In June 1958, Monsignor Donald J. Kanaly was appointed the parish's second pastor.

He brought with him a vision for a new church structure. He was also entranced by the idea of a community of believers physically building their own church as had been done with the great cathedrals of Europe.

Since the major obstacle standing between Monsignor Kanaly and his vision was a typical one: money, a plan was devised by him and the people of Saint Patrick called the "self-help" program.