• The Finance Council has had concerns about the physical structure of the rectory for the past 10 years and has been discussing the best solution for addressing it. Problems with the rectory roof date back to when Fr. Leo was assigned to St. Anthony Parish.  Taking care of those issues were continually pushed to the back burner as other projects took priority.  The roof continues to be patched regularly but the water damage in the house has become significant. For a more detailed description of the issues with the rectory, please refer to “Why can’t we just renovate the existing rectory?”
• In the past, we have been reactive as issues come up. We want to change that and be proactive. Planning ahead will allow us to be better prepared financially for the future rather than continually responding to a crisis or problem.
• We have devoted the past several years developing a 5-8 year proactive plan for major projects in maintenance and technology. The projects listed are for upkeep of existing systems. A couple of key items like the high school HVAC and the phone system are significantly dated and will require our attention in the next few years. 
• The Finance Council recommended the formation of a steering committee to further study the physical structure of the rectory.  This group has been meeting for the past 1.5 years and has helped us devise a plan for the rectory in addition to a proactive plan for maintenance and technology projects. See below for a list of steering committee members. 

• Gifts to the $1.4 million Living Stones Campaign will provide $600,000 to demolish the existing rectory, remove asbestos and construct a new 3,536 square foot rectory with an additional $50,000 in funds to provide furnishings and home décor.  The remaining $720,000 will support building and maintenance ($530,760) and technology ($189,228) projects for the St. Anthony of Padua Parish and schools.
• We ask each Parish family to become a Living Stone and help us reach our $1.4 million goal.  Equal sacrifice by every parishioner will help us provide a home for St. Anthony priests and implement a proactive plan rather than reacting to a problem or need such as Building and Maintenance and Technology projects. Your support will ensure the future of our Parish for our children and grandchildren.

• While driving by the rectory, you might think that the 66 year old rectory looks like it has aged well. Unlike the church and schools, few St. Anthony parishioners have recently visited the rectory and witnessed first-hand the damage that is slowly eroding the beauty and structure of our priests’ home. For the past two decades, we have placed the needs of the rectory behind the needs of our church and schools. As parishioners, it is time for us to address the years of neglect.
• The Steering Committee has spent the past 1.5 years comparing costs and the pros and cons of renovating vs. building a new rectory. In order to properly renovate, it will mean, basically, gutting the entire rectory to replace outdated and below today’s standard electrical wiring and worn-out plumbing, and putting a new roof on the rectory and garage.  Additionally, the basement’s low ceilings would turn the basement into more of a crawl space once new HVAC duct work is installed. Even more so, the expenses as well as the limited space to make the second floor accessible would be costly.
• There are numerous water leaks from a roof that needs replaced; old single-paned windows that are drafty and leaking; and old plumbing that continuously needs repaired. These issues are causing ongoing water damage, including possible hidden mold and poor living conditions.  Evidence of the water damage, mainly from the leaking roof and windows, can be seen throughout the house on walls, leaking ceiling air vents, caved-in and falling ceilings, rotting baseboards, door frames and cupboards, falling ceiling and wall tiles, and more. Leaking pipes caused so much damage that several walls had to be re-plastered.
• In addition to water damage, the central air conditioning is inefficient and unable to keep upstairs bedrooms cooled, requiring window units in some rooms. The original wiring is old and has become frail. Poor insulation in different areas of the rectory makes it difficult to keep certain rooms warm during the winter. The interior of the rectory needs attention and most of the furniture and home décor are showing signs of its age after more than 30 years of use.
• Evidence of water damage from the basement flooding can be seen throughout the basement including water-damaged asbestos tile in the room used for our Sunday collection counters to count money.  Other problems are not quite as noticeable. For example, when the old pipes in the basement are not used frequently, the water becomes rusty. The low ceilings make it difficult to update vents and allow sufficient headroom for the basement to be used.

• The rectory is not only a home for our priests but also accommodates visiting family members of priests, visiting priests and other dignitaries. Priests enjoy sharing meals and fellowship with other priests and parishioners, just like you, which is possible in the main living and dining areas of the rectory.  Their own personal suite allows for privacy as well as a place for personal prayer.
• The cost of the construction includes demolition of the existing rectory, asbestos abatement (safely removing asbestos), and new furnishing and home décor.  In designing the rectory, careful consideration was given to ensure the rectory was accessible and that the design worked well with the existing buildings on the St. Anthony campus. Retrofitting and redesigning the existing breezeway to meet ADA standards, offering a separate entrance to the counting room, replacing the roof on the existing garage, and adding a screened-in patio contribute to the cost of the rectory. 

• With a project of this size, the Diocese requires us to have an architect sign off on the work. An architect takes the liability for his/her design and calculations. A home builder does not have that type of design feature; though some commercial builders do. For the rectory, we need to be careful around the foundation of the church with respect to the demolition of the existing rectory and with the installation of the new basement. In addition, the slope build up system for the roof over the garage and tying the roof and breezeway into the church requires an engineer or architect’s drawings and knowledge in design.

