Diocesan Engineering
"Unless the Lord build the house. . . . " (Psalm 127: 1)
Engineering has a small staff of one to cover a diocese literally bigger in area than the state of Texas. Engineering lists its mission as: "Practicing a model of servant leadership, diocesan engineering ministers to the Bishop and the Diocese of Fairbanks by providing technical and engineering expertise, combined with construction management skills, to plan, review, design, construct, maintain, and repair selected Catholic diocesan facilities throughout northern Alaska." (See Diocesan map. Red dots indicate villages and towns with active Catholic communities.)
This means we get to participate in selected facilities projects throughout our diocese. Himself a pilot, the Diocesan Engineer Paul Perreault, P.E. is an ordained Deacon, and an Alaskan-registered professional engineer. He has a Masters degree in Structural Engineering and is working toward a Doctoral degree in Arctic Foundations. For rural projects, there is less direct-access to local design professionals. Therefore, the Diocesan Engineer often serves as the 'Prime Professional' helping to coordinate overall design, construction, and maintenance projects. For urban or larger projects, with easier access to secular design firms, the Diocesan Engineer more often serves as Bishop's representative and consultant for projects being designed by others.
The Diocesan Engineering Office is extensively involved in selected projects (a) from initial concepts and needs assessments, through (b) design team efforts and construction administration, to (c) project completion and building dedication.
Engineering continues to remind ourselves . . . "Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build." (Psalm 127: 1)
Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska
Paul Perreault, P.E.
Diocesan Engineer
1316 Peger Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709-5199
907-374-9541 907-374-9580 (FAX)
engineer@cbna.org