I can’t believe the summer went by so fast! We started up school this last week and I was blown away that it is that time already. I wanted to take the opportunity to update everyone on our parish planning over the summer months. As you are all aware we collectively did a lot of work putting together plans for our two-campus model prior to the merger and start of Our Lady of Hope in July. Over the summer there has been a lot of work done in terms of putting the rubber to the road.
Our Outreach ministries have been particularly active. The Cars to Housing ministry canvassed the neighbors and were confident enough in the feedback they received to recommend that I reach out and invite the start of the process of having families on our property. If this one comes to fruition a portion of the parking lot on the North side of the Chapel would be fenced off for the families to come and park in. There are still several more steps, but the process has started.
I have been in discussion with the City of Everett about hosting a Drop-in Center for the homeless population at Hensen Hall. As you will remember this was one of the chief recommendations of the Outreach Commission. I am partnering with MercyWatch to possibly run the Center in terms of day-to-day operations. If everything moves forward the center would be open from 11 am to around 7pm Monday through Friday with a hot meal being served from 5:00-6:30 pm or so. In my discussions with MercyWatch they are taking this very seriously and their plan includes the hiring of several staff members to take on the mission at hand. This is a big endeavor and so serious investigation is being made before we dive in. I already know that some site adjustments will be necessary if we move forward including the completion of perimeter fencing, hiring of a private security service and installation of some other security measures. In my partnership with the city, it sounds like funding can be secured so that this won’t be a cost to the parish.
I also will need to get the input of our neighbors and plan to have some meetings available for those in the community that need more information or have questions. I am unwilling to move forward on this one if all the pieces aren’t in place because it will have such a large impact on the local community. The idea is a great one though, our disadvantaged brothers and sisters would have a place to come and get their needs met in a single location so that they can receive the help they need to move to a better place. Again, we are still early in the process but things are moving forward. I will keep you apprised if more steps are taken in either of these areas of ministry.
