Bestgate Road Property

Dear Parishioners,
 

We have recently learned that we will take possession of the Bestgate property as of July 1. We are excited about this. We have a committee that has been planning the best use of this newly acquired property.  We have hired a consultant to help us consider our best options for the property and its use. The committee has been working hard. I have also had conversations with some very wise people about finding the best use for the new property.  

 

I know most of our parishioners were excited about purchasing the property. Yet, there are many different ideas about how best to use the property to advance the mission of the parish. We have been considering different options, but we do not have a final plan. I am very committed to not rushing into a decision that is not well-planned, that will help support the cost of maintaining the property, and advance our parish mission.

 

I hope that in our initial phase, we might be able to host some parish meetings there since we are often short of space for such groups of parishioners. These would not be permanent regular groups because we must continue to be free to consider the long-range plans that are being formed.

 

Our parish is blessed by our staff who advise me, as well as our two corporators, and our volunteers who serve on some of the key committees of the parish. I welcome your patience and trust in our leadership as we proceed and invite your ideas.

 

We need to find a name for the property other than 716 Bestgate. One name I am considering is the Seelos Center; Blessed Francis Seelos was pastor of our parish AND managed to get into Heaven. Other ideas include the St. Joseph Center (Joseph is a wonderful Saint), Holy Redeemer Center (a name dear to the Redemptorists), or Joe Namath Hall (only a joke). If you have a billion dollars that you are willing to give, I will name the building after you! If you have other ideas for a name, please submit them to me via Christine Bervid (cbervid@stmarysanapolis.org). After consultation with others, we will decide on a name.

 

 

God bless,

Father Pat

Frwoods@stmarysannapolis.org

(excerpted from his bulletin letter)