Rectory Deeper Purpose

Repurposing or Creating a more Community Purpose for Saint Mary of the Mount Rectory
 
Saint Mary of the Mount Parish has envisioned a comfortable space for gathering, education, ministry and mission for at least the past four plus years. This was the vision behind the new parish center, which would not only include all of these types of events, but also a large hall. The hope for the hall was that it would be used for parish functions, and as a rental facility for wedding receptions, etc. The intention of the parish hall was not only to be multi-purpose space for the parish, but that it would be a source of sustainable income. The income would then fund the building itself, as well as mission activities for the parish. We are still working toward building the parish center and hall. In the meantime, we have this large rectory building that is currently underutilized for the use of our two parishes. The rectory has 20 regular rooms, 2 kitchens, 5 bathrooms, and a large multi-room basement.  
 
The Saint Mary of the Mount Rectory/Office is a house with casual and comfortable spaces. These spaces are very conducive to nontraditional classes for young and old, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, small groups like Alpha and our Small Discipleship Groups, as well as for meetings and gatherings that support our ministry and mission.  It has already been shared with the Religious Ed catechists and families that we will use the rectory space for our newly combined Prince of Peace/Saint Mary of the Mount religious education program, beginning in late September. 
 
We currently occupy two separate office spaces for administrative needs in our parishes. As the Saint Mary of the Mount Rectory becomes our combined parish education, meeting and mission center, we are in the process of moving all administrative offices to the Prince of Peace Parish Center. Soon, the Prince of Peace Parish Center will be your one-stop shop for all parish administrative needs, whether you’re from Prince of Peace or Saint Mary of the Mount! Please be patient, as these processes take time. We will probably not all be under one office roof until the beginning of the new year (but we’re working on it)! 
 
Living arrangements for our priests will be as follows: Fr. Daniel and Fr. Michael Harcarik (who is retired and in residence), will continue to live at the Saint Adalbert Rectory. Fr. Michael Stumpf and Fr. Peter (who is a student priest in residence) will be moving to a house on Bigham Street in Mt. Washington. This house was originally used as the convent when Bishop Leonard/Saint Mary of the Mount school was still open. Since that time there has been a priest or resident priest living there. The last was Fr. Joe Mele who this past April became the Administrator of Sacred Heart and Saint Raphael.  
 
We will continue to study the best use of our parish facilities and spaces as we envision our future On Mission needs. Keep praying!