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From the Venerable Theodore W. Bean, Jr. Provost of the Cathedral
It is my pleasure to welcome you on behalf of the Cathedral congregation and our staff to this rededication service.
While I cannot even attempt to thank everyone – and there are many people – who brought us to this happy day, at the considerable risk of omitting any of you, there are a few people whose roles I must acknowledge.
Certainly I want to thank Bishop Walker and the members of the Cathedral Chapter for hanging in there through a number of years of scaffolding and bridgework – and no tangible work being done. When I arrived in the fall of 2005, there was a real question as to whether we could begin this project, much less complete it. Thanks to the support of the Bishop and Chapter, as well as the encouragement of the Cathedral Council and the Cathedral parish congregation we have reached this happy and historic day.
I want to acknowledge in particular the creativity and hard work of Jeffrey Harbinson of Harbinson & Associates, the architect for this project. Some of you know Jeff as a former member of the Cathedral congregation. His practice in now in Asheville, NC, so he traveled a good bit on our behalf. His love for this cathedral church is obvious to us all and his skills are evident in the finished product – much of which none of us can see. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons we value his work so much: that attention to all of the details is important to him. (Applause followed.)
The general contractor, Integrated Consolidated Contracting, Inc., treated the Cathedral building with reverence and respect in every aspect of the project. They appreciated – and carefully replicated – the highly skilled workmanship which went into the original structure. Small wonder that they are currently at work at Riverside Church in Manhattan and at a number of other historic structures along the east coast. We were blessed to work with them and to have them play the central role in this repair. I want to give special recognition to Themes Rodrugues and Joe Cardozo. (Applause followed.)
We relied heavily on the legal and financial expertise of several dedicated individuals. Charles Janoff, the Cathedral’s chancellor, was always readily available at every twist-and-turn – and there were many – when contracts needed review and I needed sound advice about how to proceed. I also want to thank Diocesan Chancellor Robert Fardella, who handled much of the preliminary legal detail – and there was a considerable amount – in arranging for funding for the project. Our treasurers, George Blancke and Patrick Guy, have always been available and willing to help expedite financing and payment authorization. Also thanks to Louise Baietto and the Finance Department for helping keep the accounts reconciled and for tracking the bills as they were paid. I see that Peter Robey from Finance is here. (Applause followed for these individuals.)
Stuart Newby, our Director of Facilities and Maintenance, has been a part of the life of the Diocese even longer than I have. (Applause.) He knows our properties inside and out and has taken a personal as well as a professional interest in attending to the multiplicity of details – many of which you won’t suspect – to help bring this project to completion. It is a mark of his good and generous nature that he and I are still on speaking terms after some incredibly hair-raising days, especially during the spring and summer months.
Additionally I want to express appreciation to the members of our maintenance staff who worked hard in keeping the grounds in shape and preparing much of the detail for today’s celebration.
Lawrence Tremsky, our gifted music director, and Alistair Nelson, his equally-gifted associate, played the leading role in the restoration of the thirteen tower bells in conjunction with the Verdin Company. (Applause.) They wanted them to sound just as perfect in their restored state as I did. I am grateful for the many hours they devoted – and also for having to tolerate my many “suggestions” about what would sound best.
George Sutherland, the Cathedral sexton, who is rightly proud of his marble floors and the disciplined way in which he maintains this very demanding structure, endured noise, dust, dirt, leaks, contractors and technicians of every ilk, sudden inconvenience at every turn, and disruption on almost a daily basis for nearly two years. Still he kept us on schedule, the facility in remarkably clean condition, and every anticipated service and activity has been held as planned with a minimum of disruption for us. We’ll try to give George a brief break before we embark on any new, major projects. (Applause followed.)
Marla Wills, my administrative assistant, who has been sent to the files searching for documents, working with the architect and contractors to stay on top of invoices, and filling out payment warrants, remained remarkably calm on many days when I wasn’t so calm. We’ll try to give her a bit of a break as well before we begin anything major. (Applause followed.)
Mrs. Joan King, who read the second lesson, is a member of the Chapter, the Finance Committee, and the Diocesan Audit Committee, has been exceptionally dedicated member of the Cathedral Chapter.
Additionally Canon Domenic Ciannella, the senior priest of this diocese and an honorary canon of the Cathedral, who read the first lesson, reminded me when I first arrived here that there was no permanent memorial to Dean Lemoine, who served longer than any priest in the history of the Cathedral. With the repair and restoration of the carillon before us, it seemed appropriate that this memorial be established in his honor. (Applause followed the recognition of Mrs. King and Canon Ciannella.)
Because of the cooler than ideal temperatures today, we have moved what was to be an outdoor reception into the Cathedral Undercroft. We hope you’ll join us for some refreshments following the service.
And finally, as I am fond of saying to visitors, yes, the Cathedral choirs really do sound that good all of the time. We are singularly blessed. (Applause.)
I want to welcome Archdeacon Bernard Young and Archdeacon Howard Williams as well as Canon Denis Brunelle and thank them for being with us today.
The Rt. Rev. Orris G. Walker, Jr., Bishop of Long Island, responded.
The Bishop expressed his appreciation for all of the work which has been completed. He also reminded those present that much remains to be done on the Cathedral structure.
He spoke of generosity as a means of preparation for getting into Heaven and urged all of us to continue to be ready to open our wallets as a sign of God’s generosity towards each of us.
He then thanked the Provost for his “drive and determination” in bringing this important project to a successful conclusion.
(A standing ovation followed for Archdeacon Bean.)
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