What would you like to know about St. Joan of Arc? Do you have a story about our parish or of general interest that you think others would like to hear? For story ideas, contact Jeff Rholl, jeff@stjoan.com.

The excitement is building, as the finishing of the new parish center is in full swing. The environmentally sensitive project is now showing itself to be a highly useable, aesthetically delightful nerve center for our growing parish needs. From the gracious and welcoming entryway, with a reception area, coffee bar, and seating to the conference rooms and offices bathed in natural light, the space offers a much needed home for the myriad of functions that are the fuel of our parish community life.

A recent tour offered the opportunity to see the evolving beauty, and to talk with the magician/project superintendent, George Wendt. Accompanied by Father George, Pete Eichten, and webphotographer Rick Spaulding, I was treated to a beautifully realized vision of our mission and community.

The emphasis on recycling and re-use has created some wonderful opportunities to be thrifty stewards of creation. Most interesting among all the materials recycled into this project are the beams salvaged from the bottom of Lake Superior, where they have been preserved by the frigid waters for 74 years. The project has been carried out by the Natural Step Process to diminish any negative effects on the environment. This includes reusing the bricks and the wood trim from the former office space, as well as donating or selling any materials which could not be incorporated into the new design. New materials were purchased with an emphasis on renewable resources. To this end, the flooring is cork, and furniture is either made of recycled materials or renewable ones.

Perhaps you have visited the new or remodeled home of old friends, and thought to yourself, "They have found the perfect expression of themselves in this home." That was my overwhelming impression as I previewed our new parish home. From the warm entryway, to the choice of wheat and seafoam as the dominant colors, to the splashes of salsa red and abundant sunlight filling all areas, including the stairways, this building says, "We welcome you wherever you are on your journey".

Entirely handicap accessible, the center can be used by all members of our parish community. Father George has presented you with a thorough tour in the bulletin of January 21, so I'd like to simply share some impressions of my own:

• A few of the fascinating details are statistical:
  • 288 panels of sheetrock, weighing 120 pounds apiece, had to be lowered through a hole in the main floor so it could be used to create the children's areas in the basement.
  • Construction crews used 44 pounds of solder - twice the usual quantity for a project of this size. This was largely the result of a veritable rabbit warren of copper piping for the systems throughout the center.
  • Another number that struck me was 23-the number of companies and sub-contractors involved in bringing this vision to reality.
• George Wendt displayed a wealth of people skills and humor in getting all of this coordinated. I'm sure this was tested in responding to Peter's question, "When is this job going to be DONE"? - asked as the footings for the initial construction were being formed!
• Other random observations include an appreciation of the child-sized rest rooms in the lower level. I'm sure this will make EVERYONE more comfortable!
• The sensation of being bathed in sunlight throughout the building will both reduce electrical costs, and promote the comfort of the inhabitants. Glass panels in the office doors allow light to flood the hallways, brightening the overall feel of the space.
• The very complex systems for climate control, communications, and fire sprinklers are contained in the soffits throughout the building, converging in the mechanical room in the basement.
• Linoleum throughout is of natural, renewable materials like wood, cork and linseed oil. A mini-United Nations is represented in the sources of products used. Linoleum from Germany, underflooring from Russia, cork from Portugal, ceramic tile from Spain, lights from Canada, with bulbs from Poland!
• The sound-absorbing flooring will be much more comfortable for the multiple uses of the center. Staff conference rooms, an expanded catering kitchen, and sensors which shut down systems in a room when it has been vacant for a pre-set period of time all speak to various pieces of the philosophy of this parish. Collaborative ministry will be facilitated in many ways, allowing for the many meetings that feed our mission.