Honoring the Past, Committing to the Future aptly describes the motivation for our drive.  Several months ago, contractors and engineers were asked to inspect the Cathedral and parish properties.  The urgent needs that they cited were reviewed and discussed at length with parish councils.  Over the past fifty-five years, time and weather have dramatically and adversely affected the Cathedral. Action has become necessary to preserve the Mother Church of the Diocese, where so many gather often to celebrate diocesan events.

Thanks to some very generous early donations, our Chapel has been renovated into a beautiful and sacred worship space, and the dedication of the Chapel is set for later in July.

Several other major items are included in our project:

• Cathedral and rectory steps, sidewalks and related landscaping to alleviate water drainage problems.
• Renovation of the Bishop Brzana Hall.
• Relocation of Cathedral Baptistery.
• Removal of stains on the exterior of the Cathedral and repairing of stained glass windows.
• Installation of a new public address system.
• Improvements to the lighting in the Cathedral.
• Repairing to the Stations of the Cross.
• Building a new cemetery garage.
• Completing necessary repairs to the Bishop Conroy School of Religion (windows, parking lot and driveway).

To date we have received cash and pledges of over $1,409,058.24 toward our goal of $1.6 million..  Anyone wishing to find out more about our campaign is asked to call  Father Terry at the rectory, 315-393-3930, or to e-mail the parish office manager, gbouchard@saintmaryscathedral.net.