Our Shared Commitment to Faith Formation

One thing Fr. Bill and I have both felt strongly about for a long time is that Faith Formation (including religious education and youth ministry) is an essential part of our mission as parishes. We all share in the responsibility of helping parents to hand on our faith to the next generation, through teaching, providing engaging activities, and through prayer and example. During each of our terms as pastor, we have never expected our programs for children and youth to be "self-funding". Instead, the priests, staff, volunteers and parishioners put significant effort and resources into this part of our mission, including a significant financial commitment of parish funds.

While we will continue this dedication of effort and resources, practical circumstances have led both of our Parish Finance Councils to recommend an increase in the registration fees for students in all grade levels (1st grade through the Confirmation program). We are blessed with excellent Faith Formation staff, who have diligently worked to limit and reduce costs where possible, but with inflation and a decrease in the overall number of students we serve, the parish subsidies are beyond what the parishes can afford. Past budget deficits at St. Martha have taken their toll on savings, and St. Mary is facing deficits both this year and next. We need the families that participate in these programs to share part of the increased financial burden.

The fees have remained unchanged for at least four years (longer in some cases) at a rate that is less than almost every parish around us. After consulting the Collaborative Pastoral Council and the Pastoral Team (staff) about the Finance Councils' recommendation, there is a broad consensus that the fees should be raised $25 per student, so that is what I have agreed to implement. This means registration for those in Grades 1-6 is now $100 for one year, and for those in Pre-Confirmation (middle school) and Confirmation is now $150 per year. To offset this cost to families, we continue to offer one free registration for Catechists (teachers), and discounts for parents who commit to volunteer in the program. In addition, the Councils proposed a new family cap, so anyone who has more than three students the program should contact their Faith Formation office to invoke the family cap.

Most importantly, Faith Formation of children and youth remains a shared commitment between parents and our parishes, and children in families facing financial hardship will always be welcome in our programs. While I am not happy about having to increase these fees, it is part of my role as pastor to make sure we are being good stewards of the resources in our parishes. I am filled with hope and joy, though, to be part of these two parish families of faith where we help care for one another with our time, talents, and treasure - may we all continue to grow as disciples in knowledge and love of our Catholic faith and ways to hand it on to others.