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August 6, 2008 - Damaged interior roof beams being repaired and restored.

July 22, 2008

Additional pictures showing greater detail of the reconstruction.

July 17, 2008

Reconstruction of the left parapet (viewed from outside) over the west door of the church has been a test of matching the appearance to that of the existing building. The test was successful, and reconstruction of the other parapets is underway. The first photo below shows the west door with the completed "test" parapet farther away, and a wood form on the nearer one, ready for concrete. The second photo shows the parapets over the southwest window, again with one finished and one with the wood form. The third picture shows work continuing on preparing the surfaces at the back of the church. (click the picture for larger view)

June 24, 2008

In the last two weeks, the entire outside of the church building was power washed, to remove dirt and grime and loose concrete dust and chips. Work has now begun on the tedious manual repair of "pockmarks" - spots on the walls of the building where concrete has deteriorated and possibly there has been corrosion of reinforcing bars. The bars may need repair, and the area must be patched with compound by hand. Pictures below show sone of the areas and repairs progressing. (Click for larger picture.)

June 4. 2008

The pictures just below were taken May 30 and June 2, 2008. All of the photos show what the contractor has confirmed: that the damage to the parapets is more severe than anticipated. Instead of drilling down 4-6 inches, the depth has been 8 inches or more in many parts of the concrete. Progress is moving well and the Sanctuary parapet, the last one to be drilled, should occur during the week of 6/2.
Once the parapet demolition has occurred, then forms will be constructed to allow the rebuilding of the parapets to their original height. These forms will reproduce the corrugated design of the walls.

(for the four pictures just below, click on the thumbnail for a larger image)

May 28,2008

A view of the work in progress as deteriorated concrete goes off in a cloud of dust from the parapet above the vestibule window on the west side of the church.

Work begins

On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, after losing two days to weather, work began on the extensive job of removing crumbling concrete, replacing with resin and waterproofing the entire building. The initial work is on the west side of the building, resulting in the closing of that entryway.

Planned schedule of the work-

published in the bulletin of May 18

5/19: Set up protection material, start erecting scaffolding and secure access to the site.

5/19 - 6/30: Perform concrete demolition work and create restoration form mock-ups.

6/30 - 8/11: Complete concrete work. Complete all waterproofing and staining of facade and metal copings.

8/11 - 9/8: Remove, repair and reinstall clerestory window. Perform all flashing, roofing and painting work above the roof.

9/8 - 9/19: Clean up site and complete all remaining work.

Additional scheduling information about thebell tower and the flooring installation will be provided in the near future. Please keep reading the bulletin or this page for this important information.

7:30AM MASS AND COMMUNION SERVICES WILL CONTINUE DURING THIS PERIOD. PLEASE READ THE BULLETIN OR CHECK HERE TO LEARN IF ACCESS TO THE DAY CHAPEL MUST OCCUR VIA DIFFERENT DOORS.

The above photo of the west entrance of the church was taken Friday May 23, after quitting time, so no work is in progress, but the machine used for lifting workers to the roof is visible, as is the closing of access to the west door.

Monday, 6 August 2007 - In the Movies

Anyone visiting the St. Philip campus Monday would have had to ask "What is going on?" For many people in Norwalk, however, it will not be a surprise to learn that the St. Philip mansion was yet another location for scenes for the film "For One More Day" based on the book by Mitch Albom and being produced by the Oprah organization. As is usual for these shoots, there was no public announcement ahead of time, because the crews feel a crowd of spectators should be avoided if possible. But Deacon Frank Chiappetta and Steve Bagnell were there, and got some good pictures of the "invasion". Click here to take a look.

Tuesday, 10 July 2007 - Africa!

Four teens of the St Philip Youth Group, and their adult chaperone, arrived in Malawi this date to begin their study tour with WorldVision, after a grueling trip beginning in Norwalk on Sunday, July 8th and including flights to Washington, DC, Amsterdam, Nairobi, Zambia and Lilongwe, Malawi. On their tour they will be working with VisionWorld personnel, observing and participating in the distribution of food and medicines.

Being chosen to participate in this tour is a recognition of the outstanding dedication of the St Philip Youth Group in the 30-Hour Famine for the last four years. During this event teens fast together for 30 hours while praying, playing games, learning about hunger, raising awareness for hunger, and raising money. This year the more than 100 teenagers from St Philip and surrounding area managed to raise the amazing amount of $18,000. Over the last 4 years St. Philip has raised more than $38,400 for WorldVision and more than $7,600 for the local soup kitchen Manna House. Only nine other teens have been so honored this year from around the country.

For the four teens chosen, the tour is a recognition of their personal outstanding dedication. Adrienne DiMarco and Mike Pappa have been the coordinators of the Famine at St. Philip for the past two years. Devan Yoder worked tirelessly on all four famines and Brendan Giolitto raised the most money for the famine. The adult leader, Jill Yoder has put a lot of time and work into the famine.

To demonstrate the support and prayers of the parish, a special sending ceremony was held for the travelling group after the 12:00 noon Mass on June 24. As representatives not only of St. Philip Parish but of the community and even the nation, they will be inspired, and will inspire others to even greater acts of Christian charity. The photos below are from the sending.

Every summer for seven years, the St. Philip Youth Group has gone on a leadership retreat at their beloved
retreat house in Jacksonville, Vermont. The home that they have loved had a tremendous fire in February and all was lost. But, God is Good, and the house will be rebuilt!

