​​​​Major Projects​​ -- Over $50,000

Major projects require the following approvals:

• Regional bishop (except for archdiocesan high schools). The pastor, in a letter to the regional ​bishop, must describe the proposed work to be done as well as the reason and need for the work, the projected cost of the work, and the proposed funding for the project. If the bishop approves the proposal, he must prepare a written response (either by writing a separate letter or signing the original request letter) with any comments and send it to the pastor with a copy to the moderator of the curia, chief financial officer, Construction Dep​artment​, and if appropriate, to the director of the office for divine worship and the superintendent of Catholic schools.  Cemetery and mortuary construction projects shall follow the process established by the Construction Department in collaboration with the Cemeteries and Mortuaries Department.

• Office of Financial Services. Before permission is granted for a major project, approval of the funding arrangements must be obtained from the Chief Financial Officer or CFO's designee.

• Department of Catholic Schools​ (for school projects). If the work involves a major project to any elementary or high school, approval from the superintendent of the Department of Catholic Schools is required.

• Office for Divine Worship​ (for liturgical projects -- churches and chapels). If the work is in a place of worship, regardless of location, a written review of the proposed work from the Office for Divine Worship is required. Consulting with the Office for Divine Worship before engaging an architectural firm or designer is strongly recommended. The review process may include a formal meeting and review with the Director of the Office for Divine Worship. The role of the Office for​ Divine Worship is to promote adherence to the Church's liturgical norms and documents, specifically the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. The Office for Divine Worship coordinates with the pastor, regional bishop, cemeteries and mortuaries operations director in submitting the project proposal to the archdiocesan Building Commission and the archbishop for approval.

• ​The location must follow the Office for Divine Worship's guidelines for initiating a renovation or new building for a worship space. The Office for Divine Worship will offer guidance and resources, as well as will review and provide recommendations to the archdiocesan Building Commission of all liturgical design elements relative to the building of any worship space, church, or chapel, as well as the significant renovation of any existing worship space before any commitment to the work is made. 

• "Significant" means work that affects the church structure or ov​erall worship​ space​​. Examples of such work are those that affect the sanctuary space; assembly seating arrangement; placement, location, and design of the chapel for eucharistic reservation, chapel for reconciliation, or music area; and changes to, relocation of, or purchases of liturgical furnishings such as the altar, tabernacle, ambo, presider's chair, or baptismal font. The pastor should also consult the archdiocesan Office for Divine Worship for liturgical projects of a lesser degree before any commitment to the work is made. 

• It is strongly recommended that projects of a lesser degree, namely projects primarily of refurbishing that affect the overall worship environment, should involve the Office for Divine ​Worship. Examples of lesser projects include changing materials, colors, and finishes that affect the aesthetics of the liturgical space; painting or carpeting all or part of the worship space; purchasing or designing liturgical vessels and liturgical objects, as well as objects of devotion; purchasing or enhancing an organ, a sound system, or lighting; changing windows; and changing liturgical or devotional art.​When commissioning original works of art (e.g., statues, paintings, or tapestries), specific terms and conditions need to be negotiated with the artist. The Artwork Agreement​ (.pdf version) addresses the pertinent terms and should be used. Consult the Office of the Legal Counsel if the Artwork Agreement ​(Word version) ​needs to be modified to suit the location's purpose.​
  
  ​​Note:  Any project dealing with basic maintenance need not involve the archdiocesan Office for Divine Worship.​

• The Archdiocesan Building Commission is a group of 12-15 individuals who review projects of over one million dollars.  The members of the Building Commission are the Chancellor, Chief Financial Officer, Moderator of the Curia (chair), representatives of each pastoral region (usually designated by the regional bishop), and professionals who have expertise in construction and construction-related work.

• If the work requested is estimated to cost one million dollars or more, or if the regional bishop or Constructio​n Department so wishes, then the proposed project shall be submitted to the archdiocesan Building Commission for review and approval. The Building Commission evaluates architectural designs, construction documents, project budgets, costs, schedules, and contracting methodology. Following consultation and discussion with those who have submitted the project, the Building Commission presents recommendations and approvals. At the discretion of the chair, the Building Commission may present recommendations regarding project feasibility to the archbishop for his consideration.

Funding​
The location must have 100% of the funds available for the project or, if the location does not have all funds available, it must qualify for a short-term archdiocesan construction loan or line of credit. The Office of Financial Services works in conjunction with the Construction Department to perform a financial analysis and review before funding for a major project can be approved. See ​Loans.