Church Rectory Floor Plans

• The design of the new rectory will complement our St. Anthony Church and Parish Center and will provide a comfortable but not extravagant, accessible, and safe home for our priests. The 2,875 square foot residential section of the rectory will host two suites comprised of a bedroom, private bath and a small living area giving each priest some private living space. It also includes a large living room, dining room, kitchen with a walk-in pantry, and laundry room. A screened-in patio would be accessible from the dining room. Two guest rooms with baths bordering the living room could be used as an additional suite, if needed.
• An additional 661 square foot of space allows for a private entrance to the kitchen and laundry area for workers to enter without disrupting priests. A counting room with access to a half bathroom will be located outside the green room of the church, off the corridor, making it more convenient for individuals to leave from the church.  The 3,793 square foot basement will provide much needed storage space for the Arts in Environment’s seasonal decorations as well as a storage area for the grade school and other maintenance needs. 

Buildings & Maintenance

Project                                                      Timeframe                                  Estimate

HVAC High School                                  2018-2022                                     $159,000

The HVAC system in the classroom portion of the high school was installed in the early 1990’s.  The system is pushing 25-30 years old, and we anticipate the need to replace soon.  Mechanical and electrical engineers are in the process of reviewing our current HVAC system to determine the most reliable and cost efficient system that meets the needs of the school.

HVAC Church                                          2018-2022

NE Corner Crawlspace                                                                                   $  18,500

Choir Loft                                                                                                       $  32,500

Replace 13’ wall for choir loft HVAC                                                            $    9,000

The HVAC system for the church is located in 3 areas of the church.  The first system is located under the rectory garage and services the west section of church.  This system was replaced in 2015.  The second system is located in the crawlspace on the northeast corner of church and services the east section of church.  This system is around 25 years old.  The third system is located on the back wall of the choir loft.  One unit in this area services the back section of church and the other unit services the choir loft.  These systems are around 25 years old.  When it is time to replace the units in the choir loft, the wall enclosing the HVAC units will need to be removed and then replaced once the new units are installed.

High School Windows                              2018-2019                                     $  10,000

The current caulking around the windows in the classroom wing of the high school is dried and cracking; worn out.  New caulking needs to be added.

Asphalt Parking Lots                                2019                                              $  26,760

Asphalt parking lots should  be resealed and restriped every 3 to 5 years.  We have asphalt lots in the main parking lot of the church/parish center, in both lots at the high school, and in the teachers’ lot at the grade school.  The last reseal & restripe was completed in 2014.

High School Bathroom Remodel (4)         2020-2022                                     $140,000

There are 2 sets of bathrooms located in the classroom wing of the high school, mens’ and ladies’ bathrooms on the middle floor and top floor.  The finish/décor has not been updated since the school was built in 1965, more than 50 years ago.  The bathrooms are in need of refurbishing. 

High School Flat Roof                              2021-2022                                     $  25,000

The classroom wing of the high school has a flat roof which was installed in 1991.  The membrane is starting to pull away from the building/walls.  To prevent leaking and water damage, the roof should be replaced within the next few years.

Parish Center roof                                     2025                                              $110,000

The St. Anthony Parish Center was built in 2000 and the original, shingle roof is still in place.  We anticipate replacement of this roof within the next 8-10 years. 

Total Buildings & Maintenance                                                                $530,760

Technology

Project                                                      Timeframe                                  Estimate

Campus-wide VOIP phone upgrade         2018                                              $  57,000

The current phone system in the parish center and the schools was installed in the 1980’s, making it more than 30 years old.  Upgrading the phone system will make our campus more efficient, allowing one building to call another without using an outside line plus offering our teachers individual voicemail boxes, among many other features.

Teacher Macbook upgrades at High School

                                                                  2018                                              $  27,500

Teachers were provided Macbooks in 2013 for classroom instruction, replacing desktop computers.  Devices will be ready for upgrade in 2018.

Teacher iPad upgrades at High School

                                                                  2018                                              $    9,328

Teachers were provided iPads in 2013 to supplement classroom instruction and to support our students’ 1:1 learning environment.  The iPads will be ready for upgrade in 2018.

Support Staff Computers at High School

                                                                  2018                                              $    3,500

The support staff for the high school, which mainly includes the office staff, received desktop computers in 2012.  They will be due for upgrade in 2018.

Projectors and Apple TVs at High School

                                                                  2018-2019                                     $  13,200

Classroom projectors and Apple TV’s will be upgraded to support the upgrade of teacher Macbooks and iPads.  The projectors were installed in 2012 while the Apple TV’s were installed in 2013.  An Apple TV is a remote/black box that connects a Macbook or Ipad to the projector.

Projectors, Apple TVs at Grade School  

                                                                  2019                                              $  25,500

Classroom projectors and Apple TV’s will be upgraded to support the use of teacher Macbooks and iPads.  The projectors were installed in 2008 while the Apple TV’s were installed in 2014.  An Apple TV is a remote/black box that connects a Macbook or Ipad to the projector.

