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| OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS PARISH |
| OUR BUILDING PROGRAM PLANS |
To address these needs we have an exciting plan. It calls for implementing a
phased master plan for a single, cohesive parish complex. The first phase
involves constructing an open-air Pavilion on our donated Peninsula property and
providing a suitable rectory with offices. The open-air Pavilion will serve as the
foundation and framework for what will one day become our new, church. In the
future, we will add other essential elements to this property as well. Phase one
also includes grading the new site, building access roads, and devising adequate
parking that takes into account the needs of differently abled persons. Phase one
also calls for temporary modular meeting space adjacent to the church in Chester
so ministries can be started, grow and flourish.
Immediate Plans
The Pavilion—the Start of our New Consolidated Church
A Community Central to All Catholics in the Almanor Basin
The new open-air Pavilion will become the focal point of the property and will
provide a retreat-style setting where we will hold Mass during summer months.
The open-air Pavilion will seat 250 people comfortably and will include the
foundation, structural supports, and roof elements of the future church. It will
also be a perfect location for multiple uses such as summer receptions, picnics,
Bible study meetings, family gatherings, and hopefully some new ministry
offerings such as youth activities and maybe even a vacation Bible class. More
importantly, using the new Pavilion and this donated land for church purposes will
eliminate the large tax assessment we pay currently on this property because it is
not being used for church purposes. This, in itself, will be a financial boost to our
parish family. The new Pavilion will be placed strategically to adapt to the needs
of the church community in the years ahead.
Eventually walls will be added for year-round use, and an additional overflow
capacity area could accommodate another 150 people. Our new church will have
state-of-the-art plumbing, fuel efficient heating, appropriate electricity, an
excellent sound system, and freedom from costly repairs due to outdated
technology. The church will create a much more intimate liturgical experience for
everyone, too. It will also help people to see and hear all aspects of the Mass
better and dramatically improve participation in our liturgies. And the new church
will be a retreat and a respite from the trials which inevitably touch modern lives.
The Rectory
Our plans also include a single structure which will be used both as the priest’s
living area and the offices of the parish. The offices will be separate rooms for
public parish purposes, such as holding finance council and other committee
meetings; preparing bulletins and parish mailings; handling secretarial tasks,
providing storage; and creating a welcoming reception area for those seeking
information about the sacraments and other parish services. One interim solution
we are considering is a modular home with five separate rooms that could be
reconfigured into a modest and separated living area for the priest, and then
appropriate offices, waiting area, records and supply storage, and conference and
meeting areas for many parish uses. This rectory could be placed on parish-
owned property in Chester adjacent to the church and could be sold later, when
we build the permanent rectory on the donated Peninsula site. The size and scope
of the rectory included in phase one is contingent on several factors, but we are
committed to providing a residence with appropriate heat, electricity and the
basic necessities we all consider essential.
Parking
Adequate, off-street parking is planned so that no one has to walk too far to get
into the Pavilion and eventually the church. Immediately we will create a paved
handicapped parking area near the Pavilion so that guests of all abilities will be
able to join us in scheduled events.
To do this we must first grade the land, arrange for any essential tree removal,
and prepare the site which is a 7-acre parcel of land generously donated by a
Catholic philanthropist. This property, which is a charitable gift that allows us to
build the facilities that we need with room for future expansion, is also well
situated for the broad geographic area that our parish serves.
Preparing the site and providing parking includes a gravel access road that will
have a base exactly the same as if it were to be paved, and will be able to carry
the weight needed for emergency access vehicles, with a turnaround radius large
enough for fire trucks and other vehicles. And for those who have trouble driving,
much less parking, carpools can be organized to help people attend Mass, and we
hope to grow the outreach of our parish so that more people can avail themselves
of the Sacraments.
Added Meeting Space
Our first phase also includes adding some temporary or permanent meeting space
and parish volunteer leaders are studying various options to accomplish this.
Rooms added will be used for new and growing parish ministries, including faith
formation classes for people of all ages, Sacramental preparation, and service-
oriented gatherings. We are looking at putting a temporary modular building on
property we own in Chester to meet our immediate needs.
Future Plans
Once we have the foundation for our new parish home in place, we will begin
adding to this newly formed foundation as funds become available.
Completing our Church, Multi-Use & Overflow Seating, Gathering &
Fellowship Space
We plan to enclose and finish our worship space, and to add a multi-use overflow
seating, as well as gathering and fellowship space to the back of the church.
The main worship area will seat 250 people with permanent pews arranged
around the altar, which will help people to see and hear the Mass better, and
encourage more engagement in our liturgies. A special choir area will also be
constructed on one side of the altar so that our song leaders can lead us in hymns
of praise.
At the back of the main nave will be a glass wall or retractable partition that will
open to a large multi-use space that will serve as a gathering and fellowship
space at times of the year when fewer people are here and overflow seating for
up to 150 people in the summer months and other, busier times of the year.
