Space Diminishes but Excitement Grows!

View of East Transept this past week: 

Pews removed for restoration, floor prepared for new flooring levels and scaffolding.

We keep moving forward as our altar and ambo are relocated temporarily into the nave of the Church. Our worship space will certainly never be the same! As we peel the layers of damage away, we begin to reveal the glory of the past and the grandeur of our future. How fortunate to be a member of a community who respects our heritage and believes in what is yet to be – All for the Greater Glory of God! 

For more information on how you can participate in the Capital Campaign, contact Capital Campaign Director, Patrick Brewis at patrick.brewis@sfxavier.org, or (212) 627-2100 x206.

Weekly Giveaway #3 - week of 5/25/09

Question of the week:

Throughout the church, one particular theme resonates in the myriad carvings, moldings, glassworks and marble.

What is it, AND what does it symbolize? 

This week's give-away:

Brunch for 2 at the Hollywood Diner

Answer:

The lily, symbolizing Christ's resurrection and promise of eternal life.

Winner:

George Martinek.  Enjoy, George!

Weekly Giveaway #2 - week of 5/18/09

Question of the week:

How many tons is our reredos (former high altar) AND how many feet was it moved forward?

This week's give-away:

Bon Jour French Press from Williams-Sonoma, donated by parishioner Larry Kiss

Answer:

24 ton reredos, moved 12 feet forward.

Winner:

Larry Ling.  Well done, Larry!

Capital Campaign Launch Receptions: More Than 300 Attend!

What an amazing and heartening response to our Evening/Afternoon Receptions with Fr. Joe in the Church! We had more than 300 people attend during the various receptions. Many were astounded by the richness of our history and awakened to the great need we have to restore our magnificent worship space and add our own layer of history!  

For those who have attended, we will be contacting you in the next couple of weeks. For more information on how you can participate in the Capital Campaign, contact Capital Campaign Director, Patrick Brewis at patrick.brewis@sfxavier.org or (212) 627-2100, ext. 206

[View event photos from the Capital Campaign Launch Receptions here.]

One More Chance! Capital Campaign Reception Sunday

"Guess What's Comin' Round the Corner . . . "

(Illustration: Cuong Nguyen, parishioner)

If you could not attend our evening receptions, this opportunity is for you!

WE HAVE ADDED ONE MORE GATHERING

This Sunday May 17

2:30pm - 4pm

Join Fr. Joe for an exclusive look at all that is planned for our upcoming renovation / restoration. Refreshments will be served.

RSVP to Patrick Brewis at (212) 627-2100 x206

or patrick.brewis@sfxavier.org

Recap: Campaign Launch Reception Photos

(Photos: Carlos Martín, parishioner)

Weekly Giveaway #1 - week of 5/11/09

Question of the week:

In what year did Fr. Larkin leave Fordham to make the full day's journey to Manhattan to begin our Xavier community?

This week's give-away:

$30 gift certificate for free groceries, courtesy of Westside Market!

Answer:

1847

Winner:

Bob Ferrara.  Congrats, Bob!

Phase II Capital Campaign: The Launch

We have turned the corner! This weekend marks the official launch of our Capital Campaign, “Moving Forward in Renewal, Renovation and Restoration.” You’ve most likely noticed the banners and the display in the back of Church (at least I hope so).

Henri Nouwen said, “Labors of love attract community.” A yellow post-it with that written on it is stuck to the top of my computer. It provides a constant reminder of how so many have already contributed to the various elements of our Capital Campaign – a new website, a commemorative booklet, banners, fliers, the work of our Pastoral Council and our Finance, Development and Restoration committees – All Labors of Love.

The number of people who have come forward to help with Moving Forward – in

Renewal, Renovation and Restoration, the theme of Phase II of our Capital Campaign, has been awe-inspiring. The parish’s Phase I capital campaign several years ago enabled the repair to the exterior of the Church. The dedicated work of those who envisioned Phase I have now made Phase II

possible.

And so our launch begins!

• EVENING COCKTAIL RECEPTIONS
  
• PLEDGE INFORMATION
  
• NEW WEBSITE
  
• FACEBOOK FAN PAGE
  
• WEEKLY BLOG
  
• VISUAL DISPLAYS IN CHURCH
  
• BULLETIN UPDATES
  
• PARISHIONER STORIES
  
• WEEKLY GIVE-AWAYS
  
• COMMEMORATIVE BOOKLET
  

Patrick Brewis

Director, Capital Campaign

The Restoration and Renovation Work Has Begun

Space created for Air-Conditioning Mechanical Room

Organ pipe removal

Artist rendering of new Organ Pipe location

(Courtesy of Peragallo Pipe Organ Company)

As mentioned in the bulletin on Palm Sunday, we hired the Peragallo Pipe Organ Company that informed me that our organ pipes must be the first to go out and the last to return because "dust is their enemy."

The past week or so there has been much work done behind the scenes so to speak. Our organ pipes have indeed been removed for refurbishing. Their removal creates the space needed for the new Air-Conditioning Mechanical Room. This room will be behind the original organ screen, which is currently in disrepair and covered by scaffolding (behind the blue and yellow cloth).

When the organ pipes are returned, hopefully sometime early next year, they will be relocated in the two front balconies as shown in the artist rendering above. Exciting days are ahead as scaffolding is installed in our Church, and we launch our Capital Campaign.

Stay tuned!

-- Fr. Joe

Guess What's Comin' Round the Corner . . .

"Guess What's Comin' Round the Corner . . . "

(Illustration: Cuong Nguyen, parishioner)

Together with the

Parish Pastoral Council &

the Finance, Restoration, and Development Committees,

Rev. Joseph S. Costantino, S.J.

requests your presence at one of our

Parish-wide Capital Campaign

Cocktail Receptions

WHY?

To learn more about the upcoming renovation/restoration and how YOU can participate.

WHERE?

Main Church

WHEN?

Wednesday, May 6

Friday, May 8

Wednesday, May 13

Thursday, May 14

All receptions 7pm-8:30pm

HOW?

Select one of the above dates and 

RSVP to Patrick Brewis at (212) 627-2100 x206

or patrick.brewis@sfxavier.org

Wine & passed hors d'oeurves will be served.

Those who attend will receive our new commemorative booklet.

Are You a Fan?

There are so many exciting new happenings at the Church of Saint Francis Xavier this year. One is the launch of a new Facebook Fan Page!

 

The goal of the Saint Francis Xavier Fan page is to encourage simple fellowship. This free Fan Page offers each parishioner a “gathering place" where they can get to know each other and build on our already robust community. 

 

The Facebook Fan Page includes important links to Parish Life at Saint Francis Xavier and has all the usual functions of a social networking site: profile pages, friends, photos, discussion groups and events. All this is in addition to our website where you can always find out what's happening at Xavier.

 

If you are a member of Facebook, the Saint Francis Xavier Fan Page can be found by clicking here. If you're not a member, then check it out.  You'll find that a lot of your friends and family are already on Facebook! It's a great way to keep in touch with people.

 

We're asking you to spread the word about this exciting new development. Send an email to your friends or any other Fans of Saint Francis Xavier. You can also post our online resources to your blog or website.  See you on Facebook!