LET IT SHINE Kick off
Thursday, September 24, 2026 - Let it Shine
Dear Friends in Christ,
Our worship space is the hub of our common life. Every week we offer thanks and praise in a beautiful sacred space gifted by previous generations who now rest with the saints in light. The longer I have been here the more I appreciate so many of the extraordinary architectural features handed down to us: stained-glass windows illuminating saints and apostles, 2-foot-thick wood beams holding up the ceiling like the ribs of a great ship, artwork ranging from a tender Mother in the chapel to the ascending Christ carved from oak behind the altar.
At the same time, certain elements conceal the beauty we’ve been given: stained carpet in the chapel, dim and aging lighting, marred concrete floors, swollen and deteriorating doors which visitors can barely pry open. For a long time, I believed these were simply quirks which added to the charm of an older church. Paul Barribeau—the architect behind the recent stunning renovation of Gesu Church at Marquette—commented: “People often think an older historic space needs to be a little dark and dirty to feel authentic. But when it is renovated and brightened, all the traditional elements people love really begin to sing.”
With an eye towards the centennial anniversary of the church, we have been working with Paul and his design team to prepare our worship space and larger facility for the next 100 years. Beyond refreshing the nave, this effort addresses long-overdue infrastructure: updating our electrical system, remediating asbestos tiles in the Great Hall, modernizing 75-year-old bathrooms, adding a second safe exit for our nursery, and more.
To reflect this movement from dark to light—and to capture the radiant energy of where we are going—we are renaming our centennial effort the “Let it Shine” Project. Throughout the fall, look for weekly updates, stories, and reflections in the section below. We invite your prayers, your questions, and your feedback as we move forward together.
In the Hope and Peace of Christ,
Seth+
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