Dear Family,
We are just a few days away from starting the sanctuary renovation, and there are still so many details to be smoothed out. It is thrilling to know that after four years +, we are ready to "break ground"! As I write this update, the materials for the renovation are sitting off the coast of Houston, TX. The ship carrying our containers is waiting to pull into port and should dock today, Friday, February 25th, 2022.
As you may know, shipping has become very difficult, and many challenges are causing delays and increasing the cost of transportation, especially when the shipment is international. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have to pay $10,000.00 to ensure that our containers get delivered on time; otherwise, we could face having our containers delayed by 60 days. In addition to this added expense, we are also facing an additional fee of $9,000.00 to cover the cost of two flatbed trucks to deliver the contents of the shipping containers to St. Anne. I have to admit that this is quite frustrating because our hands are tied, and we are at the mercy of the shipping industry and the challenges it is facing in our times.
I want to ask you to please keep this intention in your prayers as we have a very narrow window of time to accomplish all of this work in time for Palm Sunday.
This week we find ourselves adjusting to our "temporary living" arrangements with the liturgical setting being moved out of the sanctuary and onto the floor of the Nave. Perhaps there is an opportunity here for us to reflect on the reality of our "temporary living" arrangement in this life. We share in the hope that one day we will see our Lord face to face. We know that this life is not always easy and that many times through this life, we must face discomforts, hardship, suffering, and persecution. Our Christian hope is that we will merit the gift of eternal life where there will be no suffering or hardship by God's grace. What a fitting reflection for us as we are about to enter the Holy Season of Lent. Thank you all in advance for your patience and cooperation with our temporary setup. It is not ideal, but it is functional, and it will see us through the next five weeks of our renovation until the day when the curtain comes down, and we can gaze at the beauty of our new sanctuary!