Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your faithful ones bless you. Psalm 145:10
In addition to being a month dedicated to remembering the faithfully departed, November culminates in the celebration of Thanksgiving. Gratitude, therefore, is a component of remembrance. As we remember loved ones, we are moved to give thanks for the blessings they have been in our lives. As a priest and pastor, I am ever grateful for the time, talent, and treasure of the parish faithful. I have, therefore, made it my custom to present a financial report to the parish during this month of remembrance and gratitude. Often, I will make a preached “state of the parish” report, along with a published one. Next week, we will begin the yearlong celebration of our 75th anniversary, and I am choosing to let that experience speak for us as we reflect on our parish life.
On the following page, you will find details about our parish and school’s financial standing. The financial report shows that we continue to improve or maintain a balance between revenue and expenditure. While costs continue to rise, we have seen moderate increases in offertory contributions, donations, and fundraising. Notably, St. Rose of Lima School increased fundraising revenue by $120,000, thanks to another successful summer festival and its inaugural golf outing. Several parishioners donate directly from their IRA through a Qualified Charitable Distribution. We are also occasionally named as beneficiaries of Wills and Trusts. All of this helps create stable and sometimes positive financial outcomes, allowing our parish to continue its mission.
The greatest impact on expenditures comes from fixed and ever-rising costs associated with benefits, Social Security and both liability and medical insurance. Another extraordinary expenditure was snow removal. We experienced an extraordinary amount of snow this past winter, resulting in approximately $50,000 in snow removal costs. We are also continuing to contribute to the settlement trust created to settle the diocesan and parish lawsuits stemming from the Child Victims Act. These contributions, which will continue for the next few years, are offset by reduced annual pension contributions.
Next week, I will share a spiritual report detailing our parish ministries. More impactful than the report will be the Ministry Fair following the 12:00 Mass. There, you will see our parish ministries on display. Finally, I want to share the good news that we continue to see an overall increase in Sunday Mass attendance. I am inspired and encouraged by this growth.
The stewardship and accountability presented in the financial report are a testament to the dedication of our business office. In addition, we are blessed with a hardworking operations and facilities staff who not only provide physical labor but also bring creativity and flexibility in responding to multiple events and unexpected challenges. Our rectory office staff are the epitome of multitaskers, shifting seamlessly among answering phones, sorting mail, scheduling events, compiling data, distributing information, and keeping the pastor on task. They are often the first face and voice someone encounters when engaging with the parish.
We are richly blessed here at Saint Rose of Lima, and we will now embark on a year that celebrates those blessings while looking ahead to our future. Your prayers, generosity, and faith are the foundation of all we do together. In challenging times, we know the Holy Spirit is upon us and that Jesus Christ reigns in our parish and among its families.
HONORING VETERANS – This Wednesday, we honor all who have served our nation as members of our Armed Forces. Their sacrifices made it possible for us to be the nation we are today, a democratic republic that enables us to select servant leaders who are obliged to put the needs of its people above their own self-interests. We can never take for granted the men and women who have defended and continue to defend our nation and its democratic and peaceful transfer of power. In addition, our service men and women model the call to care for the common good. We ask for God’s blessings on our Veterans and give thanks for their families who support them.
PRAYING FOR VOCATIONS – Last week, National Vocation Awareness Week was observed in our country. Please ask Our Lord for more dedicated, holy priests, deacons, and consecrated men and women. May they be inspired by Jesus Christ, supported by our faith community, and respond generously to God’s call to vocation.
Peace!
