Heating and Cooling our Parish Home

The work is nearly complete, but there is still more to do to bring this project across the finish line.

Earlier this year, we reflected on an important truth: “Mission needs a home, and together we are its stewards.” That conviction has guided our project to replace the heating and cooling system at Our Lady of Sorrows.

Our old system has served the parish for nearly thirty years and had reached the end of its useful life. Replacing it will help ensure that OLS remains a welcoming, comfortable and accessible place of worship, prayer, formation and community for many years to come.

Where things stand

The installation of our new heating and cooling system is now nearing completion. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported this project through our monthly Parish Maintenance Fund collections, special gifts, online donations and prayers.

The total project budget is $1,120,000, and we still have nearly $230,000 to raise. We are making good progress, and we invite parishioners to help us complete this important investment in our parish home.

Why this matters

Over the past several years, we have invested deeply in parish programs and ministries—and rightly so. Through Alpha, faith formation, prayer, sacramental preparation and outreach to those in need, we continue to help people encounter Christ and grow in faith.

But even the strongest ministries need a place where people can gather, pray, learn and serve comfortably and safely. Caring for our church building is part of caring for the community and mission entrusted to us.

About the new system

After considering several options, we selected a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system. It offers energy efficiency, reliable heating and cooling, and greater control over comfort in different areas of our building. We also considered solar and geothermal options, but VRF was determined to be the most practical and cost-effective choice for our parish.

The project also includes related work to repair and insulate the church attic, improving the building’s energy efficiency.

How can I help?

There are several ways to contribute toward the remaining project costs:

• Weekend collection: Our monthly Parish Maintenance Fund collection supports this project.
• Online donation: Give through the parish website’s online donation options.
• TipTap Pay: Use the TipTap Pay stand in the church foyer.
• Monthly giving: Consider spreading your contribution over time through pre-authorized giving.

Every contribution makes a difference. There is no suggested amount; each of us is invited to discern what is appropriate according to our circumstances. If a one-time gift is difficult, a regular monthly contribution may be a more manageable option.

Donations are eligible for official tax receipts, which are generally issued in February for contributions made during the previous calendar year.

Thank you for the generosity, care and faith you continue to show Our Lady of Sorrows. Together, we can bring this project to completion and preserve our parish home for the generations who will worship, grow in faith and serve here in the years ahead.

Mission needs a home, and together we are its stewards.

Want to hear Fr. Chris's homily that shares more details about this fundraising campaign? Click here. (Homily starts at 25:22)

Photo by Eric Maxmonko