Entry and Garden

I've highlighted a few areas on this plan to show the plan for the garden and entry. The existing church is highlighted in dark blue and the areas of new construction are yellow. The carriage house is highlighted in light blue.

You can see that the area behind the Carriage House, now a parking lot, will be converted into a plaza and entryway to the new southwest entrance to the church. The existing green space to the south and east of the church will be retained and improved.

Entry to the ground level and ramped church doors is by way of the handicapped accessible parking on the northside of the church. This parking court is accessible by the widened drive to the north side of the church which is for handicapped access only.

Three (3) additional handicapped spaces in the main south parking lot are adjacent to the gardens and outdoor hospitality areas.

The garden plan is easily changed and only preliminary, but shows a fountain in the central gathering space and an oval green space for a shrine just east of the fountain toward Ward Avenue.

The dual entry driveways on Ward Avenue in front of the Carriage House have been combined into one, with access to a drop-off zone, parking in front of the Carriage House and the main parking lot. No driveway exists around the church. The space for this driveway was dedicated to the vestibule and narthex of the church.

 A closer view of the Carriage House shows the portion of the Carriage House which is now a toolshed refurbished and dedicated to an area to serve as a center of outdoor hospitality. This can be planned for the future if funds do not permit its completion with the present project.

Bird's Eye Views of Holy Cross Building Plans

We've featured many of the exterior elevations of the new design for the Church on these blogs before, but not the newest floor plan which is below:

Several minor modifications have been made to this plan compared to those you might have seen at some of our meetings over the past several months.

The north transept was shortened slightly to allow for a wider driveway to the handicapped parking lot alongside the church. This required reconfiguration of the vestibule and elimination of one of the two upstairs bathrooms. No change in seating capacity resulted. The confessional on that side is retained.

An elevator was added for access to the basement meeting rooms and restrooms

 

Rumson Special Board Approves Holy Cross Church Renovation Plans

Let the joyful news go forth that Holy Cross Church's renovation/expansion plans have been unanimously approved (7-0) by the special board convened to hear the parish's application! This day has been anticipated and patiently worked toward by so many for nearly 7 years and is truly a testatment not only to their persistence but to the power of prayer. 

Some highlights of the new plan include:

the architecturally beautiful interior and exterior views by James McCrery already featured on both this blog and the construction blog.

preservation of our historic church's interior shell, its steeple and the present facade on Ward Avenue

continuity of the design and mood of our interior worship space with its past and present appearance

elimination of the parking lot behind the carriage house to make way for an entry garden and gathering plaza adjoining the south side of the church

a fountain / water feature in the outdoor gathering space and Marian prayer garden

preservation of the playground and parish playing field

restoration of the church's exterior appearance to its original cedar shingle and tile roof design

full handicapped accessible parking, entryways and rest rooms

several cry rooms for use by our most vocal and youthful worshippers

a basement meeting room for church groups and mourners after funeral masses if desired

fixed pew seating for nearly 650 parishioners facing East to the "rising of the Son"

cleaning and preservation of the Holy Cross "Discovery of the True Cross" stained glass window along with Sts. Alphonse Liguori and Anthony

installation of Sacred Heart and BVM windows from Holy Rosary Church

new choir loft and church organ

new altar, ambo (pulpit), lectern and baptismal font

specially comissioned reredos (wall painting behind the tabernacle and above the altar)

new Holy Rood cross

plans for renovation of the tool shed adjoining the Carriage House to service outdoor hospitality, heated walkways to the church to prevent snow and ice accumulation, geothermal powered cooling and heating and new shingles for the rectory to match the church will be studied and accomplished if finances permit.

Look for a public announcement of our "Time To Build" Captial Campaign in the next few weeks. The campaign has already been quietly underway as we make progress toward our goal of $4 million dollars. 

Projected ground breaking is October/November with an anticipated construction time of 18 months.

 

 

 

Interviews for Church Construction Planning Study

 
Jim Gallagher from CCS, the company managing our planning study for the church construction project, has settled in our parish offices and is already running a busy schedule of interviews. Jim will be on-site for the next three weeks.

Thanks to everyone for their anticipated cooperation with Jim as he helps us gather our resources and plan the steps necessary to make the dream of our long anticipated renovated church a reality. Beginning tomorrow evening, there will be a receptionist at the parish office during the evenings to help welcome those who are arrving for interviews and to answer phone calls and help with other aspects of the study.

CCS's study and report will estimate the amount of funds we can comfortably raise and help us plan the scope of the financing we will need for the project. Our fundraising requirements are modest and we hope that financing is not necessary, except for contingency and cash flow purposes. Final approval of the project is contingent upon 1) Bishop O'Connell's personal approval after reviewing the documents; 2) Borough of Rumson approval of our amended construction plan. We anticpate having the necessary documents to file for the Borough application by next month. The new topographic survey of the parish site will already be complete by the end of this week.

We have an excellent team of professionals helping us and, of course, we pray for God's continued guidance and providential care.

Thank you for your faithfulness and hope as we begin this new phase of our parish life!