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St. Aloysius Building Project Update and FAQs

What is the target completion date for Phase One of the project?
Our new preschool, faith center, chapel, gym, meeting rooms, and classrooms will be completed in July 2025 along with the renovations to the church. We will be welcoming over 800 Religious Education students on campus, along with classrooms full of precious preschool children. Think how beautiful it will be for our students to share the day with Jesus in our new chapel.

What types of green technology are being incorporated into the building design?
We are incorporating solar and geothermal energy in all the new buildings, and we have qualified for state financial incentives. We have recycled materials from the site and are using state of the art solar panel roofing tiles on all the buildings. 

What is the plan for landscaping the property?
The large open space that will rest between the church and the education and meeting building will resemble a small park with plenty of places to sit, pray, chat, and play.  We are including a pollinator garden and other environmentally friendly features as well.  The plantings will all be native species.

Most of the trees that were planted prior to construction in honor of dear ones have been carefully removed, the roots protected, and they are being stored in a nursery.  Those trees will be re-planted at the conclusion of the project.

 Are we exploring value-engineering and other cost-saving measures to keep the cost reasonable?
Value-engineering is a systematic, organized approach to providing necessary functions in a project at the lowest cost. Value engineering promotes the substitution of materials and methods with less expensive alternatives, without sacrificing functionality. It is focused solely on the functions of various components and materials, rather than their physical attributes. We have already made some decisions about materials using value engineering principles and we continue to do so. 

Once the buildings are up, will they be financially self-sustaining?
The opportunity for rental of the large Community Room will assist us with the expenses of maintaining the new Family and Youth Center.  The tuition and fees of the preschool and occasional rental of the gymnasium will support that new facility. Additionally, the buildings will be considerably more energy efficient than the current structures.

What activities will take place in the school building?
The building will accommodate the Saint Aloysius Preschool during the morning hours five days a week, and Religious Education students throughout the afternoon, and a few evenings, four or five days a week.  In addition, parish meetings will be held in the daytime and evenings. With thirty active ministries in the parish, the versatility of the building will be a valuable tool for us.

Tell me more about the school.
The name of the school will be, The Saint Aloysius Catholic Preschool, and it will be completed in July 2025.  Dr. John Alfone will serve as the project manager and will report to the Preschool Advisory Board and assist us in launching the new school. The board membership includes Molly Luppi (Chair), Colette Lebrun, Kate Stimpson, Jose Aldeanueva, Adriana Hauser, and me. Dr. Alfone will work with the State of Connecticut to secure our license to operate and will begin creating the curriculum for our 2’s through 5’s preschool. He will also oversee the first phase of enrollment, and teacher hiring. 

How will the new chapel be utilized?
The new chapel will be a part of the new school and meeting facility. We have grown so much that it has become necessary to have liturgies and sacraments simultaneously.  For example, prior to 2019, the annual average number of baptisms at St. Aloysius was 70.  For the past few years, we have been averaging 135 baptisms per year.  It is getting very difficult to schedule baptisms on our busy Saturdays and Sundays.  If we had the opportunity to schedule two baptisms at a time – one in the church and the other in the new chapel – we could accommodate everyone’s schedule.  The same would be true when the church is booked for a wedding and a family is requesting a baptism on the same day.  Both could take place without worry.  Remember that the chapel we have in the church now cannot accommodate an event while there is something going on in the church because the sound carries easily through the glass wall that divides the two rooms.  The placement of the chapel in a religious ed and meeting facility encourages visits to the Blessed Sacrament and very reverent prayer before and after a meeting or a class. The chapel would also be a wonderful place for Eucharistic Adoration to take place without worrying about interruption from another event taking place in the church.

How are the renovations progressing in the church?
The renovations are nearly completed in the church.  From pews to restrooms, from confessionals to the sound system, nearly every aspect of the church has received its needed attention.  With 1500 parishioners attending masses every weekend, we needed to make some capital improvements.  I hope you are as pleased as I am.   Painting the inside of the existing church is up next.  We will start with the attached chapel and look for your input on the color before we proceed with the interior of the church proper.

What is the status of the renovation of Stapleton Hall?
Stapleton Hall’s renovations are almost completed, and has already hosted after mass coffees, Ladies Guild meetings, and the Knights of Columbus Christmas Party!  I hope you have taken the opportunity to stop in and see the new beautiful and efficient space.  The hall will accommodate Knights of Columbus activities, including meetings and fellowship but this versatile space will also be available to the entire community.

What’s the green space going to look like?
The large open space that will rest between the church and the education and meeting building will resemble a small park with plenty of places to sit, pray, chat, and play.  We are including a pollinator garden and other environmentally friendly features as well.  The plantings will all be native species.

What is Phase Two of the project and when will it start?
Phase Two of the building project is the construction of the Family and Youth Center, approximately where the Tudor Building was located.  Saint Aloysius Church is our cornerstone, and this Center is the last piece of the foundation that supports it.  It will be an integral part of everyday life on campus. The construction of the building will start at the completion of Phase One this coming July 2025.  Several of the necessary systems required for the building have already been put in place underground, ready for the construction of the Center.

What sort of impact will the Community and Youth Center have on our campus?
A tremendous one!  The first floor of that building will be a large Community Room with capacity for 300, and about 200 for a seated dinner.  It will be a spacious open space that is perfect for a reception after a baptism, the luncheon following a funeral, and even a wedding reception.  The kitchen facilites will be perfect for caterers and we plan to make the room available to parishioners for family events for a modest fee.  In addition to a good-sized prep area, the kitchen will have warming ovens, refrigerators, and an ice-maker, and dishwashers.  Adjacent to the kitchen area will be a café that will be open from 7am to 7pm most days and will be perfect for getting together for coffee and light fare throughout the day.  The Center will have a large outdoor patio with seating as well.

The second floor of the Center will be a Youth Suite with a large open floor plan that will also have a few smaller spaces and an office for an adult supervisor.  Our vision for this building is for pre-teens and teens to gather after school to do homework, talk, pray, or cook a simple meal together. Emmaus, StaY Youth Group, and the Young Adult Group, are just a few of the ministries that will call this center home.   

How can I pledge?
There are many easy ways to give, a check to “Saint Aloysius Building Campaign”, a credit card, stocks (we will help you with the transfer), or Donor Advised Funds. You can also click on the “Donate” link, (at the top of this page) or QR code, both will connect you to our pledge page.  I would be happy to discuss donor options with you. My email is frrob@starcc.com. 

How can I learn more about Naming Opportunities?
If you are interested in reserving a naming opportunity within our building project, please contact Maria Molloy at mmolloy@starcc.com to start the discussion. 

What if I have more questions?
Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with ANY questions. I will answer them or direct them to someone who can. Here’s my contact info:

Email: frrob@starcc.com

Direct Phone Line: 203-652-1150

Thanks for your interest in our future as a parish family. I’m honored that we are building together!

Yours in Christ,