For an update on Year End Finances, Refrigerator Purchase and our recent Organ Sale

The Cupola...I spoke too soon! Last week I had given an update on the status of the cupola and plaster damage and that we had not had a leak for at least 9 months, then came the driving rain and wind from the southwest on December 30th and behold we had water leaking from the cupola. A new leak has also developed above the statue of St. Catherine Laboure. It seems that the only time that the leak appears is when there is a strong driving wind and rain coming from the southwest. As mentioned last week, we are unable to address the cupola leak until we have paid off the asphalt project and have accumulated enough funds from the Witness to Hope Capital fund drive to fund the cupola repair. Fr. Tim

The asphalt that was laid in the fall is not acceptable. There are pools of water that are collecting in many areas. Alan Olson, from the Diocese of Lansing has been our advocate on the project. He met with representatives of McKearney Asphalt of Lansing to find a solution to our problem. According to Mr. Olson, in the spring, a great deal of the current asphalt will be milled up and reinstalled. The work might also entail the removal and re-installation of the new curbing around the flag pole area. We paid half of the bill prior to the beginning of the project and will pay nothing further until the Diocese signs off on the work. This delay in paying the remaining portion of the bill will give us an opportunity to accrue more funds in our Witness to Hope pledge account., which will reduce the amount of our loan form the Diocese. I encourage you to keep up with your Witness to Hope pledges. I will keep you informed when I hear anything further.