Wow! What a profound week in the life of our very busy parish!
Added September 22nd, 2011
This has been a profound week not only in my life, but in the life of this very busy parish! Saturday I joined with many others for the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Annual Memorial in Colorado Springs. We remembered all of the Firefighters who died in the line of duty, and especially remembered the 87 firefighters who died in the line of duty last year in the United States and Canada. It is always a profound time of tribute and remembrance, especially this year as a past friend of mine Captain Pam Butler’s name was added to the wall. Pam had a great heart! I would ask you to each day pray for the protection of all of our Firefighters, Police Officers, Sheriff’s Deputy’s, State Troopers, Corrections Officers, EMS workers and Military Men and Women for their protection.
Sunday our parish hosted a birthday party for Fr. Bill Vollmer. Fr. Bill turned 80 and God Bless him he is as active as the day that he retired. Hundreds of his friends joined in singing Happy Birthday to him and wishing him many more years of service. Congratulations Fr. Bill.
Not only are we building a new Church, but a large group of very dedicated parishioners are helping with cleaning, sanding and painting our former Church Sanctuary, which will soon serve as our new Parish Hall. Another group is helping us to clean and paint our newly remodeled offices. Another large group is helping to plant shrubs and taking care of the grounds. We are so blessed to have such great volunteers. Our Parishioners do make the difference.
One of the things that really struck me during my first week here (just over three years ago) was the authentically warm spirit of the parishioners, and the fact that so many were willing to pitch in and help. I am so blessed to be here as Pastor with such great parishioners!!
Wow, what great care for the details by our parishioners.
Keep up the great work –St. Francis Parishioners!!!
Fr. Brad
Old World Style Craftsmanship Continues! Part two!!!
Added September 10th, 2011
It is so cool to see that how each of the individual craftsman are using their great talents to build us a really hand crafted new Church. I really applaud the Fransen-Pittman General Contractors and the sub-contractors who have great pride in their work and a keen eye for detail! Since a picture is worth a 1,000 words, let me show you some really fine craftsmanship done in the Old World Style –
This is Mario from Berich Masonry. He is one of the master masons building the base for the Ambo, Altar and Ambo (pulpit). He is shown here building the base for the new Tabernacle. It is such a joy to watch these guys individually chisel each stone. Talk about craftsmanship! It really reminds me about how they build the old cathedrals.
It’s hard to see in this picture but this is James from Duro Electric carefully installing one of the new light fixtures in the cupola. I am certainly glad that he was on the lift and not me! James, Paul and the Crew from Duro are doing a great job!
I am really proud of the crew from B&M Roofing. It has been a real challenge trying to fashion the new standing seem metal roof over our Carpenter Gothic Arches. It is a very complex project. B&M has really worked hard to work through the obstacles and are continuing to refine their work on this very complex project.
It is great to be at the stage of the project where the landscaping starts to be installed. All Phase Landscaping is now working to get all of the many plants, trees and bushes planted and watered. Our 13.6 acre campus is really starting to pop!
We are truly blessed that we have Watkins Stained Glass Company working on our many pieces of Antique stained Glass. Watkins is probably one of the oldest stained glass companies in Denver. This is the first Stained Glass Window installed in the new Church. This Rose Window of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother was actually made in the 1880’s and came from a church that was closed. Phil and Jane from Watkins did a great job with restoration and installation.
I’ll have more updates next week.
Thanks, Fr. Brad
Old World style Craftsmanship carried out in the Present!
Added September 2nd, 2011
One of the things that makes my heart really soar is to see on a daily basis what I call Old World Style Craftsmanship being performed here by Fransen-Pittman and its subcontractors. When they built cathedrals in the old days each trade had their “Master Craftsman” working on. It was evident in the pride in which each laborer took when crafting something for the cathedral. It is certainly refreshing to see that same tradition carry on in this build.
First of all we are truly blessed to have Mark Thiesen as our General Superintendent on this job. Mark has been with Fransen Pittman for many years, and I consider him to be a “Master Builder.” Mark is hands on, has a great eye for details, has a great sense of thinking ahead to figure out potential problems and has extraordinary organizational skills. Mark is supported by a great ground crew here and Mike Muniz and Alan Anderson are doing a great job with project management.
Fransen Pittman’s own Master carpenters have been doing a lot of work around the building. The picture above shows the extraordinary carpentry detail that was done in the ceiling of the cupola. Kudos to Master Carpenter Frank for his great eye for detail. I personally love the cross in the center of the arched ceiling. By the way his craftsmanship is visible in the parking lot at night. Great job!
Our new Baptistery was made just north of us in Boulder by a company called Living Design Studios. Jessica and her team did a great job! It is a real example of Old World Style Craftsmanship! When it was delivered – I was just floored. It is truly a work of art! Thanks Jessica and Living Design Studios. I would invite you to see their website – just Google Living Design Studios Boulder.
The Masons from Canyon Creek have been keeping busy installing the Sunset Stone Products (manufactured here in Castle Rock) around the inside and outside of our new Church. As I watch these craftsman work, it brings me back to the masons of old. They do a phenomenal job as you can see by the picture above.
Again, great work across the project. Next week I will feature B&M roofing, Duro Electric, Quality Mechanical, and Berich Masons. Kudos also to Ken Caryl Glass and to Watkins Stained Glass! Keep up the great work – our cathedral builders of the present!
Fr. Brad
