Third Sunday of Lent

Dear Parishioners,

     In the next week I will be writing a letter to the diocese asking that Sacred Heart Parish be allowed to accept a gift.  The gift is most unique.  When I first arrived in Moline I was approached by the management of First American State Bank.  They wanted our parish to buy their building since they had plans to move.  This is the property right behind Culemans Hall.  I listened to their proposal and consulted with parish leadership and we decided we were not going to buy their building.  The bank building would not be of any use to us. It was in poor shape. It also had asbestos. We were only interested in the lots that the bank building sat on. We knew that the building needed to be torn down.

     During the last several years First American State Bank has approached the leadership of Sacred Heart several times.  We have listened to their proposals, but we were not interested in buying.  Finally, we asked if they would give us the property.  To our surprise, about six months ago they said they would like to make a gift of the property to us.  We said that we could accept the building only if they removed the hazardous materials in the building.  We would be more likely to accept a clean building. This past week they owners of the Bank Property said that they would remove all hazardous materials and give us the building if we would accept it.

     Throughout these negotiations I have consulted with the parish finance committee, the development committee, our facilities committee and our parish council.  All these groups have given their advice.  And a consensus was reached as we discussed this issue that if First American Bank offered us the property as a gift with hazardous materials removed, we should accept the property.  We tried to do thorough research on this proposal so that there would be no surprise costs.

     What are some reasons for accepting the property:

    1. The cost of tearing the building down would be more than offset by the value of the property.

    2. We could have space “right behind” Culemans Hall to build on if we ever had the desire.

    3. The parking lot of the bank can be used for Culemans Hall.  Now people must walk across a busy street if they park during the school day.

    4. This area would provide a safer drop off point for Seton School Students and Religious Education students.  Now most children are dropped off in the street or must cross a street to get to school.

    5.  We will not have a deteriorating property at the edge of our campus.

     For all these reasons, I will be writing to the Diocese of Peoria to ask if we could accept this gift.  A lot of thought has gone in to this decision. We can not more forward without diocesan approval.  We will see what the diocesan administration says.  When I first mentioned this possibility about a year ago they were in favor. 

     Let’s pray that this will be a good decision for our parish community. Our parish leadership has tried to think of all the ramifications of this.  We believe we have been prudent.  Let’s pray that this is the case.

Blessings,

Fr. Mark