March 12th, 2026

Dear Parishioner,
Each year, our parish identifies particular needs that help ensure the long-term health and vitality of our community. Some of these projects enhance the beauty of our campus or the experience of worship. Others are more practical but no less important, addressing the infrastructure that allows our parish life to function smoothly throughout the year.

This year, our summer project will focus primarily on an essential piece of infrastructure: the heating and cooling system in our church. Even though our Lord is the truest “refuge for the poor…and a shade from the heat,” we also like to have a cool Church in the summer (and a warm one in the winter)!

Our church relies on two rooftop HVAC units to regulate the temperature inside the building. Both units have now surpassed their expected service life. While the southern unit has continued to operate reliably, the northern unit has experienced repeated failures in recent years.

Unfortunately, repairing this unit has become increasingly difficult. Many of the parts required for maintenance are no longer manufactured. Technicians must often search for used components or pay a premium to have parts specially fabricated. As a result, repairs have become both unreliable and increasingly expensive.

For these reasons, it has become urgent to replace the northern rooftop unit before a major failure leaves us without adequate climate control in the church.

To determine the best path forward, we received three proposals from HVAC contractors.  After consultation with both the Finance Council and the Pastoral Council, I have decided to accept the proposal from Cline’s Heating and Air Conditioning, a trusted local company with an excellent reputation. If everything proceeds according to plan, replacing the northern rooftop unit will cost approximately $65,000.

Since the system must be shut down while the new unit is installed, it is most advantageous to complete the work during a period of mild weather. Doing so will allow us to maintain a reasonable temperature inside the church while the project is underway – both for the comfort of those attending Mass and as a safeguard for our beautiful pipe organ, which is best preserved when temperature and humidity remain as consistent as possible. For that reason, raising funds for this portion of the project is our most urgent priority.

If we are able to meet – and hopefully exceed – this initial goal, we would also like to address a second need within our parish facilities: the flooring in Pearson Hall.  Our carpet in Pearson Hall has served our community well for many years, but it is beginning to show its age. Even with regular cleaning, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain its appearance.

After researching several options, we believe the best long-term solution is to replace the carpet with a high-quality hybrid flooring system. This flooring will maintain a warm and attractive appearance while being far easier to clean and maintain. It is also highly durable and carries an estimated 25–30 year warranty, making it a true investment in the future of our parish facilities.

Based on the estimates we have received, removing the existing carpet and installing the new flooring would cost approximately $23,000.

If we are able to complete both parts of our summer project – replacing the northern HVAC unit and installing new flooring in Pearson Hall – the total cost would be $88,000.

Anything raised over this amount will be rolled into our next summer project.  Although we refer to this as our Summer Project, we hope to begin the HVAC work as soon as sufficient funds have been raised so that installation can occur during a period of mild weather. Therefore, I ask you to prayerfully consider supporting this effort through the enclosed envelope or through our parish website by selecting “Summer Project” under Online Giving.

Our parish has always been blessed with generous parishioners who understand that caring for our buildings is part of caring for our community. These projects will ensure that our church remains comfortable for worship and that Pearson Hall continues to serve as a welcoming space for the many gatherings that strengthen the bonds of our parish family.

Thank you for your continued generosity and support of St. Augustine Parish.

God bless!