Denver Catholic

6 I FINANCIAL: CHARITABLE GIVING DECEMBER 4, 2013 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER Seminary construction in full swing Do Your Investments Reflect Your Faith? Comprehensive, Multi-Generational Financial Planning Faith-Based & Socially Responsible Investment Options Small/Medium-Sized Businesses & Self-Employed Retirement Plans Retirement Income Strategies Trust Asset Management Life, Long Term Care & Disability Insurance Tax-Efficient Insurance & Investment Strategies Teresa M. Howes Diane Zing Vice President of Investments Investment Advisor Representative CLU, ChFC, CASL, AIF® Investment Advisor Representative (303) 749-6115 (303) 697-6118 www.dianezing.com www.tmhowesfinancial.com Securities and advisory services offered through National Planning Corporation (NPC). Member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Trilogy Financial Services, T.M. Howes Financial LLC, Catholic Way Investment, LLC and NPC are separate and unrelated entities. PHOTO BY JULIE FILBY/DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER Donors reminded of their key role in Church's future BY JULIE FILBY CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FROM GERKEN'S Sterling medal with chain S 1825/20 Indoor and Outdoor Nativity Sets $41.75 Large Selection! Pendants, Rosaries, Crucifixes Sterling • Gold Filled • 14KT Sterling Silver Rosary $63.95 #44-105-08 (shown left) Large Selection Available Holy Family Figures, 3 piece set. 27.5'' high. Resin-stone mix. 39530 $315.00 set. Three Kings, 3 piece set. 26.5'' high. 38010 $475.00 set. $10.00 Off Any Purchase Totaling $50 Or More Expires 12-25-13 Family Bible Religious supplies Fine Art Edition $48.50 1175 North Santa Fe Drive Store Hours: M-Sat: 9 to 5:30 pm (303) 534-8233 After months of preparation and planning, phase one of construction to upgrade Denver's St. John Vianney Theological Seminary is well under way. Last May workers emptied the 86-yearold brick building at 1300 S. Steele St. in south Denver, and began demolition and removing asbestos. Then during the week of Nov. 18, they began replacing the building's antiquated plumbing, electrical and heating systems; as well as installing new windows, air conditioning, and safety features such as a sprinkler system. "I've told people if I take a before and after picture, you wouldn't see the difference," explained Deacon John Neal, vice president of finance and operations. "But if you live, work or study here you'll certainly feel it." Improvements, he said, will include: an electrical system that's up to code, water that runs clean from the get-go, showers and sinks with reasonable water pressure, predictable and consistent heating, windows that keep heat in during the winter and out in the summer and air conditioning for the first time. "It's a mechanical and systems remodel, not a beautification project," he continued. "The building is already beautiful." Coordinating renovations to the 1927 building has presented challenges, more so than new construction would. "You get surprised on occasion … (but) we have the top personnel in the state working on this," he said, referring to general contractor Haselden Construction and architect The Abo Group. "The place has been gone over with a fine-tooth comb, and the drawings adjusted to take into account the original construction as well as upgrades through the years. "It's been managed very well, inside and out," he added. Renovations were made possible thanks to the generosity of 19,000 households in the Denver Archdiocese pledging to A New Harvest, the first-ever, archdiocesan-wide capital campaign for the two seminaries: St. John Vianney and Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary next door. The campaign aimed to raise $35 million—$9 million for capital repairs and $26 million for an endowment to help cover operating expenses for years to come. A HASELDEN Construction worker performs demolition in the "Coal Hole" in the basement of Denver's St. John Vianney Theological Seminary Nov. 27. The room, which serves as a lounge, is where coal used to be delivered to the 1927 building. A NEW HARVEST Contact: The Catholic Foundation of Northern Colorado Call: 1-888-754-1470 Email: hgoldwire@thecatholic foundation.com Mail: Gifts for a New Harvest, P.O. Box 8478, Pueblo, CO 81008-8478 About $42 million was pledged and $16 million has been collected, according to Deacon Steve Stemper, president and CEO of The Catholic Foundation of Northern Colorado, who collects and manages the funds on behalf of the seminaries. Currently about $5 million in pledges are past due, Stemper said. "I'd say we're a little behind where we'd expect to be," he told the Register. "With this significant amount of past due pledges, we need everyone that is capable of supporting this to do so, in order for us to still reach our goal." He reminded donors during this "gift-giving season" that when they give to build the body of Christ, "God is never outdone in generosity." "When the faithful donate, they're not only helping the seminary campaign, but indirectly they're building up the communion of saints, and ensuring donors' legacies through the prayers of generations to come, who will be grateful for their generosity," he continued. "We need priests to have the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and reconciliation … (and) we need to not only replace priests that are retiring and dying, but we need additional priests to facilitate, in the words of Pope Francis' just issued apostolic exhortation, 'a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ.'" Deacon Neal expressed his gratitude to the thousands of donors who have stepped up to support their future priests. Currently there are 115 men in formation. "To make this facility what it needs to be is one of the greatest gift people can give," he said from his office in the seminary's Cardinal Stafford Library, where 40-plus faculty and staff members now office. "This doesn't happen but for their generosity." Phase one remains on track to be done mid-to-late May, he said. The shorter second phase, renovating the library and refectory (dining hall), is expected to start next summer. To make a donation or pledge, call 1-888-754-1470 or email hgoldwire@ thecatholicfoundation.com.

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