Weekly Message from Father Gase

My Dear Parishioners,

A few weeks ago I presented a snapshot of the 2019-2020 fiscal year for you to review. While I was happy to report that our parish is in a state of overall financial health you have also probably been noticing that the weekly collections are way, way down. Certainly this is due to the coronavirus pandemic -decreased Mass attendance (in reviewing numbers we are down about half) and many families having been affected by furloughs/layoffs, terminations, etc. As a friend said to me: "2020 has done us wrong!" Truer words were never spoken.

Despite the pandemic we still have our expenses here at the parish. We still have to pay salaries, employee benefits, utilities, routine maintenance, and so on. While it is absolutely true that we were able to profit a net gain this past fiscal year I believe it would be prudent to not rely on the reserve funds which we have accrued. After crunching some numbers we will be behind $100,000 at the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2021) if the current trend continues. This does not include Christmas or Easter collections! This is very sobering, and is entirely reflective of the current COVID-19 pandemic in which we currently find ourselves.

I would humbly like to ask for your assistance. If you are able, please prayerfully consider an increased contribution to our Sunday collection. There are also upcoming opportunities for giving: our monthly raffle and our Fall Family Fun Day (usually "Night" but this year we're having to think outside the box and adjust to an all day affair to accommodate social distancing). You will be receiving upcoming mailings for both the monthly raffle and Fall Family Fun Day. Keep an eye on your mailbox! I humbly ask for your support of these efforts.

These are difficult times in which we find ourselves. However, when families fall on hard times it presents a golden opportunity for family members to rally together and come back even stronger. Our parish is a family and I'm convinced that we will come out stronger on the other side.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago in my bulletin article: your generosity will always be respected and appreciated. It is a promise I will always stand by!

Immaculate Mary, pray for us!

Father Gase