This eventually added space will also include:
• Handicapped accessible men’s and women’s restrooms;
• Adequate storage space;
• A small kitchen to prepare food and refreshments for after-Mass
fellowship and various meetings and events;
• An ample-sized meeting room for more private conferences;
• Offices, and a work and records room for our parish secretary and priest;
• A vesting and lay sacristy;
• A small reconciliation room; and
• A special day chapel that will seat up to 15 people, an ideal place for
private prayer, adoration and daily Mass so that we won’t have to spend
money heating or cooling the main church during the week.
phased master plan for a single, cohesive parish complex. The first phase
involves constructing an open-air Pavilion on our donated Peninsula property and
providing a suitable rectory with offices. The open-air Pavilion will serve as the
foundation and framework for what will one day become our new, church. In the
future, we will add other essential elements to this property as well. Phase one
also includes grading the new site, building access roads, and devising adequate
parking that takes into account the needs of differently abled persons. Phase one
also calls for temporary modular meeting space adjacent to the church in Chester
so ministries can be started, grow and flourish.
Immediate Plans
The Pavilion—the Start of our New Consolidated Church
A Community Central to All Catholics in the Almanor Basin
The new open-air Pavilion will become the focal point of the property and will
provide a retreat-style setting where we will hold Mass during summer months.
The open-air Pavilion will seat 250 people comfortably and will include the
foundation, structural supports, and roof elements of the future church. It will
also be a perfect location for multiple uses such as summer receptions, picnics,
Bible study meetings, family gatherings, and hopefully some new ministry
offerings such as youth activities and maybe even a vacation Bible class. More
importantly, using the new Pavilion and this donated land for church purposes will
eliminate the large tax assessment we pay currently on this property because it is
not being used for church purposes. This, in itself, will be a financial boost to our
parish family. The new Pavilion will be placed strategically to adapt to the needs
of the church community in the years ahead.
Eventually walls will be added for year-round use, and an additional overflow
capacity area could accommodate another 150 people. Our new church will have
state-of-the-art plumbing, fuel efficient heating, appropriate electricity, an
excellent sound system, and freedom from costly repairs due to outdated
technology. The church will create a much more intimate liturgical experience for
everyone, too. It will also help people to see and hear all aspects of the Mass
better and dramatically improve participation in our liturgies. And the new church
will be a retreat and a respite from the trials which inevitably touch modern lives.
The Rectory
Our plans also include a single structure which will be used both as the priest’s
living area and the offices of the parish. The offices will be separate rooms for
public parish purposes, such as holding finance council and other committee
meetings; preparing bulletins and parish mailings; handling secretarial tasks,
providing storage; and creating a welcoming reception area for those seeking
information about the sacraments and other parish services. One interim solution
we are considering is a modular home with five separate rooms that could be
reconfigured into a modest and separated living area for the priest, and then
appropriate offices, waiting area, records and supply storage, and conference and
meeting areas for many parish uses. This rectory could be placed on parish-
owned property in Chester adjacent to the church and could be sold later, when
we build the permanent rectory on the donated Peninsula site. The size and scope
of the rectory included in phase one is contingent on several factors, but we are
committed to providing a residence with appropriate heat, electricity and the
basic necessities we all consider essential.
Parking
Adequate, off-street parking is planned so that no one has to walk too far to get
into the Pavilion and eventually the church. Immediately we will create a paved
handicapped parking area near the Pavilion so that guests of all abilities will be
able to join us in scheduled events.
To do this we must first grade the land, arrange for any essential tree removal,
and prepare the site which is a 7-acre parcel of land generously donated by a
Catholic philanthropist. This property, which is a charitable gift that allows us to
build the facilities that we need with room for future expansion, is also well
situated for the broad geographic area that our parish serves.
Preparing the site and providing parking includes a gravel access road that will
have a base exactly the same as if it were to be paved, and will be able to carry
the weight needed for emergency access vehicles, with a turnaround radius large
enough for fire trucks and other vehicles. And for those who have trouble driving,
much less parking, carpools can be organized to help people attend Mass, and we
hope to grow the outreach of our parish so that more people can avail themselves
of the Sacraments.
Added Meeting Space
Our first phase also includes adding some temporary or permanent meeting space
and parish volunteer leaders are studying various options to accomplish this.
Rooms added will be used for new and growing parish ministries, including faith
formation classes for people of all ages, Sacramental preparation, and service-
oriented gatherings. We are looking at putting a temporary modular building on
property we own in Chester to meet our immediate needs.
Future Plans
Once we have the foundation for our new parish home in place, we will begin
adding to this newly formed foundation as funds become available.
Completing our Church, Multi-Use & Overflow Seating, Gathering &
Fellowship Space
We plan to enclose and finish our worship space, and to add a multi-use overflow
seating, as well as gathering and fellowship space to the back of the church.
The main worship area will seat 250 people with permanent pews arranged
around the altar, which will help people to see and hear the Mass better, and
encourage more engagement in our liturgies. A special choir area will also be
constructed on one side of the altar so that our song leaders can lead us in hymns
of praise.
At the back of the main nave will be a glass wall or retractable partition that will
open to a large multi-use space that will serve as a gathering and fellowship
space at times of the year when fewer people are here and overflow seating for
up to 150 people in the summer months and other, busier times of the year.
This eventually added space will also include:
• Handicapped accessible men’s and women’s restrooms;
• Adequate storage space;
• A small kitchen to prepare food and refreshments for after-Mass
fellowship and various meetings and events;
• An ample-sized meeting room for more private conferences;
• Offices, and a work and records room for our parish secretary and priest;
• A vesting and lay sacristy;
• A small reconciliation room; and
• A special day chapel that will seat up to 15 people, an ideal place for
private prayer, adoration and daily Mass so that we won’t have to spend
money heating or cooling the main church during the week.
| Future Plans |
| he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'" (Mark 6:30-31) |
