Oct-Nov 2008
OCT 20-24
NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY
Out of adversity comes
opportunity has been played out countless times these past 4
months. In
the midst of this disaster we have been truly blessed to have been able to work with many, many
volunteers (7200 hours worth now) who have stepped up and made a difference in this flood recovery.
The latest example of this was a crew of 20 Notre Dame University students who donated their fall break
and made the 5 hour trip to Cedar Rapids to help us out.
The crew spent 3+ days here at St Wenceslaus removing all the contaminated dirt and rock from the
rectory basement below the offices. They also helped pour concrete in Chihak Hall, removed the last of
the rock from Chihak Hall and brought sand to the rectory basement so a concrete floor can be poured.
They spent another day + working at a house that was severely damaged from the flood.
Thank you to sophomores Hugh McDonald and Noelle Hilmer and ND Alumni President John Casko for
organizing this and to The Breaking Bread Coalition for providing lunches. Thank you to LaSalle Middle
School for hosting the crew and to the volunteers who coordinated all aspects of this week. Monday and
Tuesday volunteers from Queen of Saints Parish Cluster made and served the lunches. Wednesday
St. Patrick's-Fairfax hosted lunch and Thursday John XXIII did. St Wenceslaus volunteers also brought
a large more snacks throughout the week. A dinner was held Thursday night to celebrate and thank the crew.
It is noteworthy that this crew not only gave of themselves all week long but also had taken a collection
and made very generous financial contributions to both the resident whose property they cleaned up
and to St. Wenceslaus Parish.
the midst of this disaster we have been truly blessed to have been able to work with many, many
volunteers (7200 hours worth now) who have stepped up and made a difference in this flood recovery.
The latest example of this was a crew of 20 Notre Dame University students who donated their fall break
and made the 5 hour trip to Cedar Rapids to help us out.
The crew spent 3+ days here at St Wenceslaus removing all the contaminated dirt and rock from the
rectory basement below the offices. They also helped pour concrete in Chihak Hall, removed the last of
the rock from Chihak Hall and brought sand to the rectory basement so a concrete floor can be poured.
They spent another day + working at a house that was severely damaged from the flood.
Thank you to sophomores Hugh McDonald and Noelle Hilmer and ND Alumni President John Casko for
organizing this and to The Breaking Bread Coalition for providing lunches. Thank you to LaSalle Middle
School for hosting the crew and to the volunteers who coordinated all aspects of this week. Monday and
Tuesday volunteers from Queen of Saints Parish Cluster made and served the lunches. Wednesday
St. Patrick's-Fairfax hosted lunch and Thursday John XXIII did. St Wenceslaus volunteers also brought
a large more snacks throughout the week. A dinner was held Thursday night to celebrate and thank the crew.
It is noteworthy that this crew not only gave of themselves all week long but also had taken a collection
and made very generous financial contributions to both the resident whose property they cleaned up
and to St. Wenceslaus Parish.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!!!
View Oct 21 Gazette story and video
The floor under the rectory offices is now flush with the concrete laundry room floor
A small portion of what was taken out of the basement.
Mission accomplished!!!
Hopes were we would not find very much rock...so much for that...
The dirt and rock was brought through the window by the washer and dryer, then loaded into the Mustang
and then taken to the vacant lot across the street.
November 4-- The rock pile is removed
Philipp Trucking took it to their
quarry; anyone who comes for any of it will be asked to make a
donation to St
Wenceslaus. A few loads
were removed last
week as well. After filling the trucks the total amount of rock
was estimated at 450 tons
was estimated at 450 tons
The area behind the sacristy was all filled in and concrete poured.
The air conditioner units will be located here.
The heating and cooling system in Chihak Hall has been installed.
The Cedar Seven Crew on their last day in CR.
The church has never looked better!!!
The gym
walls all got a new coat of paint.
Mural done
by AmeriCorp Cedar Seven Crew Member Kate Dibbern
Saturday morning, November 8
This group from Mt Mercy College
Campus Ministry worked in all three buildings.
They carried rock from the rectory basement (that came from the holes dug for footings), tore down plaster in
Chihak Hall and cleaned the Oak Hill Jackson Neighborhood Association office.
They carried rock from the rectory basement (that came from the holes dug for footings), tore down plaster in
Chihak Hall and cleaned the Oak Hill Jackson Neighborhood Association office.
THANK YOU!
Nov 24- The rectory basement floor is now ready for the concrete.
Thanks to the work done by Notre Dame and Mt Mercy students preparation
for a concrete floor to be poured can take place (to prevent any future mold issues)
