Parishioner Financial Reports: An Update and a Concern…

The Finance Councils and I decided I should draw your attention to a brief but important update on the annual Parish Financial Reports discussed at Masses and in the Parish Grand Annual mailings a month ago. From July through September (our first quarter), both parishes were able to keep expenses on budget, but with increasing utility costs that will become more difficult. This is a primary reason why we had to increase the Offertory income anticipated at St. Mary (back to pre-pandemic level), and make cuts to other budget lines this year. We need the parishioners of both of our collaborative parishes to do what each of us can to help us reach or exceed these increased Offertory. What we did not anticipate is concern on the income side (numbers published in last week’s bulletin), showing St. Martha income is keeping pace but St. Mary Offertory has not risen to the level we need to minimize our use of savings. After the first three months’ parish collections fell short a total of $5,000, alarmingly the St. Mary Offertory was under budget more than $5,000 in October alone. Perhaps we did not emphasize enough the concerns and the needed increase in Offertory.
Meanwhile, our Pastoral Team and support staff are already bearing our share of the burden as well, as I announced in this column on August 28: “Although we were able to avoid layoffs in our Plainville-Wrentham Catholic collaborative, I had to cut back the hours worked by most of our staff in order to bring the operating budget at St. Mary into balance and strengthen the budget at St. Martha. This is sad because every one of them works for our parishes because of their faith and desire to see our mission succeed.” During the height of the pandemic, even with reduced number of ministries, it was very stressful on Fr. Lambert, the Deacons, and I to have to run the parishes with very limited staffing. We do not want to further reduce staffing during this time when ministries are finally back in full swing, as it will limit our ability to continue these ministries, support our generous volunteers, and embrace whatever new direction the Lord wants us to go to meet parishioners’ needs going forward.
Please know that I do not mean to pressure you – especially if you are also having trouble making ends meet in your household. It is just that we decided we need to keep you informed about this growing problem. Hopefully last month was an aberration, but still we need the help of those who can afford it to reverse the trend so we can meet the Offertory budget. Thank you for your time, consideration, and continued prayers for the success of our collaborative parishes’ ministries.
- Fr. Joe

Eagle Scout Project Brings New Flag Pole to St. Mary Campus

As we celebrate Veterans Day this weekend, we are happy to announce that John Wassersug, a parishioner and an Eagle Scout Candidate, has chosen to lead a service project that is both patriotic and benefits one of our parishes: the research, installation, and beautification of a new flagpole on the campus of St. Mary church. This project fulfills a longtime wish of the primary donor, the Fr. Coffey Council of the Knights of Columbus, so the U.S. Flag can be flown on its own pole (with the Papal Flag and any other banners on the old pole). If the weather cooperates, Johnathon will lead a group of Scouts, volunteers, and consultants in the initial steps of installation this weekend. They will also light the flagpole and prepare a flowerbed where new flowers will be placed when the planting season arrives. We look forward to seeing this project take shape!