Dear Parishioners and Visitors,
At its last meeting, the members of the parish’s Executive Council opted to redeem the $55K Certificate of Deposit (CD) of parish funds that was maturing, in order to address some of the repairs needed in the church building here at St. Joseph’s. Of immediate concern is the safety issue constituted by the carpeting in the nave and the narthex, which is rippling and separating at the seams. (Porter & Curtis Insurance Company, our risk-management provider, monitors such safety and fall-risk potentials on our church campus.) Plans are underway to replace the damaged carpeting, and to install a frontal rail that will provide kneeling for people seated in the front pews, increase the depth of the transept to accommodate caskets at funerals and bridal parties at weddings, while ensuring the orderly distribution of Holy Communion at these liturgical celebrations. I am grateful to Steven Babin, and to Faith and Andre Desjardins for their consultations and help with this project.
Last week, at the meeting of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Chairperson Mike Iarroci and I conducted the requisite property inspection as required quarterly by Porter & Curtis. As the latest analysis indicates, the parish is compliant with all building, grounds, electrical, chemical, and industrial requirements set forth in the inspection regulations. In addition, the State of NH and Hampshire Fire Protection Company visited the church last week for the annual elevator and fire-alarm inspections. This resulted in a favorable report for the elevator and the renewal of the inspection certificate. While the fire-alarm system also passed inspection, it was noted that the alarm panel will need to be replaced soon to update its full functioning capacity.
Everything is time and money, as the saying goes. Thank you for any contributions you would like to make towards these necessary projects. Mostly, though, thank you for your patience and for bearing witness to your call of faith to the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
With prayerful best wishes,
Fr. John Mahoney
