My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

My Spirit rejoices in God my Savior

Luke 1:46 -55

The Magnificat of Mary is said at Evening Prayer. I as stood at our construction site this evening and snapped the picture above I immediately thought of the first line of the Magnificat. “My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, My Spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-55)

It is a great evening to proclaim the greatness of the Lord as today WITCO set up three of the four large glue laminated beams. Especially when you look across and see that most magnificent sunset! Especially as you see the grandeur of the mountains! Especially as we enjoyed perfect weather up here when just south of us was ice and fog! Dear God – you are so great and wonderful!

“My Spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”

We here at St. Francis have so much to be joyful for! And as the Magnficat continues – “for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant and from this day all generations shall call me blessed!” God has truly looked with favor on us, we his lowly servants here at St. Francis with great weather, with great parishioners of abundant generosity, with our Bishop and Diocese being so involved and supportive, with fine architects, and fine contractors! We are Blessed! It was so heartwarming today to be out on the site a lot and meet at the construction fence so many parishioners who stopped by and [who in tears] said thanks be to God for this day!

Please join me this evening and every day in proclaiming the Greatness of the Lord and let your Spirit Rejoice in God your Savior! How Blessed we are!!!!

Fr. Brad

A lot of great things are happening here on the site!

The first 4 of our Glue Laminated Beams have arrived.

Yesterday the first truckload of our Glue Laminated Beams arrived here on site. The delivery was actually delayed due to a snowstorm in Utah as our beams made their way from California.

Today the crane arrived and set these first 4 main beams onto our concrete slab.

The Crew from Witco (a Castle Rock Firm) carefully maneuvers the Beam into place.

Hopefully this next week, Witco will start setting these Four glue laminated beams into place! It would be an extraordinary sight to see – if as you come in for the Christmas Masses that you could see the first beams in place!

A lot of great things are happening here on the site!!!

Thanks, Fr. Brad

Our Post Tensioned Concrete Slab has been poured!

Thanks to a great effort by Baker Concrete, Fransen-Pittman, Duro Electric and Quality Mechanical!

This past Friday was a banner day and a milestone day in the life of our parish as Baker Concrete did a phenomenal job pouring and finishing over 550 cubic yards of concrete! The first of 60 concrete trucks begin arriving around 6:30 am and the big pour began! I personally want to say thanks to Ben, Jimmy, Guapo and each and every one of the Baker Concrete guys for doing a great job! You guys are second to none!

Skip from Quality Mechanical was on site very early to make sure that all of the plumbing vents were properly sealed before the big pour. Skip has done a great job on this site!

Paul and Jimmy from Duro Electric have worked very hard to make sure that all of the empty conduits were correctly placed before the big pour. This picture was taken the day before the big pour. As a Pastor and Priest who gets to do building projects, I am very glad to have Paul on our team. I worked with Paul at St. Pat’s (my last parish) and he does great work. Duro is dedicated to excellence!

Here’s the crew from Baker Concrete pouring sections of the PT slab!

Mark Cucarola, the Chair of our Building and Property Commission celebrates with the FP crew at the completion of the big pour! Several of our Building and Property Commission members were present during the day. Chris and Gil were on site around 6am bring Krispy Kreme donuts and coffee to the crew! Two of our parishioners brought breakfast burritos and Angie’s Restaurant brought Pizzas! Thanks Mike Muniz from FP for bringing the Cigars! It was a great day!!!

It was a great job all around! Thanks Team!!! I

Fr. Brad

Baker Concrete begins pouring the Foundation for our New Church!

After months of lots of great preparatory work done by Duro Electric, Quality Mechanical, Total Site Utilities, various subcontractors and Fransen-Pittman (Our General Contractor), Bake last week began the excavation work for the new foundation. Today Baker Concrete began pouring the foundation ribs and footing pads!
 

Standing l-r – Jimmy Fisher, Aaron Smith and Ben Breslin)

 
I spoke today with Jimmy Fisher, the Project Superintendent. He reminded me that this is a very complicated build, especially with all of the embeds. The placement of the embeds is very critical due to the size of the glue-laminated beams.
 
Jimmy also told me that this particular layout can be likened to building a fine piano. There are so many intricate parts that need to come together to make this whole foundation system work.
 
One of the things that Jimmy also said was that when all was said and done that all of their foundation work would be hidden. Hidden, but essential to the strength of our new church!
This was also mirrored by Ben, their Project Manager and by Aaron their Operations Manager.
 
I was really touched by the wisdom of Jimmy! Setting the foundation correctly is so critically important in any aspect of our life. Building on that solid foundation that we have set is important as we go through life. As we go through life we may not be able to see the foundation, but it is that which give us strength, especially to endure whatever my come.
 
On this most beautiful and challenging site we do get a lot of stress from the winds that tend to blow. I know that the great foundation that Baker Concrete is providing will provide us a firm and lasting anchor. Thanks Baker Concrete!
 

Brett Prather –architect –standing right checks out the progress along with Larry, Jesus and Paul from FP
 

We are blessed to have Mark Thiesen and Paul Gibson from FP on this Job! Mark is in charge of Day to Day OPS and Paul is his Second in Command. I am really impressed with Mark and his team of builders!
 
 
A lot of great work is happening from this great team!  Thanks, Fr. Brad