This is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”
In St. Paul’s words to the Philippians, we are reminded that Advent is a season of discernment. Because we live in a world of competing viewpoints and clamoring voices, it can sometimes be difficult to discern what is worthy of our attention. This is especially true when partisan politics dominate our newsfeeds and while senseless acts of violence and terror present themselves on so many fronts. It’s easy to place blame, make excuses, and dig into our ideological trenches, all too often losing sight of the many goods — and lives — that are sacrificed on cable news and social media. Hearing the Lord is, therefore, quite difficult.
How can we let love grow in our hearts and minds when we are constantly bombarded by spite and condemnation? How can we let love grow in our hearts when we are constantly being conditioned to find fault in our neighbor’s actions, rather than to extend forgiveness and understanding?
Maybe St. Paul gives us a clue about how to let the Holy Spirit enter more deeply into our lives, when he prays that we learn to “discern what is of value” through hearts that are filled with love instead of animosity. The practice of discernment is not an easy task, but it is something we should strive to incorporate more and more into our daily lives. When we are engaged with someone, whether through business or personal interactions, we should try and view them and our conversation with an open heart, not one closed off by pre-supposed feelings or prejudices. And this is doubly true with spouses and family.
All too often we pick the most inconsequential thing to fight about because our hearts are closed off, and we have not let the Holy Spirit take control. Through the daily practice of discernment, we can grow closer to God so we can learn to take notice when our actions and personal motives are interfering with our freedom to live our lives in faith, hope and love. During these days of Advent, let us resolve to be more in concert with God, who is not only present in our every moment but in everything in the universe.
ANNUAL PARISH FINANCIAL REPORT – This bulletin contains a full-page financial report for the parish and school. The overall message is positive with increased revenue, decreased expenditures and reductions in deficits. The school financial report shows a significant improvement in deficit spending. The goal is to move closer to a balanced budget within the next two years.
I am very appreciative of the financial support that you offer to the mission of our parish. The Sunday and Holy Day offerings are the primary way in which we are able to sustain our parish. Your purchase of the supermarket gift cards and other direct donations supplement the weekly offertory.
On the financial report, you will see an extraordinary expenditure of $90,000. Toward the end of the summer, we had to retain a law firm as well as two analytical firms to assist in the evaluation of both our financial and physical assets. This was because we were anticipating going to trial in which this parish was the sole defendant in a sexual abuse claim from the early 1980’s. With the global settlement of the Diocesan Bankruptcy case, we no longer have to defend that case and hope to recoup the majority, if not all, of those funds.
DIOCESAN BANKRUPTCY SETTLEMENT – We are grateful to God that on December 4th, the court confirmed the Plan that resolves and ends the Bankruptcy Case for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, all our parishes, and related ministries. For the sake of abuse survivors and the Church’s mission on Long Island, we pray that the Plan brings some measure of healing to survivors and allows the Church to carry on the saving mission of Jesus Christ. Victim survivors of child abuse deserve our respect, our prayers, and our pastoral support. The Church is grateful for their courage and perseverance.
Our Parish contributed $340,362 to the settlement of all cases. These funds came from the Parish reserves. I know that the thought of our Parish contributing to a settlement can cause anger, confusion, and resentment. “Why is our parish paying anything? This was not our fault.” Please understand that the cost of bringing current or potential future historical cases against our parish to trial, especially if judgments were eventually rendered, would be devastating to the work and future of St. Rose of Lima parish. Our parishes also completed an abbreviated Chapter 11 to secure a release from any past liabilities for the parishes. No parishes are closing as a result of this process. No Catholic Ministries Appeal donations were used for this settlement. Parishes will now continue their ministry, free from historical lawsuits and free from bankruptcy.
Peace,