Rebuild His Church is a planned and deliberate $3.5 million campaign to address the most critical needs of the entire parish - Our Lady of Wisdom Newman Center, Holy Family, St. Ann-Bradley, and St. Ann-Penobscot Nation. While not an exhaustive list of needs, this effort will meet some of our most extreme needs and put into abeyance much of the continued erosion. Additionally, many of these changes will have a positive impact on the parish operating budget, as it will reduce repairs/maintenance, utility costs, and other direct upkeep.
Rebuild His Church is an investment in the future of the Catholic Church in central maine, and in generations of University of Maine students who look to Our Lady of Wisdom as their spiritual home away from home while on campus. The campaign will secure and improve upon the physical structures of the worship sites of the Parish of the Resurrection, ultimately preserving them for our children and grandchildren.
| Projects | Cost |
| Newman Center | $2,500,000 |
| Holy Family | $800,000 |
| St. Ann-Bradley | $100,000 |
| St. Ann-Penobscot Nation | $100,000 |
| Total | $3,500,000 |
Newman Center
Since it was first established in 1946, the Our Lady of Wisdom Newman Center has served students, faculty, staff, and surrounding community to the University of Maine. The current building is in greatest need of rebuilding. it no longer serves the function of worship space, ministry, and offices. The area serving as the Nave is significantly out of current accomodation standards; with the garden area, low-pitched roof, and general design, it doesn't stand up to the weather changes in Maine.
The Nave will be enclosed to serve as the worship space for Mass and other sacramental purposes. This approach will permit other church activities to occur while Mass is being conducted. The existing theatre seating format will be filled in to allow full acces and participation by all.
The exterior will be renovated, including more weather appropraite siding, adding stained glass windows, and providing separate entrances to the Nave and the balance of the Newman Center
Additionally, the roof line will be changed, creating a slope that will abate the mold and water damage issues that are significant mainenance issues.
Finally, the enclosed sitting space will be reclaimed as interior meeting space for meeting/social/ministry space.
Holy Family
Built in 1848, the former St. Joseph Church continues to serve the Old Town community. Maintenance on structure is a must. Specifically, there is an immediate requirement to repair the six buttresses around the church and repoint the brick exterior. Together, they provide the needed support for the walls and roofline. Furthermore, there is an additonal interior painting required to protect the space.
St. Ann's Bradley
To maintain use and preserve the Church, a number of amintenane projects must be addressed. Specifically, supprt from the Rebuild His Church campaing will:
We prayerfully ask every member of the parish, those who were directly or indirectly touched by the Newman Center, and others of the faith whose interest include helping young people remain in touch with her/his Church to please make a commitment to help this effort.
Allowing every family to make its most impactful level of support, gifts can be fulfilled in pledges over a period of up to five years. The challenge before us is real, significant, and immediate. Families will receive a pledge card to express their intention to give to Rebuild His Church.
In addition to looking within our parish for support, we invite the participtaion of University of Maine alumni and benefactors to Newman Centers around the country. The need to invest in the Center has never been greater; with up to eighty percent of practicing Catholic college and univeristy students leaving their campuses no longer practicing any faith, an investment in the Newman Center at the University of Maine is an investment in teh life of a young adult and the future generations of the faithful.
We are delighted to discuss with you all the giving options and allow you to determine which provides you the best method to demonstrate your commitment to our Church and its mission in the region.
We thank you for your prayer, consideration, and generosity as we Rebuild His Church.
More information about future plans for the Newman Center and its student programs is available from Black Bear Catholic.
Go to Black Bear Catholic