Seelos Welcome Center Update & Appeal Fr. Byron Miller, C.Ss.R. Director, National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos 1
What an exciting time for the Seelos Center & National Seelos Shrine! Dear Friend of Blessed Francis Seelos, Every once in a while, an opportunity presents itself to expand the positive influence and major impact we can have and that time is now! With a strong history and outstanding mission of service, and with prayers from many, the Seelos Center has the opportunity of a lifetime. We are up to this challenge, and with your support, we are ready to build a new future together at 919 Josephine Street! A former 3-story convent adjacent to the Seelos Shrine in St. Mary s Assumption Church is presently being renovated for the Shrine s ministerial needs. It includes a visitor center befitting the trademark hospitality of both Father Seelos & the city of New Orleans. Plans are coming together to have the building on Josephine Street ready for use by the summer of 2009. May we rely on your generosity to help us through these next crucial months and beyond? 2 (continued on next slide)
What an exciting time for the Seelos Center & National Seelos Shrine! The construction of an adequate Seelos Welcome Center is helpful in revitalizing our city, and most importantly, necessary in providing a meaningful & spiritual experience for the increasing number of international, national and local pilgrims who visit our Shrine. Whatever we do for Blessed Seelos is an honor & worthy investment. Our Divine Physician has infused Father Seelos with the gift of His healing and has given us a powerful heavenly intercessor. We implore your help in this one-time appeal and unique opportunity to return a favor to our friend in such a high place! I speak from personal experience that Father Seelos is known to grant favors a hundredfold! (continued on next slide) 3
What an exciting time for the Seelos Center & National Seelos Shrine! We cannot continue this project without your help and we know it. We consider you a part of our extended family at the Seelos Center and kindly ask your support for this exciting development! Please join us in praying for the project s success. I thank you in advance for being receptive to this invitation to give what you can to our urgent appeal and by designating New SWC on your gift; no amount is too small and we trust it will be from your heart. We realize that you receive many requests from numerous noble causes, and so I am more than willing to personally explain this project at your convenience should you desire further consideration (504-525-2499). Sincerely, Fr. Byron Miller, C.Ss.R. 4
Facts & Figures Seelos Welcome Center + 919 Josephine Street + New Orleans LA 70130 5 Built as School Sisters of Notre Dame Convent circa 1939 & used for lowincome senior citizen housing prior to Hurricane Katrina; presently being converted into new Seelos Welcome Center (SWC). This 13,139-square-foot 3-story building is being adapted for the Seelos Shrine s ministerial needs to include exhibit space & orientation theater for visitors, offices for staff, gift shop, Seelos archives, & chapel. In early 2008, a Building Committee was appointed that helped determine a reputable local general contractor for the project (Woodward Design+Build), and retain an independent architectural consultant (Robert Cangelosi, AIA). The interior demolition phase to this building was completed in the summer, 2008. Preconstruction work totaled $193,275. On September 8, 2008, the City of New Orleans issued a Building Permit. Architectural plans were then finalized and the contract for construction was signed on October 16, 2008. Consequently, the contractor now has 8 months to complete the renovation (by June 15, 2009). The building is expected to be ready for use by summer, 2009. A dedication/blessing will take place later in the year.
Finances Seelos Welcome Center + 919 Josephine Street + New Orleans LA 70130 The total cost of the project is $3,052,581. This includes the $193,275 preconstruction work already paid, but does not include soft costs (i.e., furnishings, phone system, landscaping, etc.). A $3.5 million project is anticipated overall. $1,844,400 was secured by the Society of Redemptorists in December 2007 for this building s rehabilitation. With an additional $155,383.50 that has been raised so far through donations for the building, roughly $2 million of the $3.5 million project is already secured. The remaining $1.5 million is presently being sought through direct donor appeals, area foundations, and solicitation in the monthly newsletter. 6
Please Participate in this Building Project with Due Recognition! It is estimated that less than 5% of giving is anonymous. Let us give credit where it is due: to you or someone you love! Good & faithful people pushed to begin the canonization cause of Father Francis Xavier Seelos shortly after the saintly Redemptorist died of yellow fever in 1867. By the turn of the 20 th century, the Official Process began. In 1959, good & faithful people established the Seelos Center to help accelerate the Seelos Cause. By the turn of the 21 st century, Father Seelos was officially beatified in Rome in 2000. In 2009 the 50 th anniversary of the Seelos Center we look back with gratitude for their great accomplishments, and we also look forward to the construction of this new SEELOS WELCOME CENTER to expand our ministerial outreach and develop new initiatives as we work toward Blessed Seelos canonization. 7 Build for the Future & Memorialize the Past Our commemorative wall will be a permanent symbol dedicated to enrich those who visit the Shrine s Welcome Center. It is a very special way to remember a family member, friend or co-worker with a deep devotion to Father Seelos for favors granted.
Please Participate in this Building Project with Due Recognition! How can you participate? Persons, special events, and/or anniversaries may be acknowledged or memorialized. Honor the life work of someone special. Remember your loved ones and respect their values. Show your children & grandchildren your family names as part of a lasting tribute. This unique opportunity to help lay a foundation adds longevity to your gift when it is preserved for posterity! How will the Shrine benefit from your offering? Your gift will be used specifically for the construction of the new Seelos Welcome Center. This project will allow us to hand on to the next generation what we have received from our ancestors and what we build with our sacrifices. 8
Seelos Welcome Center Levels of Recognition HALO HELPERS ($250 - $499) SEELOS SHRINE ENTHUSIASTS ($500 - $999) SEELOS SHRINE SUPPORTERS ($1,000 - $2,499) SEELOS SHRINE SUSTAINERS ($2,500 - $4,999) (Helpers, Enthusiasts, Supporters, Sustainers are acknowledged in print only.) SERVANT OF GOD PATRONS ($5,000 - $9,999) VENERABLE SPONSORS ($10,000 - $19,999) BLESSED BENEFACTORS ($20,000 - $34,999) SAINTLY PHILANTHROPISTS ($35,000 + UP) (Patrons, Sponsors, Benefactors, Philanthropists are acknowledged in print and engraved on the commemorative wall of the Seelos Welcome Center.) Payments can be made cumulatively or in full through December 2009! 9
For what has been, we say, Thank you, Lord! For what lies ahead, we say, Yes, Lord! The National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our Federal Tax ID Number is 72-0576253 If you would like to support this project in any way in 2009, please designate SWC with your gift. For convenience, you are invited to access Gift Shop > Donations > Gift of the Heart on this website for credit card donations. All gifts may be mailed to: Seelos Center, 2030 Constance Street, New Orleans, LA 70130-5004. 10
11 Seelos Welcome Center Site Plan
12 First Floor Descriptive Plan
13 Second Floor Descriptive Plan
14 Third Floor Descriptive Plan
15 Courtyard Elevation
16 Laurel Street Elevation