Network Servers                                       2019                                              $  10,000

Network servers were last upgraded in 2014 and will be due for upgrade in 2019.  The network servers manage traffic and activity of all faculty, staff, and students on our campus in addition to running software applications and storing data for all users.

Computer Lab at Grade School                2019                                              $  15,000

The computer lab in the grade school is used for class instruction at all grade levels.  The current desktop computers were installed in 2014 and will be ready for upgrade in 2019.

Staff Computers at Parish Center             2019                                              $    9,500

The staff in the parish office received desktop computers in 2014.  They will be due for upgrade in 2019.

Teacher Computers at Grade School        2020                                              $  13,200

Teachers were provided desktop computers in 2015 for classroom instruction and will be ready for upgrade in 2020.

Support Staff Computers at Grade School

                                                                  2020                                              $    5,500

The support staff for the grade school, which mainly includes the office staff, received desktop computers in 2015.  They will be due for upgrade in 2020.

Total Technology                                                                                         $189,228

• Our short term obligation is to successfully meet our $1.4 million goal of this campaign to take care of the housing needs of our priests and to prepare for the maintenance and technology projects listed.  Deferring maintenance or technology will end up being more costly down the road.
• Our long term obligation is to be good stewards of all that God has given us through the generosity of our parishioners.  We have an annual budget of more than $4.5 million and over $30 million in buildings on campus.  It takes a lot to maintain a campus this size and annual maintenance and upkeep is necessary.  If Sunday contributions and other contributions do not cover our annual budget, we will continue to conduct capital periodic campaigns to maintain the properties that we have.
• Eliminating the deficit while not accruing any debt in addition to addressing the space needs in the grade school with our increased enrollment are some of our long term goals to be addressed in the future.  

• At this time, there are no other major fundraising projects planned. We hope to have covered the major projects for the next 5-8 years through this campaign.  We will continue to cover regular maintenance needs through our annual budget.
• We are not planning any other capital campaigns. 

• Unfortunately, when we began making repairs to the church and steeple, additional damage not included in the original plan was uncovered which required the funds earmarked for the rectory to be spent. Once again, a more urgent need of the parish was placed ahead of the rectory.

• The cost of constructing a new rectory will continue to rise, ending up costing the parish even more money. More importantly, we are asking our priests to continue to live in poor living conditions that we, ourselves, would not subject ourselves or other family members to live in. 

• Construction could begin as early as spring or summer 2018, if we have received $425,000 or 65 percent of the $650,000 earmarked for the asbestos abatement, demolition and construction, as prescribed by the Diocese of Springfield.

• Plans are to go out for sealed competitive bids in January, once the project has been approved by the Diocese in Springfield.

• The best way to contribute to this project is first by prayer.  Please pray for guidance, for the safety of our workers, for the success of the Living Stones Campaign and for the construction.
• You can also contribute monetarily through gifts of cash, appreciated stock, estate gifts, in kind donations or company matching programs. Parish staff will assist you to ensure that your gift receives the most favorable tax treatment.

• You will be asked from the pulpit but we will not share your level of commitment publicly. Your commitment is confidential.

• You may complete a commitment card and make your gift at the time of your pledge, or you may pledge your commitment and make your gift at a time that is best for you and your family. Commitment cards are available in the parish office.

• Yes, by all means if this suits your situation better.

• Yes, whatever is best for you and your family.

• We are asking that your commitment be made by February 1, 2018, which will allow the construction and our maintenance and technology projects to begin in 2018.
• Your commitment may extend over three years or you may make a one-time gift, at which time your commitment will be completed.

• You may make your gift immediately, or you may pledge your gift over a three-year period.

• We hope not! We are asking that your three-year gift be over and above your regular giving.  We do not want to undermine our present ministries with reduced giving.  As a matter of fact, our regular giving will need to increase as ministries increase.

• The answer is between you and God.
• Proverb 3:9 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all you produce.”  Indeed, the first fruits are not the left-overs.  Giving of our “first fruits” is an expression of gratitude to God for all He has given for our use.  Just as we cheerfully present a gift or ‘thank you’ card to someone who has been kind to us, so to it is with our gift of the first fruits, an acknowledgement of God’s kindness.   
• In Matthew 13:43, Jesus says, “Whoever has ears ought to listen.”  Jesus also said “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”  Our hearts belong to God. If that is so, and we have a conversation with God, we need only listen attentively, and we will then discern what the amount of our gift should be.

•  An Enrollment Task Force has been meeting to address our growing enrollments, especially at the grade school. 
• While we do not yet have any clear solutions, our goal is to avoid a wait list and not restrict enrollment.

• The money for these projects will be earmarked in what we call restricted funds which means it can only be used for the projects listed.

• 100 percent of your gift will remain in the St. Anthony Church’s Living Stones Fund. All donations for these construction, technology and maintenance projects remain at St. Anthony.
• A percentage of your Sunday giving does go to the Diocese of Springfield to help support the Diocese, which is the premise of the Annual Catholic Services Appeal (ACSA).