Dear Fellow Members of Our Church Community,
About this time each year, the Stewardship Committee makes its annual report to me and to the Parish Community at large on the status of our Parish’s finances. This report is made at this time of year because the annual fiscal cycle has recently ended and our budget projection for next year has been finalized. The work of closing the books from last year and budgeting for next year has provided an opportunity for me and the other members of the Stewardship Committee to reflect on our Parish’s income and expenses. The attached “Did you know?” information sheet was developed from these reflections and provides a number of interesting or thought-provoking facts and observations. This information may provide you with a perspective on our Parish financial operations that all but a few of us share.
Our country is now struggling to deal with some tough economic realities. On a personal level, we are feeling the effects in our households and in the Parish Office at St. Thomas More. The Stewardship Committee has the obligation to keep the Parish community informed of where we stand financially. However, the Committee also wants you to know that we are trying to be creative in our budgeting and spending, and we are continually considering options and adjustments to keep the Parish vibrant and on a solid financial footing. Just like the cuts that you are undoubtedly making at home, we have been making cuts at the Parish. As a Parish Community, just as in our households, we need to live within our means.
As is presented in the attached sheet, we have been running a small deficit for each of the last few years. This situation has caused us to have to draw down our “rainy day” savings fund. Unexpected expenses, like an expense of over $700 last week to coax one of our boilers back to life for this heating season, are clear reminders that we need to maintain an emergency fund for just such situations.
Since we have already been trimming “the fat” for some time, there are few areas left in which to easily cut costs. It is, therefore, likely that some services and programs may have to be reduced or eliminated unless the weekly offertory increases or additional income to the general operation account is obtained by other means. The Stewardship Committee is in the process of critically evaluating all of the Parish’s expenditures and considering new sources of revenue.
It is not my or the Stewardship Committee’s intent to alarm you, simply to inform you. The creative abilities and generous and charitable nature of our Parish Community have so impressed me time and time again. Your voluntary and financial responses to our long overdue renovation needs were gratifying. With a clearer understanding of where we stand financially, I am convinced that a number of new options for increasing our operating revenue and further reducing costs will come to light. Please give weekly, use envelopes/direct deposit, and increase your offering if you can.
Sincerely,
Fr. Andy
