Dear Parishioners,

I hope everyone reads the financial statement that is in this bulletin. It is worse than expected but there is some hope. Here are a couple of my thoughts on the financial state of the parish.

First, since the letter was written we have had one positive development: we have received some financial help from our insurance because of roof damage during a storm. So, they are going to pay for a large portion of the roof repair. We plan to begin that work soon and have the insurance pay for the whole project and pay them back over the next year. So we still need money for the roof in order to pay this debt back. But that’s at least one less stress the parish will have.

Second, I have been meeting with a fundraising committee (a subcommittee of the Finance Council). We need to wait for the spring to begin this effort, though. Because we need certain licenses to hold raffles. If you would like to help out with any fundraising endeavor, feel free to reach out.

Third, it seems that a large portion of our deficit is the cost to maintain Building 2 (formerly known as the Spiritual Center). So, we have a very important decision to make. We can either demolish the building or renovate it in order to rent it out. When we first regained control, I thought renting it to the school for classroom and office space would be likely. However, that has not panned out. Currently, we are using the building to host Bible Study, Young Adult Group and Game Night as well as letting outside groups use it like AA and Knights and Columbus. So, I would much rather prefer for it to be renovated and restored. However, I also realize that we can’t afford to sink $50,000 a year into the building since we are already running a deficit.

Please pray for the parish and please continue giving. We can only do what we do through the good will of the people of the parish.

God Bless!

Fr. Carter