San Rafael Parish New Pastoral Center

NEW VIDEO TO ENJOY!

2010-09-02T11:03:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-08-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-08-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

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)

2010-05-20T14:27:00.000-07:00

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)

2010-05-20T14:23:00.000-07:00

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)

2010-05-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

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)

2010-05-20T14:07:00.000-07:00

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)

2010-05-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

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).

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

2009-12-10T11:35:00.000-08:00

It might not look like a lot is happening from where we're standing, but it is! The new Parish Family Pastoral Center is almost completely framed and the roof will be going on soon. We hope to have the roof on and the west side of the building pretty much completed by Christmas so that when the winter rains arrive, construction can continue unimpeded. Once again, we gently ask those who have pledged to the building, and who can afford to do so, to continue with their pledge payments. We are almost done with pledges and that will help us finish the building in good financial shape. For new parishioners who would like to be on board with providing this marvelous new facility to benefit our parish for years to come pledges and donations are still (happily) accepted!

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

2009-11-03T14:09:00.000-08:00

The parking lot in front of the church has been striped and the handicapped parking places are back where they should be. We did not lose any handicapped places. In fact, we gained two! Work continues along at a good pace on our new Pastoral Center. Very soon now the steps will be replaced in front of the parish center entrance. They were illegal in height so had to be replaced. The new fountain is rich in symbolism as was explained in last Sunday's announcements. The four pillars represent the four gospels, each of different lengths going in different directions to represent the different audiences for whom they were intended, watering and giving life to the four corners of the world. The source of the life-giving water, like the Holy Spirit, is evident but hidden. (Also, since there is no pond open toteh elements there is less evaporation and water use in this fountain, which also keeps our little ones from splashing in and falling into it.)

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

2009-10-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

HOPEFULLY, at this writing, the following will have been done this week: The driveway lights have been installed, the fountain in front of the church is up and working, concrete curbing has been poured in front of the rectory, the ground there has been prepped for asphalt work this week. By Friday the hope is to have the parking lots done and ready for complete use (and the west parking lot will be resurfaced after New Year’s Day). Yes, you can drive through the lot as we used to be able to do! The huge mountain of dirt that has stood in front of us since August is gone and serious work in the new Family Pastoral Center itself begins. We’ll see visible evidence every week of the continuing growth of our new building.

BIRD'S EYE VIEW

2009-10-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

Good evening, friends of San Rafael Pastoral Center! Since groundbreaking, I've been videotaping the construction site and have uploaded some time lapse footage onto YouTube that I hope you find interesting, comprised of footage from June thru last week (22 Oct). There are three files containing footage that I have filmed from the roof of the Excel building (great birds-eye view of the whole project), as well as footage from the parking lot and from the patio. Here are the links to YouTube for your viewing pleasure:From the roof of Excel office building: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=hansonmarketing#p/u/0/D9O5feNFumAFrom the side parking lot (betw church and rectory):http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=hansonmarketing#p/u/2/BDyGbXOU8pYFrom the patio, looking toward the new building:http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=hansonmarketing#p/u/1/onSd7dg2wlEI will post new footage in January that captures the project thru Nov-Dec, when we will start to see the building really take shape! I have actual, real time footage if anyone wants to view it -- but be forewarned, there's a lot of it... hence the time lapse. Enjoy! Tom Hanson

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

2009-10-13T13:27:00.000-07:00

Landscaping features for the parking lot have been delivered have been planted, but the large outdoor Christmas tree which we ordered had a crooked trunk so we sent it back for another one. HOPEFULLY, the parking lot lights will soon all be in. Until then, temporary flood lights are being used in the parking lot at night. PLEASE BE CAREFUL while driving in the parking lot. The parking area in front of the rectory is supposed to be completed this coming week. The west parking lot will be resurfaced after New Year’s to assure that all possible parking will be available for the Holidays.

UPDATE

2009-10-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

CONSTRUCTION on the new Family Pastoral Center continues. This week the slab was poured and has to “cure” for a few days before other work can commence. Next week we’ll begin to see framing go up. The church entryway has been completed and the pavers extend across to the parking lot to where the new parking lot will be. Yes, there will be drive through areas over the walkway. They’re just hard to distinguish because the parking lots are not yet finished. The new lights will be installed on the parking lot very shortly and work on the parking area in front of the rectory will begin soon. The handicapped spaces will be removed but we will put more, temporary handicapped spaces on the west side of the church.

