Walking in town recently, a friendly stranger stopped me and asked, “So Father, what is that building going to be?” I loved the question because it reminded me in some ways about our life with God: “With God, who am I meant to be?” But the question was about the building, so I pivoted away from the entirely spiritual and answered the question. I thought the answer would be helpful to all.
In short, the building is going to provide the generous space and perfect environment to teach the young and those of us who are growing in age and wisdom. It is a place to learn about our faith, minister to one another, play, and worship. Here’s what that means in detail.
Saint Aloysius Catholic Preschool will offer children from Age 2 to 5 a State of Connecticut -approved education that includes an introduction to our wonderful Catholic Faith. In state-of-the-art classrooms, small groups of students will learn the basics in a truly faith-and-family-friendly environment. Daily visits to the chapel will complement their days of study and play, and parents will have the opportunity to grow in faith with special adult faith formation options. I can’t wait for the playground to resonate with the joyful noise of happy little ones, and on those rainy or cold days, our new gym will have plenty of room to accommodate lots of indoor fun!
Saint Aloysius Religious Education will fill the rooms on weekday afternoons and on Sunday mornings. With close to 800 young disciples, we will have the space we need – including flexible walls that will enable us to combine two or more classes for special presentations. With a built-in chapel, our children will have multiple opportunities to pray together as a class, and practice as they prepare to receive their Sacraments. The gym also functions as an auditorium that can facilitate a large (250+) gathering of students and parents. We can’t wait to get into the building to deliver the Good News in our usual creative and innovative ways!
Parish Ministries will use the building in the evening to meet. We are blessed with an abundance of ministries – Bereavement, Wellness, Stephen, Spiritual Direction, Men’s and Women’s Bible Study, Adult Faith Formation, Book Groups (coming this fall), Young Adults, Scouts, Our Lady’s Guild, Senior Life (stay tuned!), Men’s Spirituality, and Youth Ministry (until we build our second building), and more. The different classrooms will double as meeting rooms, and we will have a supply of furniture to accommodate all ages. “Comfortable and quiet” are the two descriptors when it comes to these meeting spaces. For larger meetings and social events, the gym is the perfect venue with auditorium seating for 250+, and a banquet set-up that can accommodate 150. When we need overflow for Mass, the gym/auditorium has a large screen and a set up for a separate Mass to be celebrated.
The St. Carlo Acutis Chapel will be a place to pray quietly during the day, to celebrate Mass, funerals, baptisms, and weddings. With our parish family growing so much each year, we have the need to pray in two places at once, so the chapel – with its beautiful high ceiling and stained-glass windows – is truly a God-send.
So, that is what the Education and Faith Center is going to be. We are $3.5 million away from opening. Please pray about a gift, let me know what questions you have, and spread the good news about the life-giving project.
