Dear People of Saint Anne,
As you have read, the Legacy of Faith Campaign Executive Committee has been working to finalize plans for renovations and improvements to the Church. Please visit https://stannebarrington.org/legacyoffaith for a full description of these projects.
The response to the new plans has been overwhelmingly positive, and some of you have asked questions about them. Below are further answers and explanations for the improvements planned for the Gathering Space.
Question: The coffee buffet design is beautiful! However, will it be practical, given that the space is to be used to serve food to adults and children?
Answer: Yes. While the artist rendering includes stools in front for effect, the new coffee buffet will not have them. It will be an open hospitality surface for serving, as it is now. A feature that is not evident in the rendering is a lower hospitality service counter between the buffet and the back wall for serving children and the disabled.
Question: Is Saint Anne opening a coffee shop in the Gathering Space?
Answer: No! This area will be used for the same purposes as it has served in the past – coffee and donuts on Sundays after 9 and 11am Masses during the school year, a serving area for parish events held in the Gathering Space such as wakes and funerals of loved ones, Fire Side Chats, Women’s Club meetings, School Eighth Grade Graduation, etc. We hope that the new design will encourage more parishioners to meet one another in this beautiful space.
Question: Why do we need tables and chairs in the Gathering Space?
Answer: During the survey phase of Legacy of Faith, many parishioners expressed the desire to have small meetings (of two to four people) in the Gathering Space. The big couches and low coffee tables by the windows are not conducive to such meetings, especially where a writing surface is needed. Moreover, the current furniture is quite worn and unsightly. In response, we planned for smaller tables and regular chairs.
We are confident that the changes will create a more inviting and updated place of worship and fellowship for our community. If you have any other questions about the plans or your pledge, please contact Andrea Wirt, Campaign Coordinator, at LegacyofFaith@stannebarrington.org. Thank you for your generosity to Saint Anne and Legacy of Faith!
Sincerely,
Legacy of Faith Campaign Executive Committee
Greg and Anna Brown (Honorary Legacy of Faith Co-Chairs), Bill Graff (Campaign Executive Committee Chair), Julie Andrews, Margaret Buckstaff, Joe Elias, Christine Jodoin (Parish Council Chair), Fr. Bernie Pietrzak, David Wirt (Parish Finance Council Chair), Andrea Wirt and Jim Young