"And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard?"
A working sound system was overwhelming the #1 priority voiced at both the Liturgy community meeting and the survey conducted for our Pastoral Planning. From the beginning we wanted to make sure that everything would be done to ensure that we would have a sound system that provided for the multiple needs of the worship space. We quickly learned that this would involve more than just replacing the sound system: it would also include addressing the way that sound travels and is absorbed in the building.
Second Progress Report:
In the last update we talked about securing an acoustician. The acoustician has been out and has mapped the sound of the church. He then will take that data and using a model of the church and will work with sound engineers to make recommendations on alterations, such as acoustical tiles on some of the ceiling panels. We are awaiting their report with specifications for needs based on their expertise and their findings. At the same time, sound engineers will be taking this data and provide to us a needs-assessment of sound equipment for the church. As you can see to have a working sound system is more than just replacing microphones.
While we had hoped to have all of this completed by the First Sunday of Advent, we recognize that the thoroughness of the process is more important that an end date. We appreciate your patience as we do everything we can to provide for a working and complete sound system for our parish.
First Progress Report:
A committee was formed and began meeting.
The committee identified three priorities for the sound system:
- It be a working system designed for the building and for the multi-use/need of the community's worship.
- It be an integrated system which is one system for word and music.
- It be designed to incorporate a "loop" system for the hearing impaired and challenged.
An acoustician, an individual who is a specialist in acoustics (sound), has been secured. The person has come out to inspect the church building, its design, finishings and furnishings, and spent a couple of weekends with us to experience the needs and uses for amplification of sound at all the Masses. A report has been provided with specifications for needs based on their expertise and their findings.
Based on the report the Acoustic Committee will create a timeline for the process with target dates and ultimately a date for installation and completion. In addition, we will look at our present system as well as the equipment used for the music ministry, including the organ and piano and how all of this will work (or not work) within a new sound design and system.
The 2nd collection on May 5/6, 2019 was for our parish special needs designated for the new sound system.
Contact: Gerard Hall