BUILDING FUND PLEDGES continue to come in and we are entering the last of the initial pledge period. Many have already paid their pledges in full and others are near the end. If you made a pledge for the new building (which contains new offices, a smaller parish hall, a youth center/offices, and meeting/classrooms) we urge you – if you are able – to continue to pay on it until your pledge is met. If everyone pays the pledge chance are very good that we can open our new building debt free!

WHAT BECOMES OF THE CURRENT OFFICES when the new building is opened? The current parish offices will become the Religious Education Center. The present meeting rooms will all be refurnished with kidling-sized tables and chairs to accommodate our young parishioners for their classes. This way we can keep our religious education program contained in one facility.

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES UNABATED

2009-08-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

Concrete curbing for the parking lot planters is being poured as well as for the front patio and a new fountain will be installed. The new fountain will be off to the east side of the main entrance to the church and will consist of four pillars, representing the four gospels, without a pond. Why was the old fountain removed? There are several reasons: 1) It took up a LOT of space and hindered gathering before and after Mass; 2) Little kids (of which we have more and more) loved to play and splash and fall into it; 3) It was a bear to clean and keep clean; 4) People kept throwing coins in it and, believe it or not, the bank wouldn’t accept those coins because they corrode and jam the coin counting machines; 5) Someone thought it would be fun to take the protective cap off the water return to the pump and drop coins in it, effectively clogging the water return and burning out the pump. To repair it would have necessitated breaking up the fountain anyway. The old parking lot will also be completely re-landscaped. SDG&E has finished their work of re-routing the utilities off of our property to service the Hilton Hotel and the rest of the required retaining wall will soon be completed. Steel is being laid for the foundation pad of the new building and soon the concrete pad will be poured. Keep those smiles coming! J

SUNDAY PARKING IS GOING VERY WELL. Thank you all for your patience. However, we have noticed some people who have “Handicapped” placards in their cars who don’t appear to be handicapped L and who take up the handicap spaces L!! In one instance a gentleman who needs to carry oxygen with him couldn’t park in a place meant for him because someone who didn’t really appear to need the space had taken it. Please be considerate of others. If you don’t absolutely need the handicapped spaces please leave them for those who do. If you don’t need it and use it anyway just remember: God is watching.

2009-08-05T11:03:00.001-07:00

These photos were taken at the end of the day on Tuesday, August 4th. All of the trees, shrubs and landscaping medians in the parking lot were removed on Monday. By the end of Tuesday, most of the asphalt has been dug up and hauled away.

Parking continues to be a new challenge every day, depending on the parish activities scheduled for the day (and please believe that activities are being kept to an absolute minumum!). We just have to keep reminding ourselves each day that this is what we have been planning for and working so hard for the last five years! One thing is for sure, we are all getting our exercise in just trying to walk from one side of the property to the other taking care of daily business!

Parking Announcement

2009-07-31T13:58:00.000-07:00

As most of you are aware, we have been delayed by factors beyond our control in the construction of the first phase of our new parking lot, those spaces that will be adjacent to the new building. Unfortunately, we must go forward with phase 2 demolition and construction beginning this Monday August 3rd in order to be ready for religious education classes in September. Phase 2 will close the majority of spaces in front of the church and parish hall. This will be the parking situation from August 3rd through Sunday September 14th (the next 6 weeks):

There will only be 32 spaces available in the east portion of our lot, adjacent to the classrooms. These 32 spaces will be accessible by the main entrance on Bernardo Center Drive. We will have volunteers available to advise drivers when that lot is full. There will be no possibility of ‘drop-offs’ from the Bernardo Center access.
There will only be 50 spaces available on the west side of the church accessible from Bernardo Terrace. In addition to those 50 spaces, we will continue to be able to use nine (9) of the existing handicapped parking spaces. ‘Drop-offs’ may be possible at the west side. However, west side spaces may be full and not available to the car dropping off. Volunteers will be assisting drivers in the westside parking area also.
There will be more than ample parking available in the Excel and Hilton parking areas. This will require coming a little early and burning some calories to walk to church.
We strongly recommend that ALL able-bodied parishioners use the Excel and Hilton parking areas.
Please consider sharing a ride with fellow parishioners.
Unfortunately, there will be no large van access for drop-offs. Therefore, The Remington Club and Casa de Las Campanas residents will be driven to other churches during the next 6 weeks.
During this time, we will work to keep Masses to 45 minutes.

Again, this will be the parking situation from August 3rd through September 14. We are sorry for any inconvenience. Please, be patient. The end result will be very much worth it!

Expanding Parish Breaks Ground on Energy-Efficient Center

2009-07-14T11:06:00.001-07:00

Here's an article about our June 7 groundbreaking ceremony that appeared in a local community newpaper called "The Sun Signature."

