Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does “renovate and update the church” and “reallocate spaces” mean?
A: We are working with a local, award-winning architecture firm to refine the scope of work for our renovation and space updates based on costs and solutions. The church has need of new pew and kneeler cushions, better handicapped accommodations in the church (wheelchair spaces, ramp for sanctuary), and lighting and sound system improvements. In addition, some updates include a new altar, sanctuary furnishings, and baptismal font along with looking at updating wall colors, the look of the sanctuary, a different placement of the Blessed Virgin Mary than behind the choir, and a way to incorporate the new gift of many relics of the saints into the church.
Reallocating spaces means that our gathering spaces for groups and meetings are problematic with school security and conflicts. There is the parish hall and parish hall meeting room, but they are used daily for school/EEC usage. There are the Marion Room and Emmaus Room inside the school, but it is not best practice for school security to open them for groups when school is in session. The renovation hopes to address these issues.
Q: How did you come up with my request amount?
A: The sacrificial pledge Fr. Greg is inviting each person to consider is based on four things:
- The range of giving shared during the planning study.
- Tithing history at Prince of Peace.
- A person’s capacity to give (based on publicly available information [e.g., past political donations, SEC filings, etc.]).
- Individual situations (e.g. retirement, health concerns, job loss, sale of a business, etc.).
Q: Why are we focusing on these priorities and not others like building a new Community Center?
A: The priorities are based on the results from the Planning Study, conducted in the summer of 2024. In that study, 572 responses were received and the following goals received the following “high” priority ratings: Renovate our church and sanctuary (7.1%); Reallocate and upgrade space in our school, parish hall, church and offices (5.8%); Update our Early Education Center (4.9%); Build a new multipurpose community center (4.2%); and Fund Parish Endowment (3.8%).
Q: Why are we addressing these needs now?
A: Based on the 2023 Master Planning Study and the recent Planning Study, our campus has pressing aesthetic and functional needs, and there is a collective willingness to address those needs. Plus, construction costs only increase over time, so the sooner we act the less we’ll spend.
Q: What architecture firm are we working with and how did we choose them?
A: We are working with Kansas City-based SFS Architecture. They were chosen by Fr. Greg and the Building Council after interviews based on their experience and a number of other factors. Importantly, because they’ve worked with Prince of Peace in the past, they’ve been able to get up to speed quickly.
Q: Who's in charge of making design decisions during the church renovation?
A: Fr. Greg and the Building Committee – with expert guidance from the architecture firm – make decisions once there is consensus. Also, designs will have to have approval from the Archdiocese.
Q: Who's on the Building Committee and how were they selected?
A: The committee consists of Dan Bentzinger, Andy Wurtenberger, Karen Denning, Courtney DeNegri, Kevin Couter, Eric Pickert, Rod Morrow (parish council representative), and Bob Cowdry (finance council representative). The committee, per Archdiocesan rules, is to be 7-9 members who broadly represent the parish so that was goal in the selection by Fr. Greg.
Q: Are we starting from scratch on the renovation plans, despite all the work that was done last time with Fr. Jerry?
A: We are using that work as a starting point. The same architect drew up those plans, so we are now building on and modifying those plans.
Q: Are we planning to install a large or small baptismal font, and if so...where will it go?
A: We don’t know for sure at this time, but likely it will be bigger than our current movable font, and if approved by the Archdiocese it will be at the back of church as you enter from the narthex.
Q: Why is a permanent altar necessary?
A: The Catholic Church strongly encourages it for the sign this conveys. The General Instruction for the Roman Missal #298 states, “It is desirable that in every church there be a fixed altar, since this more clearly and permanently signifies Christ Jesus, the Living Stone (1 Pt 2:4; cf. Eph 2:20).”
Q: If I agree to make three annual contributions, when will they be scheduled for?
A: The timing of contributions may be specified on your pledge card and/or set up with our accounting office.
Q: Are we considering raising money for more maintenance-related updates?
A: We are constantly budgeting for our facilities’ maintenance needs. Larger, campaign-worthy updates may be considered in the coming years.
Q: What does displaying relics even mean?
A: A relic is a small piece of a saint’s body or a personal belonging of them. They already in little cases usually with a glass front for visibility. To display them means to have some space that will hold them and that they are visible for people to see and pray with, something perhaps a bit like a trophy case.
Q: Are we keeping "tomorrow's dollars" in mind, that any estimate we get from the architects and/or engineers will be ~30% lower than the reality?
A: Yes.
Q: How will the relics be displayed?
A: Likely behind glass to protect them, but make them visible. The location will likely be in the church or narthex in a spot people can look at them and pray with them.
Q: Are we planning for all of the relics to fit in the case in the sanctuary?
A: Probably not all 700. Some of them are duplicates anyway. We are considering a number of options like cycling through them over time, or maybe displaying some of them in the school somewhere.
Q: Will the teacher's lounge be moved?
A: Yes, if the school cafeteria moves, the teacher’s lounge must move with it.
Q: Where will kids go for a tornado drill if the basement is reconfigured/changed?
A: They will still be able to go to safe spaces in the basement.
Q: Are there any exterior updates planned?
A: There could be some maintenance issues addressed.
Q: When will building projects likely begin?
A: It’s hard to know. We want to start as quickly as possible. Archdiocese Rules state that 100% of a project must be pledged and 50% cash before construction can start.
Q: What is the timeframe for donations/pledges?
A: 3 years.
Q: So it won’t be all done at once?
A: Correct – the construction can go longer than the 3 years.
Q: Do we have enough detail to start grouping projects?
A: Not yet, we are looking at the best bang for the buck. If it goes well then we can do more.
Q: So we have to sit on the cushions longer?
A: Yes, but we are solving the comfort challenges in due time.
Q: Will the Gala be part of the campaign?
A: No, but fund the need could compliment the campaign projects.
Q: Will the tiny lights in the ceiling of the sanctuary blink?
A: Maybe...it depends on the cost and whether or not that kind of lighting offers the biggest bang for the buck.
Q: Have we considered security needs when thinking about renovations?
A: Definitely! We assess security needs annually, with the help of local professionals. Consistent with that practice, we will consult with experts to know what to keep in mind before we renovate.
Q: What's our timeframe?
A: It depends on how quickly we take in pledges and down payments, but we will likely proceed in a staged manner. In compliance with Archdiocesan rules, we will only proceed with each project once 100% of the expected cost (of that project) is pledged and at least 50% of the cost is in the bank.
Q: Will we be able to celebrate Mass in the sanctuary when it is under construction?
A: It depends on the nature of the project we're working on, but we will try to schedule renovations in a way that minimizes impact (on worship) while maximizing efficiency.