Dear Parishioner:
Summertime continues for all of us. The parish life continues as well. Actually our ministries and mission go forward pretty much the same throughout the year. Parishioners are in and out of the area for vacation. Our Sunday Mass attendance fluctuates more than usual. Along with this variation in the number of people, the collection basket is correspondingly lighter or heavier depending on the weekend.
What does not change is the daily arrival of bills, which is the cost of “doing business” for the parish. Utilities, salaries, insurance payments, maintenance, diocesan assessments, and mortgage statements arrive and demand payment without prejudice to the comings and goings of our summertime population. Cash flow is always a challenge for not-for-profit organizations such as the parish. Summertime cash flow is especially challenging at this time of year.
Christ the Redeemer Community needs your continued generosity and assistance. Ordinarily, we need each week about $25,000.00 to meet our expenses. As you read in the weekly bulletin, we sometimes reach that amount on the first Sunday of the month, but rarely on the following Sundays. Due to the present economy, vacation time, and rising costs, the need in our parish has become critical.
At a recent meeting, the parish Finance Committee recently approved a budget over l.7 million dollars for the coming year. This is a non-discretionary budget which does not admit to easy trimming. No capital expenses were included in this year’s budget. The basis of the new budget is based on the actuals of the past year, which reflected within 1% of our projections.
My job as pastor is to use your donations wisely in service to the Church and to people and programs of our local community. I find that challenging and exciting, but I must absolutely depend on the generosity and kindness of the people of the parish. After praying and reflecting on your current circumstances and religious priorities, please consider an increase in your weekly gift to Christ the Redeemer Parish. I wish I could say tomorrow is a good time, but our present needs require action now.
Thank you for your usual support and generosity to the parish. As a measure of your generosity, please give in proportion to the blessings of God in your life.
