Queen of Peace: The Next 100 Years Update—July, 2008In September of 2007 I spoke with Rick Andreen, an executive of Shea Homes who came offering an unexpected surprise: Queen of Peace had been selected by the Shea Foundation for assistance in renovating our school and parish facilities. The Foundation has already helped several economically distressed parishes in California, but we would be their first one in Arizona.
This initial meeting set up series of events that would occupy the next 8 months including the selection of an architect, formation of focus groups to represent the viewpoints of the parish and school and a parish-wide survey. With this information in hand the architect developed a site plan visualizing the new parish center, parish hall and school. This site plan can be seen here: 
As for the financing, the Shea Foundation is going to shoulder a significant part of the cost of the project, but they rightly want us to participate in the funding. At the end of August and in September we are going to conduct a feasibility study that will help us determine just how much we can expect to raise from within the parish. If that figure is acceptable to the Shea Foundation, then in January, 2009 we will launch a capital campaign. If all goes well, we could expect to begin construction sometime later that year.
When I arrived at Queen of Peace in 2006, a building project was the furthest thing from my mind, but I am convinced that the Lord has presented us with a once-in-lifetime opportunity to make our parish campus a vibrant and attractive presence in Historic Mesa for many years to come. All who know about it and have commented, including Bishop Olmsted, whole-heartedly agree.
A word about the name of the project, Communio, a Latin term usually referring to Communion in Christ. As a parish we are diverse ethnically, economically and age-wise, but what we all do share in common is our union in Christ Jesus our Lord. This project has the potential of uniting us more deeply and enhancing our ability to live out our united mission even more effectively.
I will be posting updates as more information becomes available. I also welcome your comments and insights. You can contact me at
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In His peace,
Fr Charlie
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