Timeline of Milestones and Events

There were several eventful stepping-stones on the path of change at St. Mary’s from 1996 to 2002.  You are invited to review the list below.  Perhaps it will trigger some memories for you.  Any corrections should be brought to my attention via an email to editor@thepivotalpastor.info

1996


January

  • Rev. Ron Lewinski appointed Pastor by Cardinal Bernadin.


June

  • Leadership meeting with Archdiocesan officials on the 8th to review status of parish and to determine whether it is time to initiate a formal process.
  • Fr. Ron shares “A Vision for the Future” at a Town Hall on the 17th. “Grateful for the Past…Hopeful for the Future” was adopted as a motto.


November

  • Parish Pastoral Council establishes the Planning and Development Commission
  • Parish forms a group of consultants with particular expertise related to the project.


Autumn

  • A Town Hall is held on the 21st.
  • An up-to-date survey of existing parish land is conducted.


November

  • Fielding & Associates (architects, later named Newman Architecture) is chosen to prepare a Masterplan.

1997

May

  • An evening ‘Walk Thru’ is conducted on the 12th.
  • Neighborhood visits are initiated to communicate the vision to parishioners in their homes.
  • A visit is made to St. Irene in Warrenville Illinois on the 15th to study features of their worship space.


July

  • A Walk-thru of the old church and related facilities is held on the 16th.


Spring

  • Discussion with the Archdiocese, including participation in area discussions regarding Catholic schools.
  • Soil tests, borings, topological surveys of parish properties, and research into options for water and sewer are performed.
  • The Building Fund is established, with an initial deposit of over $1 million.
  • The State of Illinois, Fremont Township, and Illinois Department of Transportation are contacted regarding road safety concerns where Erhart Road meets Route 60.


May

  • Parish Leadership hosts town hall meetings, Church and School facility walk-throughs, neighborhood pastoral visits, listening sessions, etc. to collect thoughts on parish needs.


June

  • Diantha Hall (school gymnasium/cafeteria) is air-conditioned, decorated, and blessed for Masses (the beginning of a five-year period).


August

  • Twenty acres of land is purchased and two mobile classrooms are installed adjacent to the west side of the school.


Fall

  • Planning & Development team and consultants participate in workshops and conduct visits of other parishes which have gone through a similar process.


September

  • A Parish Survey is conducted.


October

  • A Communications & Public Relations team is created.


1998

February

  • The first issue of the quarterly P&D newsletter, “The Bell” is produced by the Communications Committee to share news and activities about the project.
  • An ‘Appreciation Dinner’ is held on the 8th to recognize the many people involved in parish ministries. Fr. Ron is part of the entertainment “cast”.


Winter

  • A Masterplan is developed by St. Mary’s P&D team with Newman Architecture.


Spring

  • Negotiations are initiated for the purchase of an additional 12.7 acres of land south of the cemetery.


March

  • Town Hall is held on the 10th for the Planning and Development Commission presents a Masterplan jointly with the Charles Newman (architectural) firm.
  • Open House sessions are conducted after masses on two separate weekends (March 15th and April 19th) to review four Masterplan options. The final Masterplan (including three phases) is estimated at $21 million.
  • On the 24th, the Chicago Tribune publishes an insightful and favorable article about St. Mary parish.


April

  • After issuing Requests for Information from 25 architectural firms, requests for proposals (RFPs) were submitted to 14 of the firms.  These are subsequently narrowed down to eight for interviewing.
  • Identification of a liturgical consultant for the project is underway.


May

  • A Steering Committee for the Capital Campaign is established with guidance from the Development Office of the Archdiocese.
  • An information session is held on the 20th to help parishioners understand the elements of church design, including theological aspects.
  • The 2nd issue of “The Bell” is published.


June

  • Interviews of eight architectural firms conclude.


Summer

  • The parish’s first website is established to help keep parishioners, alumni, and Friends of St. Mary informed about the project.
  • A Wine Tasting & Auction is conducted as a fund raiser (in addition to the annual Pork and Corn Roast).


July

  • The land purchase of 20 acres is finalized.
  • The world-renowned architectural firm of Lohan Associates (designers for the expansions to Chicago’s Shedd Acquarium, the Planetarium, and Soldier Field) is selected.
  • On the evening of the 14th, NBC News airs a segment about education in the Chicago Archdiocese, featuring St. Mary parish.
  • Approval to acquire the additional 12.7 acres is obtained from the Archdiocese.


August

  • On the 9th, Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago, blesses the 33 acres of new land during the 24th annual Pork & Corn Roast festival.
  • Community Counselling Services Co. Inc. is selected as Capital Campaign consultants.
  • The Office of Divine Worship is selected as liturgical consultants.


September

  • Parish Gatherings are held on August 14, August 20 and September 11th to celebrate progress to date and to share plans for the future.
  • Planning and Development Commission members conduct meetings with Lohan Associates to discuss expectations.


