Frequently Asked Questions
Who serves on the new church project committee?
Why do we need a new church?
Why not expand and remodel one of the present churches?
Why was a rural building site chosen?
What about the elderly driving to a rural site?
What if we do nothing?
Can we afford this project?
How much did the property cost?
Will there be a social hall, rectory, CCD rooms in the new worship facility?
How many people will be seated in the new church?
What will happen to the current buildings and land?
What will happen to the statues and furnishings in the current southern churches?
How will the money be raised for a new church?
Will the people at Parkersburg be asked to help pay for the new church?
Is the Archdiocese supportive?
Who serves on the new church project committee?
In consultation with the parish council, two representatives from each of the four churches were appointed by the pastor:
- Pam Delagardelle (G)
- Chuck Etjen (P)
- Jeff Etringer (R)
- Don Gunderson (D)
- Tim Melloy (G)
- Bart Petersen (R)
- Eileen Shadlow (P)
- Tawana Wienkes(D)
- Joe Davis (R) also serves on the committee as a liaison with the parish council.
Why do we need a new church?
The Archdiocese of Dubuque currently has the largest number of parishes per capita of any diocese in the country, with 187 parishes and 120 active priests. There are 80 parishes that do not have a resident pastor and 24 that are served by pastoral administrators. Offering 4 Masses each weekend for an average of 531 people is excessive given today’s pastoral situation. Our current church buildings do not seat a sufficient number of people for fewer weekend Masses or special occasions. Each church community of the parish struggles to find sufficient volunteers for liturgical, catechetical, and social ministries. Constructing a new church will allow us to serve as better stewards. Bringing together larger numbers for activities such as CCD, socials, and worship typically makes for a better experience, but present space for catechetical, youth ministry and fellowship activities is deficient and largely inaccessible to the handicapped. Parish leaders want to take a positive, proactive lead in the process of pastoral planning so that our ideas will have a greater possibility of being accepted. Such foresight will best assure the weekly celebration of the Eucharist in this area and foster a healthier parish life. Declining numbers of priests, an increasingly mobile society, and a desire to pool resources of gifts and talents all promote the idea of construction. With population predicted to remain stable for the next 25 years in Grundy County, we need to provide a space for Catholics of this area to worship, build community, and grow in faith.
Why not expand and remodel one of the present churches?
The building committee studied all four of the present churches in Dike, Reinbeck, Grundy Center and Parkersburg and determined that there was not sufficient land for expansion and parking.
Why was a rural building site chosen?
Committee representatives sought input from parishioners regarding pros and cons of locating a church in each of the towns of Reinbeck, Dike, and Grundy Center, or a rural setting. The committee was open to all possibilities. Through discussions the committee determined that a rural setting offered the advantages of centrality and neutrality. The building site is eight miles from Grundy Center, seven miles from Reinbeck, and five miles from Dike. Furthermore, Catholic residents of Hudson live only nine miles from our location. Most southern parishioners would live 10 minutes or less from the new church. The rural site offers a neutral location, which can help foster a unified identity. Locating in the country involves a compromise on the part of all parishioners, sacrificing together for the good of the whole. The committee believed we have the best possibility of retaining parishioners at this site since it is not far from any of the current churches. Lastly, after several inquiries, suitable space was not available in Reinbeck, Grundy Center and Dike. Our site offers rural water so that a well will not need to be drilled and fire protection can be offered. Located at the intersection of two paved county roads, traffic will help to prevent vandalism and neighbors live near the site to provide surveillance. There are several towns in Iowa with larger populations than ours that do not have a Catholic church.
What about the elderly driving to a rural site?
Currently very few people walk to Mass. Thankfully the church is located on lightly traveled, hard surfaced roads. Many people have come forward already to offer rides for individuals unable to drive out of town. With a handicapped accessible church and restrooms on both levels, the elderly should have more opportunity to take part in all aspects of parish life. In the case of inclement weather, Mass would be canceled as is the currently policy. Cancellations would be announced on the radio and television.
What if we do nothing?
