August 2008
Dear Parishioners at Christ the Redeemer,
The faith community consistently, in my experience as Pastor, responds to needs, which are presented to it. Quite frankly, the parish need which I bring to you is our present financial situation. For several months our collections have not been able to keep up with our disbursements. Several of you have mentioned that simply by noting the decline in our Sunday Offertory collections shown in the bulletin. We have been down two thousand dollars or more each weekend. This reality translates into missing eight thousand dollars or more each month, which is planned for supporting our practical and ministerial needs.
This past month, for the first time since our new construction, left us paying the mortgage of over $31,000.00 with much difficulty. We managed to pay the major part of our electric bill leaving a deficit to pay this month. Left unpaid was several thousand dollars in major and smaller financial obligations. And now a new month begins for the gathering of even more bills.
What I have done as Pastor is to consult with the Parish Finance Committee, to pursue different solutions of cash flow with our bookkeeper and a member of the Committee, and I have asked the staff to make only absolutely essential purchases. With much thought, I found it necessary to temporarily suspend even charitable donations until there is resolution to our current situation.
What I ask you to consider as your part of the solution is:
• As a generous giver, make sure that your weekly or monthly offertory gift is made.
• If you give in cash to the collection, be generous in your giving each week.
• If you have forgotten the parish this summer, make up your financial commitment.
• If you can increase your weekly gift just a bit, please do.
• Give 20 or 25% more to the monthly debt reduction fund.
• To rescue the parish in this situation, give a significant gift of cash or stock to the parish.
Check the bulletin for our success of at least $25,000.00 weekly. As your Pastor be sure that I, the Finance Committee, and the Staff are conserving the resources which you give us. God’s work and the Parish ministry need your regular support and, at this time, your extra generosity in our shared parish life.
Sincerely in Christ,
(Fr.) C. Donald Howard, S.A.
Pastor