This year the Youth Group will be having a Building Adventure/Leadership Retreat and all are invited! The project will be at the Mellos Tuesday, August 7 - Thursday, August 9 (staying at a motel down the road at night). There will be work helping to build the new house, as well as fun activities, swims in the lake, and talking around the campfire. For this trip, all are invited - teens, families, parents, etc. - the more the merrier. Please call Kali (845-2385) if you would like to be part of this amazing three-day adventure.

When the retreat center burned in February, all was lost - for the retreat house and for the Dumaine family as well. The family has been given clothes and some basic furnishings as well. Here at St. Philip, we have taken up a collection to help refurbish the retreat center and purchased a large number of sheets, mattress pads, pillows and blankets for the new rooms. The gifts were presented to the Dumaine Family at the 10 a.m. Mass on June 10.

11 April 2007 - Today Kali DiMarco, Youth Coordinator, announced the exciting news that St. Philip has bee invited to send a delegation on a study tour with World Vision. This is of course related to our participation in thye 30 Hour Famine. Kaali's email follows, and below that you can consult the previously posted report on the 30 Hour Famine. Also see Recent Photos

$17,500 . . . AND COUNTING!
There is just no way to sufficiently thank all the people who were a part of our 30-Hour Famine. The two days were an incredible example of faith in community, and we thank each and every one of you for your prayers, support, donations, and good wishes. Our very special thanks to:
● Father Boccaccio for his ongoing support and love, and his steadfast belief in the youth of our parish;
● Mayor Dick Moccia, for taking time out of his busy day, and for reminding us that the teenagers in our community care and want to help;
● Linda Nolan, from World Vision, who gave us some insight into the challenges of world hunger;
● Sister Eileen Good, CND and Sister Marilyn Hammill, CND for sharing with us their experiences in Africa;
● Philip Lucose for teaching us about fasting as prayer;
● Maria O’Kelly, Dana Mattson and the Senior and Junior Choirs for learning and singing two new songs so beautifully;
● The 100 teenagers who fasted for over 30 hours and the 36 sixth and seventh graders who took part in our second Mini Famine; (You raised over $15,500 for World Vision and $2,000 for Manna House. You inspire us!)
● The 136 “Prayer Partners”, who held each of us in prayer during the Famine - we felt your love;
● The parents, parishioners and others in our community who coordinated games, activities, fund raising and publicity; ran the scavenger hunt to the grocery store; chaperoned the lock-in; shopped, cooked and served the breakfast; set up and cleaned up for us; and prayed for our participants;
● Honey Hill Convalescent Home, Sunrise Assisted Living, Notre Dame Convalescent Home, The Marvin, Timothy memorial School, The Emergency Shelter, Elderhouse, and Gregory’s Grocery Store, for allowing us to be in service to others;
● The First Water Taxing District for allowing us to gather on the Green, and Officer Robert Curry for keeping us safe on our walk;
● Joyce Bretherton, Donna Solano and Debi Boccanfuso, who planned and led the Mini Famine;
● Adrienne DiMarco and Michael Pappa, who were our youth leaders for the Famine;
● Terry and Claudia Aloise and Jodi Serasis, who planned and led the midnight prayer service;
● Deacon Frank Chiappetta for the opening prayer and the blessing with water mid-day;
● Patsy Porco for shopping, Linda Pappa for phone calls, Dan Krenicki for tallying all the donations, and Billy Pappa for finding our Karaoke equipment;
● Father Mark McGregor, for spending time with our Mini Famine group and for celebrating Mass with us.

It is amazing what can be done through the Grace of God and the spirit of a powerful community. One of the greatest gifts this year was the number of people involved with the Famine. There are so many to thank - our apologies if we left off any names. Our angels:

Drivers - Terry Aloise, Marian Barbieri, Deb & Roger Bennetts, Maria Brancaccio, Claire Budnik, Marge Costa, Ralph DiMarco, Ceile Fitzgerald, Bob & Margaret Giolitto, Kelly Hefferan, Deirdre Heinold, Lucy Iacono, Debbie LeDuc, JoAnn LoRusso, Rob Nowack, Pat Olson, Ann Otto, Linda Pappa, Ellen Passero, Paul Piasecki, Vere Richardson, Anna Ruggiero, Maria & Vinny Scicchitano, Nancy Surace, Lynn VanDeusen, Gerry Werner, Alan Yoder and Jill Yoder.

Breakfast - Roger & Deb Bennetts, Dan Cunningham, Michael & Janice Falbo, Brian & Ceile Fitzgerald, Neil Harding, Kelly & Steve Hefferan, Melissa Hirsch, Kathy & Brynne Krenicki, Debbie LeDuc, JoAnn LoRusso, Rona & Michael Marotta, Paul Piasecki, Maria Scicchitano, JoAnn Somma, Gerry Werner and Alan, April & Rachel Yoder.

Chaperones - Terry & Claudia Aloise, Debi Boccanfuso, Claire Budnik, Doris Chiappetta, Ralph DiMarco, Michael Falbo, Margaret & Bob Giolitto, Rob Nowack, Pat Olson, Ann Otto, Jodi Serasis, Gerry Werner, Alan & April Yoder and Jill Yoder.

The annual presentation Lessons and Carols at St. Philip Parish was held on the evening of December 22, 2006, under the direction of Maria O'Kelly, Music Director of St. Philip's. A large congregation of parishioners and friend gathered to hear Christmas scripture readings, music and song. The event included presentations by the St. Philip Adult Choir and Junior Choir and by the Eastern Festival Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Zachary Israel Nobile Kampler

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