NEW VIDEO TO ENJOY!

My latest and greatest iMovie on San Rafael Parish Pastoral Center is now available on YouTube. You can view it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v+QQ8P3VAB21c

Versions of this and other clips I have posted over the months will be on video display during the Dedication Ceremony on September 12 at 1:30 p.m.

Enjoy!

Tom Hanson

WE ARE IN!

It's hectic and we're not sure where everything is. We're working on putting things in order but the move to the new offices is taking place and the old offices will be refurbished to become our new Religious Education and Adult Education Offices. The old Religious Education and Adult Education Offices will become a Music Director's office and Music Library. These next several weeks will be very hectic so please be patient with us. Once Monsignor returns from his very brief (ten days) vacation he'll work like the rest of the staff to get things up and running - and will be gone again the last week of August.

THE MOVE IS ON!

Monday, July 5, is a federal holiday. The parish offices will be closed on Monday. Beginning on Tuesday, July 6, we will be making the move from our current offices to the new offices in the new Family Pastoral Center so the staff most likely will not be very available for regular parish buniness. As with any move things may be hectic for a while, so please be patient with us until we get settled.

BUILDING UPDATE

As you can see, something has been added to the front of the building: A shield containing the Pope's Coat of Arms. Churches in Rome all have such shields prominently displayed above the main entrance as a sign of loyalty to the Holy Father. Why not here as well? Pope Benedict XVI's coat of arms is explained thus: At the very top is a mitre with 3 gold stripes symbolizing his task to teach, govern and sanctify. The pallium with 3 red crosses symbolizes the Pope as the shepherd of Christ's flock. The shield is divided into three sections: The top left depicts the Moor of Friesing, an ancient symbol of the bishops of Bavaria, Pope Benedict's home province in Germany; the top right shows St. Corbinian's bear which comes from an old legend that says the bear killed the saint's horse and, to punish the bear, the saint made the bear carry his luggage the rest of the way to Rome; in the center is a shell, an ancient symbol of pilgrimage, symbolizing that we are all pilgrims on a journey to heaven. On the back of the shield, as on every papal coat of arms, are the crossed keys, the "keys of the Kingdom" which Christ entrusted to Peter.

BUILDING UPDATE (APRIL 25, 2010)

As you can see the plastering of the exterior of our new Family Pastoral Center is all but done. The elevator has been installed in the building and is working, interior walls have been plastered and painting has begun. Soon, flooring and cabinetry will be installed. Lighting has been installed where is can be along the walkway connecting the FPC to the church and it looks GREAT at night! We are getting closer and closer to the building being finished. It was originally slated to be completed at the end of April but we are about 6 weeks behind schedule (thanks mainly to SGG&E). We're getting there, though!

BUILDING UPDATE (APRIL 4, 2010)

As you can see our new Family Pastoral Center is well on the way to completion. It's not too late to make a pledge to the cause and every pledge helps us meet our goal! Plastering has begun on the exterior of the building, the interior is being worked on, our parking lots are (about 98%) back to normal. The targeted date for completion is late May/early June. As soon as we can we will open the doors and let you all have a look inside before we begin to move in and use the building.

BUILDING UPDATE (MARCH 21, 2010)

West side parking is being repaved this week and not available for use. However, it will be available by the end of the week. In the meantime, please park in front of the church and on the newly paved lot in front of the Family Pastoral Center .

BUILDING UPDATE (FEBRUARY 21, 2010)

Great progress has been made, though it might not look like it. There has been a lot of progress on the interior of the building, the west side has been "wrapped," the front area for parking has been graded and the new curbs have been poured. This coming week the west parking lot by the church will be torn up and repaved as will the parking area in front of the new Pastoral Center. Soon our entire parking lot will be restored to our use! Don't forget to finish payments on your pledge, if you can!

BUILING UPDATE (FEBRUARY 7, 2010)

It might not look like much has been done lately, but looks can be deceiving. The building is completely roofed and soon the roofing tiles will be put on where they belong. A lot of interior work is being done such as plumbing, electrical and ceiling frames. Soon drywall will be installed inside and, wonder of wonders, grading has begun on the parking area and, very soon now, the parking area in front of the building will be paved and the west side parking lot will be paved. We are making progress! The first Sunday after the building is completed and we have an occupancy permit it will be open after Masses for parishioners to walk through and see. After that we'll move in and, sometime in early September after Labor Day, we'll have teh formal dedication (if all goes well).