October

  • The Capital Campaign, with a goal of over $10M (church, administrative/meeting space, and rectory), organizes committees and trains parish volunteers to begin the process of solicitation visit to parishioner homes.


November

  • Liturgical education is begun to increase parishioner’s understanding of how the new space will integrate with the Liturgy.
  • The ‘old church’ gets a facelift.
  • Ongoing ‘field trips’ are conducted by the architectural team and parish leadership.


December

  • As of the 2nd, the Capital Campaign has attained pledges of $3.8 million.
  • The land purchase of the additional 12+ acres is finalized.
  • A revised site plan and an early conceptual design are presented on the 15th to the Planning & Development leadership by Lohan Associates.  
  • The 4th issue of ‘The Bell’ is published.


1999

January

  • The Illinois Department of Transportation report is received.


February

  • A decision is made to delay a previously scheduled Town Hall meeting for presentation of the conceptual design.
  • An Hawaiian-themed ‘Appreciation Dinner’ is held, honoring Fr. Ron as part of the entertainment.


March

  • On the 25th, the parish feastday, the Archdiocese waives the usual requirements for this kind of project and approves the planning efforts. The parish is encouraged to proceed, including early construction of a rectory.


April

  • Wetlands and environmental studies are completed.
  • The Capital Campaign committee reports over $5.5 million received in pledges.
  • The 5th issue of The Bell is published.


May

  • A final Concept Design is produced by the architect.
  • Education and Spirituality presentation on church architecture to parishioners by Liturgical consultants.


June

  • A Town Hall is held on the 17th in Diantha Hall where the Conceptual Design is presesnt by Dirk Lohan, Principal of Lohan Associates.
  • The Conceptual Design is available to parishioners for examination and discussion after masses on June 26th and 27th.
  • Architects are provided a copy of parishioner feedback about the Conceptual Design and are instructed to proceed toward the schematic design phase.


July

  • Request for Proposals are initiated to various contractors.The 6th issue of The Bell is published.


August

  • The 25th annual Pork & Corn Roast is conducted, part of which is using ground for the last time prior to beginning construction.


November

  • Talks between parish, architect and contractor representatives result in cost reductions to offset escalating construction costs.


December

  • Documents are prepared for review by the Lake County office.
  • The 7th issue of The Bell is published.


2000

January

  • On January 18th, Francis Cardinal George approves the plans for the new church.
  • On January 27th a contract is signed with Brook Ridge Development for construction of the Rectory at the southwest corner of the property.
  • Lohan Associates’ Project Manager for construction, Jim Richards, visits the site for the first time.


February

  • A plan for construction of the rectory is initiated.
  • A Town Hall is held on the 16th.


March

  • ‘Gala 2000’, a formal parish social event, is conducted at the Concorde Banquet facility in Lake Zurich. A raffle features a grand prize of $10,000. The gala raises $30,000 for the Capital Campaign.
  • A groundbreaking ceremony is conducted on the 25th (the Feast of the Annunciation) by Bishop Gerald Kicanas. It is attended by Fr. Franz Tebartz-van Elst from Muenster, Germany. (The parish, originally called St. John the Baptist, was founded by German immigrants who farmed the surrounding land.)


April

  • A steeple plan is approved with variance from the County.


May

  • (The Site Development permit is obtained.)


August

  • Excavation begins.


September

  • The church construction permit is issued. The church foundation is poured. (Rectory construction begins.)


October

  • Masonry work begins on the North church wall. The parking lot is paved.


November

  • Fr. Ron presents the final design to the Diocesan Commission on Church Art and Architecture.


2001

January

  • Foundation work completes.  Steel erection begins.


March

  • Church masonry walls are 80% complete. The new rectory is occupied.


April

  • Exterior walls of the church and administrative space are completed.


May

  • Metal decking is placed on the roof of the new church and administrative space.


June

  • Cultured stone work forms a three-foot high perimeter around the exterior of the church and offices.
  • On the 16th, members of the Pastoral Council are given a personal tour by Fr. Ron of the church under construction, during which he explains the reasoning for several features.


July

  • HVAC, roofing, and electrical installation work is performed.


August

  • The concrete floor is poured in the facility.


September

  • The glass curtain wall is installed.


October

  • Brickwork and paving is performed.


November

  • Interior walls are installed, and the exterior base of the steeple is positioned.


December

  • Work is performed on drywall and mechanical systems.


2002

January

  • Interior finishing occurs and electrical lighting is installed.
  • On the 10th, the spire (steeple) is placed onto the roof of the new church.


March

  • A “Dedication Gala: Cornerstone to Our Future” celebration occurs on the 2nd, held at Concorde Banquets in Kildeer Illinois. Raffle tickets are 5 for $100 with proceeds benefiting the Capital Campaign Building Fund; Grand Prize is $10,000.
  • The Cornerstone is dedicated by Bishop Jerome Listecki on the 16th.


April

  • On the 14th, the new church (the 3rd in the parish’s history) is dedicated by Francis Cardinal George.