Lyrics

Many people have expressed an interest in the elevator song. Below are the lyrics. Now that they have been posted we hope everyone will be singing along!

Lift Us Up
(The Elevator Song)
Words by Pat Kelly

Verse 1:
Lift up our spirits
Give rise to our senses
Bring us up to your alter
Lift us up to the Lord.

Make our journey safe
Make our journey simple
Make our journey tireless
Lift us up to the Lord

Refrain:
Lift us up, Lift us up, Lift us up to the Lord
Lift us up, Lift us up, Lift us up to the Lord

Verse 2:
Throw open your gates
Let us enter your chambers
Let us share the journey
Lift us up to the Lord

There is no better ride
There is no better lift
This is the way to worship
Lift us up to the Lord

Refrain:
Lift us up, Lift us up, Lift us up to the Lord
Lift us up, Lift us up, Lift us up to the Lord

Bridge:
Lift (clap) us (clap) up to the Lord
Let us ride your rising carpet
This (clap) is (clap) the way to worship
Lift us up to the Lord…..up to the Lord…..up to the Lord.

Refrain:
Lift us up, Lift us up, Lift us up to the Lord
Lift us up, Lift us up, Lift us up to the Lord

Lift us up, Lift us up, Lift us up to the Lord

The Elevator Song

The Steering Committee asked Karen Winslow if the children would be doing a special song for the project, like they did with our own "S.H.I.N.E." song. Karen sat down with Joe Rose, our wonderful Music Director, and Pat Kelly, our Cantor. Pat took the challenge to write the words that would be about God but could also be about an elevator. Once the lyrics were completed Joe took over and wrote the music, an up tempo calypso beat. Listen for the elevator bell at the end!

The children's choir presented The Elevator Song "Lift Us Up To The Lord" today at the 9:15 Children's Mass. The song was a big hit with all who attened!

Please enjoy the video.

Construction Has Begun

Before any work could begin on the project, the most important piece of paper was obtained.

The Permit

The construction process began upon receiving the permit. The next step was to move the fire alarm panel from the entrance to the lower church hall by the kitchen where the elevator will be located to the other entrance at the far end of the lower church hall. The move was completed this past week.

Old Location

New Location

Kick-Off Weekend

This weekend Father Gregory kicked-off our "Reaching New Heights" project at all of the Masses. He explained that the goal of this project is to provide for ALL people to share in the sacramental life at St. Charles Church. He reminded us that the installation of the elevator will not only allow easier access to the church for those whom, in the past or present, find the front steps challenging. Also, this project will also allow us to update our restrooms to be fully handicap accessible. We will also be updating our kitchen facilities.

Father Gregory explained that this project has four stages: planning, organizing, implementing and managing. He mentioned those individuals who have been involved in the first three phases. He stated that we were are now in the implementing phase which involves the whole parish community. He expressed his gratitude to the parishioners because he knows that this will be a successful project through their hope, vision and prayer. Perfect examples of these successes are the receipt of the building permit, which allows us to begin our project, and the elevator has been ordered and is set for delivery by March 20th.

Father Gregory closed his remarks by quoting an article that appeared in the local paper, "The Sun" 108 years ago. It described the parishioners of St. Charles as "a glad and proud people who labored generously, who were faithful and self-sacrificing". He felt that this description could be used to describe our efforts 108 years from now.

"Reaching New Heights"

Welcome to the St. Charles Improvement Project: "Reaching New Heights" Blog!

This is a very exciting time for our parish family which is no different than when our own individual family is taking on a home improvement project. We often take pictures to measure progress and to remember the past. This blog will serve as a tool for all parishioners and extended family, near and far, to track the progress of our project. This blog can be accessed at anytime and will be updated as we move along.

This picture of the side entrance will be the future entrance to the elevator. Notice that there isn't a cloud in the sky above the church. We can only believe that we WILL be "REACHING NEW HEIGHTS".