Weekly Giveaways #25 - Week of 10/25/09

THIS WEEK’S QUIZ QUESTION
As history goes, a woman played a role in helping to keep the Xavier community alive and moving forward at a very pivotal time-- right after the first church burned down.
How did this woman provide for her five children and what did she say to inspire Fr. Larkin?

THIS WEEK’S PRIZE
Paul Wilkes’s book, “In Due Season-A Catholic Life”.
Wilkes has written for the New Yorker, New York Times Magazine, and Atlantic Monthly. And according to Andrew Greeley, “Paul Wilkes’s memoir is a love story—and also a story of a struggle with the lover, in his case, God…”

Thanks so much to Stephanie Samoy and Mary Hurson for their generous donation!

The Winner:
Grace Springer

The Answer:
She was an apple woman selling apples to take care
of her five children. She said, “We must give God glory for
everything!”

Renovation and Restoration Corner #10: Moving Forward

COLD AIR USHERS IN ARRIVAL OF A/C UNITS!
As cold temperatures arrived in NYC, so did our new a/c units. The unseasonably cooler temps seemed to forecast the arrival of cooler air in the church when we'll need it most- next summer!

Photos by Carlos Martín

Workers prepare A/ C unit to be lifted 75 feet up by the crane

Crane operator carefully places new Air Conditioning unit 75 feet up on the 15th Street rooftop

A/C unit in flight!

Preparing to "squeeze" the unit into the 16th St. windows

It's a tight squeeze, but...

...it fits! Workers roll it into place.

Space is made to place the A/C ducts next to the radiators under the Stations of the Cross murals

Photos by Carlos Martín

Weekly Giveaways #24 - Week of 10/18/09

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:
Who was the President of the United States when the cornerstone was laid for our present Church? And who was President when it was completed?

THIS WEEK’S PRIZE:
Daily Guideposts for 2010, a Spirit-lifting devotional
leatherette-bound book that is an American favorite for
more than 30-years. Each day of 2010 you'll find a short
Scripture verse for reflection, a true first-person story and a
brief prayer to put the day's message to work in your life.

THE WINNER:
Steve Amoroso

THE ANSWER:
Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878 and Chester Alan Arthur in 1882.

Renovation and Restoration Corner #9: History Renewed

ARTIFACTS UNEARTHED DURING RENOVATION/RESTORATION!

Artifacts include "AMERICA" magazines from 1927 and 1955; Piels and Ballantine Beer cans (construction workers get thirsty too!); a 1901 Luden's Cough Drop box and some late 19th c. papers!

 Like day and night- columns transforming

Replication of the 1st Decorative Campaign in the Narthex with stenciling

Before (above) and After (below) of the marble pilasters in the Narthex

Below, you'll notice the bottom of the marble pilaster on the right is quite dirty compared to the upper part and the pilaster on the left

Photos by Carlos Martín

Renovation and Restoration Corner #8: Apotheosis

Thanks to Carlos Martín for these wonderful photos of the progress of renovations.

Weekly Giveaways #23 - Week of 10/11/09

This week’s question is similar to the old “guess how many gum balls in the jar” routine. How many people, so far, have participated in the Capital Campaign with a pledge or donation?

The person who guesses closest to the actual number without going over wins.

THIS WEEK’S PRIZE
A $50 Gift Certificate to Bed, Bath & Beyond courtesy of lovely parishioner Ann Harris-Jacobs!

Thanks to Ann!

The Winner:
Scott Wilkolaski

The Answer:
Scott was the closest without going over with a guess of 123.

Weekly Giveaways #22 - Week of 10/04/09

This Week's Question:
As you sit in the nave, you may have been wondering what is occurring beyond the huge white curtain. Two such occurrences are the restoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary Altar and the St. Joseph altar. How much would your daily gift be over the course of the 5-year pledge period to restore the Blessed Virgin Mary Altar AND what is the difference between that daily gift and the daily gift to restore the St. Joseph Altar?

This week's give-away:
A $50 Gift Certificate to VYNL Restaurant!
Thank you VYNL!

The Winner:
Kathleen Friel

The Answer:
There are 1,826 days over the 5-year campaign (including a leap year). The Blessed Virgin Mary Altar restoration level is $60,000, therefore your daily gift would be $32.86. It’s the same for the St. Joseph Altar, so the difference is O.