"The parishioners of San Rafael Catholic Church gathered on June 7 to break ground for the parish's new Family Pastoral Center.

Joining pastor Monsignor Dennis Mikulanis was honored guest Carl DeMaio, San Diego City Councilmember. The event took place at the building site, adjacent to the Hilton Garden Inn Rancho Bernardo.

The building's design is being praised for its energy-efficient lighting and reflective ceiling and window materials, expected to cut energy costs by over 30 percent compared to similar-sized, existing buildings.

When completed in May 2010, the new two-story center will add more than 15,OOO-square-feet of meeting rooms, covered parking and offices for the growing parish's ministries and community outreach.

Established in 1974, San Rafael Parish currently serves over 3,500 Catholic households from Rancho Bernardo, Poway, 4S Ranch and nearby communities. The Church is located at 17252 Bernardo Center Drive in Rancho Bernardo. To learn more about the parish's Family Pastoral Center project visit their website at: http://www.sanrafaelparish.org/ or call (858) 487-4314."

(Pictured..)
DIGGING WITH SPIRIT: Ground breaking began at San Rafael Catholic Church for the parish's new Family Pastoral Center. Left to right: Councilmember Carl DeMaio, City of San Diego District 5; Monsignor Dennis Mikulanis, pastor and Mr. Don Schmidt, chairman of the building committee.
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Week of July 5-11

2009-07-13T14:03:00.000-07:00

Week of June 28 - July 4

2009-07-06T15:10:00.001-07:00

So, what’s been happening these past few weeks with the construction of our new Family Pastoral Center? Since the groundbreaking one month ago we have seen the site work accomplished to raise it to the necessary level; a pedestrian bridge put in by the rectory to allow access to the Business Park parking lot; a new storm drain to serve the building site put in; excavation and preparing the footings for the retaining walls begun; beginning of site plumbing and site electrical work; the building pad set and certified. Dump trucks, bulldozers, graders, backhoes and trenchers have all been busy. Bills continue to be paid and work progresses. We’ll keep you up to date on a regular basis as to what is happening!

Week of June 21-26

2009-06-23T13:47:00.001-07:00

The work continues! The grading and site work is ongoing as some sections needed to be lowered and others needed to be raised by 1 to 4 feet for construction. In a few weeks we will have parking available to us again beyond the old fence line but other parts of the property will have parking diverted. There is footbridge, as wide as is legally allowed, by the rectory garage connecting our parking lot with the Office park lot. It is exciting to see the work being done after so long a wait! If you are still paying on your pledge (and this is the last year of the 5 year commitment) and are financially able to pay it, please do! If you have not yet made a pledge to the work – to help make this your facility as well, you are welcome to do so! Pledge cards are available in the vestibule of the church.

June 15 through June 21

2009-06-19T11:20:00.001-07:00

The First Week of Construction - June 8 through June 14

2009-06-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

Photo Album Now Available

2009-06-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

A Parish Pastoral Center Photo Album has been created. To view, please go to http://sanrafaelparish.shutterfly.com/. This album will contain photos from the June 7th Groundbreaking Ceremony all the way through to the expected completion of construction in approximately 10 months and the Dedication Ceremony. You can also order prints any of the photos you see in this album just by clicking on the "Order Prints" icon. Photos can also be submitted to the album by sending the photos via e-mail to sanrafaelparish@sfly.com with the photos attached.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Video

2009-06-17T13:19:00.001-07:00

For all of you who were unable to make to our Groundbreaking Ceremony, you can now view a video clip of the ceremony on You Tube. Just clip on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6izNNmZjKg

Enjoy!

Thank You All for a Great Start

2009-06-08T15:50:00.001-07:00

The Groundbreaking Ceremony was a great sucess! Thanks to all who attended, including Councilmember Carl De Maio. A SPECIAL THANK YOU to our Campaign Continuation Committee, Page Watts, the Men's Club, the Mother's Spirituality Group, the San Rafael Supper Club, the Women's Fellowship, the Ladies’ Guild and the Knight's of Columbus for all working together in setting-up, cleaning-up and providing all the donated goods and services for a successful reception following our Pastoral Center Groundbreaking Ceremony. We couldn’t have done it without you!

2009-06-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY for our new Parish Pastoral Center will take place TODAY, Sunday, June 7, at 2:30 p.m. on our lot in front of the Hilton Hotel! Please join us and stay for some light refreshments as we begin the construction of our long planned building which will house new administration offices (the current offices will become entirely Religious Education Offices), a small assembly hall, Youth Ministry Center and office and 8 new meeting rooms!.