REV. DANIEL VENGLARIK
(1995-2007)

Father Daniel M. Venglarik succeeded Fr. Reis in July 1995. Upon Fr. Dan’s arrival, the parish adopted the Jerusalem Cross as symbol to identify our parish.

In 1995, the parish was in the midst of converting the old church into a auditorium, library, meeting room, and storage space. The former balcony of the old church was walled in and created a meeting room for study groups as well as a storage area. Below the balcony, a library for the school was created.

Several other projects were completed in 1997. In the spring, a new stage and library for the school were dedicated. The stage was named in honor of the late Fr. John Andrecic, an associate pastor who was fond of the arts. During the summer months, an old garage, parallel to the east wall of the school was demolished. A new garage was built adjoining the northeast corner of the rectory. In the fall, three modular classrooms were added on to the school.
In the church there are twelve glass panels dividing the sanctuary from the gathering space which were etched and completed in 1998.

In November 2000, St. Charles members attended the International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) conference in Arlington, Virginia. St. Charles Parish received The Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy Award. This award is given out nationally to a parish for its outstanding work in stewardship. St. Charles Parish, through the leadership of the Stewardship Commission was compelled and impassioned to model and to educate all members of the parish in stewardship as a “Way of Life.” Everyone is called to be a disciple of Jesus. Everyone possesses a unique gift given by God. Everyone is responsible for using his or her talent to make whole the Body of Christ. In the process, God assures everyone of His continual presence promising that all that is needed will be given.

It was no secret that St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School outgrew its facilities in the new millennium. The Parish needed more space in the school, more space for meetings in the church, and more parking.

In early 2000, the decision was made to clear the trees at the top of the hill on the south side of the property for a parking lot expansion. In order to do this, the school’s playground would also have to be moved to the top of the hill. During July 2000 the new parking lot expansion was completed along with handrails and steps leading down to the main parking lot.

In June 2000, the Finance Council met and discussed future facility needs. Those needs included additions and renovations to the school for space and security reasons, a new Ministries Building, which would house parish offices, and meeting spaces for parish groups, bereavement meals, social activities and other parish meetings and functions.
In 2001, after numerous meetings with the Ad Hoc Committee, Finance Council, and Pastoral Council, it was decided to proceed forward with the plans for the new additions to the parish properties. Besides a new school edition and a new ministries building, it also included expansion of the kitchen facilities in the social hall, a new sacristy, new restrooms, and choir room.  The new addition to the school included an art room, music room, media center, offices, and cafeteria. A permanent full time gymnasium was also part of the plan. It was a $4.5 million project and monies were collected through the Enhancing Our Ministries Program.

Additionally the project included plans for the replacement of the school roof and new windows. In 2002, the school’s roof was replaced with a pitched roof, rather than a flat roof, for better drainage.

During 2003, ground was broken for the new ministries building. Additions and renovations to the school were completed by September. The ministry building was completed in the spring of 2004.

In 2004, parishioners traveled to El Salvador and developed a sister parish.  Upon returning the parishioners spoke with Pastoral Council. The Pastoral Council requested that this not be a project for just one special committee, but that as a parish community we should see it as all of our responsibility to share with a parish community in another part of the world.  The purpose of the Sister Parish is primarily about communication between two communities-different culturally, socially and economically, but of the same faith with its struggles, ideals, and successes. It is about achieving the solidarity of Christian love and enriching all who work for it.

During 2004 many additional updates and changes were made to the school, old church and social hall.  The old church, which at the time was the auditorium, was converted into a gymnasium.  The Athletic Club removed the asbestos from the ceiling, added new paint, new lights and a new gym floor.  The old glass basketball backboards from the social hall and installed them in the new gym.

Updates to the Social Hall included new lighting, new electrical outlets as well as the installation of new kitchen equipment.

In December 2004, the portico was finished and forever changed the landscape of the church.

With the generous donation of time, talent and treasure of the parishioners many more projects, large and small, were brought to fruition during Fr. Dan’s leadership.

On May 3, 2007, only six months after being diagnosed, Fr. Daniel Venglarik, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.

After his death, Bishop George Murry S.J., appointed Fr. Philip Rogers as Administrator until a permanent pastor was announced.