Functional infrastructure

Imagine sitting directly behind home plate in a new softball stadium and finding that you can’t see the plate over the top of the wall separating the stands from the field. Have you ever been in a classroom that lacked both interior ventilation and windows that open? How about an auditorium in which the view of the stage from some seats is blocked by floor-to-ceiling columns? Have you ever had a difficult time getting to Mass because the church parking lot was overloaded? And how unpleasant and unsafe is it to attend a religious service or work in a building that has buckets sitting about to catch water dripping from a leaky ceiling?

While such cases may be the exception rather than the rule, they illustrate the importance of functional facilities that complement and positively support the activities going on within them. A dysfunctional structure or space can only hamper the activity taking place — be that a sporting event, an educational activity, a social gathering, or a religious service.

The next planning principle in our diocesan Road Map for Pastoral, Program, and Facility Needs 2008-2013 is “Functional Infrastructure.” This principle reminds us of the importance of stewardship — managing or taking care of church resources and responsibilities. Stewardship often refers to the gifts of time, talent and money that we share in our parishes.

In the context of our Road Map, stewardship also means the renewal and maintenance of our facilities to ensure that they support attendance at and participation in the sacramental life of the church. We want our churches to be dignified, welcoming, sacred places of worship. Schools and other educational spaces should facilitate the intellectual, social, physical and spiritual life of those gathered to teach and learn. Well-maintained living spaces renew the spirit and the body. Properly designed work spaces enhance productivity.

Maintaining and repairing facilities is a challenge for all organizations. It is particularly difficult during times of scarce resources when the funding normally set aside for this purpose is often diverted to provide basic services. The consequences of such diversion can be serious health and safety issues, such as sewage spills, or buildings and grounds that are not clean, adequate in size, or inviting places to study, work or worship.

While the comfort of those attending our churches and using church facilities is important, stewardship requires a fundamental commitment to their health and safety.

Stewardship is an attitude of respect for the sacrifices of those who have gone before and made possible the construction of our churches, schools and facilities. It means a shared responsibility to renew these resources. This, of course, does not preclude the construction of new facilities when the needs of the faithful warrant it.

A functional parish and diocesan infrastructure requires attention to a variety of stewardship activities. These include personnel trained in “best practices,” routine reviews of space utilization, multi-year budgeting and planning (including repair and replacement schedules), and ongoing fundraising. Acquiring new property and facilities to address current and future needs is especially important for areas of our diocese that are experiencing significant population growth.

Being mindful of the importance of functional facilities and the infrastructure practices needed to maintain and renew these facilities is a reflection of our devotion to our faith and our church. It is one more way we witness to Jesus.