According to diocesan statistics and our own October Counts, we should reasonably expect that two Masses will be offered for the geographic area of our parish. At this time, offering only 2 Masses for our parish is not feasible given our space constrictions. If two Masses were offered at Parkersburg only, our situation would not be rectified because people from Reinbeck generally would not drive to Parkersburg. Other area churches area are already full. If we do nothing, one possibility would be to decrease to one Mass in Parkersburg, and then find some neutral, large, secular site to use for the Mass to the south, such as a school gymnasium.
Can we afford this project?
The parish currently has $564,000 in savings, $40,000 in checking, and remaining church debt at Parkersburg of $20,000. Other parishes similar in size have undertaken comparable projects and have succeeded.
How much did the property cost?
The parish purchased 10 acres of land for $110,000 from Leonard and Carol Posekany. This land is prime farmland. The fact that this land will not be tilled but utilized for construction also warranted its price. Land in this area is not readily available. Inquiries were made among a number of people and this couple was the only party willing to negotiate.
Will there be a social hall, rectory, CCD rooms in the new worship facility?
This facility will need to serve all the various areas of parish life. There will be a social hall and CCD rooms. We plan to have an area in which parents can participate in adult education while their students are in CCD. Currently the parish board of education is studying the question of whether to offer CCD classes at both Parkersburg and the new church, or simply having one program at the new church. If a single program is offered, the CCD Center in Parkersburg could be sold. The few movable walls envisioned for the CCD/hall space will be made up of panels that lock together, not the accordion type vinyl walls, thus affording good quality and a fine learning environment as well as flexibility for larger groups. These types of movable walls are even more sound proof than traditional 2x4 walls with insulation.
The committee has no plans for construction of a rectory at this site. The parish already owns two rectories: one in Grundy Center and the other in Parkersburg. Depending on the disposition of property and the priest’s preference, he could live at either place or perhaps even in the Cedar Falls area. The current pastor would continue to live in Grundy Center unless the rectory was sold with the church. Thus the presence of a resident pastor for the future cannot, of course, be assured. All four parish cemeteries will be retained for parishioner use. Additionally, Grant Township Cemetery, located immediately north of the new church, is available for burials.
How many people will be seated in the new church?
According to October count figures, our new church would need to seat approximately 430 people to accommodate parishioners from the southern portion of the parish at one Mass. Allowing for growth, for new parishioners from Hudson and for necessary space for special occasions (i.e. First Communion, Christmas, Weddings), both the building committee and the archdiocese believe seating for 500 is necessary. Reducing to 450 or 475 would provide minimal savings.
What will happen to the current buildings and land?
Once the new church is constructed, the current churches and sites in Dike, Grundy Center, and Reinbeck would be sold as well as the Parish Center in Reinbeck. The rectory in Grundy Center could be sold, if the buyer of the church desired to keep the properties together. If in the best interests of the parish and parishioners, sale of any of the properties could be arranged prior to moving to the new church, with possession occurring once the move is completed. The facilities and sites in Parkersburg would be maintained (unless a single CCD program is offered and/or the priest does not live in the rectory in Parkersburg) with a Mass celebrated there each weekend.
What will happen to the statues and furnishings in the current southern churches?
The parish Liturgical Art and Design committee will perform a study of the current treasures of each church and assess which ones should be utilized in a new church. Items not utilized will be relegated appropriately according to church law.
How will the money be raised for a new church?
The committee expects to conduct a capital campaign this fall. The total amount of the project must be accounted for in 3-5 year pledges. We already have some money in savings and the various properties will also generate revenue. Funds raised in the campaign are taxed at the usual archdiocesan income rate of 11%. This money funds the activities of the archdiocese, including salaries, utilities, programs and education of seminarians.
Will the people at Parkersburg be asked to help pay for the new church?
Yes. They are part of the single consolidated Holy Family Parish and will benefit from the construction of the new church as well through participation in programs and worship as well as better assuring priestly presence in this area in the future.
Is the Archdiocese supportive?
Yes. As you may recall from our discussions at the time of consolidation, the archbishop indicated that he was supportive of the idea of construction of a new church to serve the southern area of our parish. The committee has been in regular contact with archdiocesan officials to receive their input and direction. Diocesan leaders hope our project succeeds so as to serve a model for other areas. Currently there is no reason to think we will not have a priest in the future.