Still looking for money to get St. Mary Church started
Still looking By Bill Rea

Subcommittees are being formed and the steering committee is still hard at it in the efforts to build a new St. Mary Catholic Church in Nobleton.

"We are in this together," declared Fr. Paul Hancko as he addressed the latest public update session on the project.

The next session is planned for April 22, after Mass.

Steering committee chair Elio Bellon updated the audience on some of the anticipated costs of the proposed first phase of the project, commenting some of the hard costs, like drywall, seemed a little excessive, while soft costs, like fees and permits, were coming in a little lower. That means they still anticipate the first phase will cost about $2 million, and $1 million has to be raised locally before the arch diocese will put up the other half.

At the last update session earlier this month, Bellon had reported they were up to roughly $600,000, and they were about to start collecting donations for specific items, like windows, Stations of the Cross, etc., and these items have been moving. "I knew it was going to be like hot cakes," he remarked.

So far, they have sold all 14 Stations of the Cross, some windows, a large cross, the baptismal fountain and two front doors, meaning about $140,000 has been added to the coffers.

The project is being phased in order to make the initial costs more manageable, so features like the tower, finished balcony, pews, paving of the parking area, etc., are going to wait until later. Bellon said they might offer the pews for contributions, but not yet. He said they will be about 18 feet in length and cost about $150 per foot, and roughly 30 pews will be needed, not counting the smaller ones.

"We're a quarter of a million short," he declared.

But he also said there are more than 350 families in the parish who have never been approached to make any financial contributions. Getting $1,000 from each of them would easily put the effort over the $1 million mark. Bellon also expressed the hope that not all of these families would stop at $1,000.

He added the names of all families making contributions will be recognized.

Bellon stated they are looking for other ways to raise funds, but stressed the bottom line is they will need the money as soon as possible.

He distributed a list of 15 items that need to be accomplished, ending with the actual blessing of the church. Setting up the three subcommittees was the third item on the list. The next is seeking approval of the financial plan and project budget, and Bellon said that is pending raising the $1 million.

Committee member Paul Colucci stressed the need to maintain a positive attitude on the project.

He also said they are looking for some corporate sponsorship. While he couldn't provide details, he said there has been interest found. "It does look promising," he said.

Committee member Livio Mascarin reminded everyone they were able to raise $150,000 in just three weeks.

"There's money out there," he said. "We just have to shake more cages."

Bellon also stressed the need to be positive, stating that's what the steering committee is working to promote.

"This is like a full-time job for me," he declared. "We are committed to this."

Explaining committee structure, Bellon said Hancko, as pastor, is responsible for all that happens in the parish, and he has entrusted this project to the committees. The three subcommittees; building, finance and fund-raising, have been mandated by the chancery at the arch diocese. Bellon himself is charing the building committee, while Colucci is charing the finance committee and Chris Andrews is heading up fund-raising.

Bellon said the membership of the fundraising committee had not been confirmed by last week's meeting, but he said they hope to have that taken care of by the end of the month. He also said this committee will not be actively involved in collecting money, but will be responsible for guidelines on how to go about it.

"We need the church and we're looking to you people to be as enthused about it as we are," Bellon declared, pointing out a number of people have come forward to contribute equipment and supplies. Former Township councillor Peter Grandilli, he said, has committed to installing a public address system for the church.

"Just put your faith in our ability to go through with it," Bellon asked.

There were some concerns expressed about whether this church will be sustainable. Bellon pointed to the growth soon expected in Nobleton, adding there are some area parishioners who don't attend church because services are held in a school.

"You build it and they'll all come," one man in the audience exclaimed.

Mascarin added it's hard to beat the proposed location, at the corner of Highway 27 and Mactaggart Drive.

"It's a no-brainer," he

declared. "It's a Yonge and

Bloor location."

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