Brother can you spare - $60,000
Every week I check out the collection figures posted in the St. Theodore's bulletin.
They are not looking good.
If the most recent weekly average holds up, we will end the fiscal year June 30 about $60,000 - or maybe more - below our goal.
That means a shortfall of about 11 percent.
Where does a parish that includes a lot of seniors, retirees, and working class folks get more money?
The diocese closed the regional junior high located in our parish school, so we lost that rent. The parish has had the old convent up for sale for a year now. No takers.
Father Steve is not one of those preaching for money types. He only occasionally brings it up. I think he knows that there are many people who don't have a lot more to give.
Yeah, I'm sure some people could give more. How many of us have cable, high speed internet, eat out, etc. - then toss in five bucks every weekend (as we've been doing for 20 years)?
But there are also people who have cut back already at home. Giving more would be difficult.
The parish has tried various events and fundraisers, but the money is not forthcoming.
The staff has already been reduced: It would be hard to make more cuts. What programs can we let go?
Something has to give.
I'd hate to be a pastor trying to keep a parish in the black these days.
So what to do?
We need a Father O'Malley writing a song about swinging on a star.
I wish I had $60,000 to spare. Imagine the look on Father's face if our weekly collection suddenly jumped to $69,000 one week.
Anyone out there have a few extra dollars hanging around? Visit St. Theodore's some Sunday and toss them into the collection basket.
They are not looking good.
If the most recent weekly average holds up, we will end the fiscal year June 30 about $60,000 - or maybe more - below our goal.
That means a shortfall of about 11 percent.
Where does a parish that includes a lot of seniors, retirees, and working class folks get more money?
The diocese closed the regional junior high located in our parish school, so we lost that rent. The parish has had the old convent up for sale for a year now. No takers.
Father Steve is not one of those preaching for money types. He only occasionally brings it up. I think he knows that there are many people who don't have a lot more to give.
Yeah, I'm sure some people could give more. How many of us have cable, high speed internet, eat out, etc. - then toss in five bucks every weekend (as we've been doing for 20 years)?
But there are also people who have cut back already at home. Giving more would be difficult.
The parish has tried various events and fundraisers, but the money is not forthcoming.
The staff has already been reduced: It would be hard to make more cuts. What programs can we let go?
Something has to give.
I'd hate to be a pastor trying to keep a parish in the black these days.
So what to do?
We need a Father O'Malley writing a song about swinging on a star.
I wish I had $60,000 to spare. Imagine the look on Father's face if our weekly collection suddenly jumped to $69,000 one week.
Anyone out there have a few extra dollars hanging around? Visit St. Theodore's some Sunday and toss them into the collection basket.
posted by A Secular Franciscan | 5:18 PM
3 Comments:
When I was there a few weeks back they were taking up a second collection for the Catholic Ministries Appeal. That will add to the debt.
I was wondering what the "For Sale" sign was for.
Today with the healing Mass at the St. Padre Pio Chapel, attendance looked down. Don't know what the collection was for today. Last weekend's attendance was 873 - with the collection at $8,127.32.
Still looking like about $60,000 short for the fiscal year.
Interstate - next time you're there, stop up and say hi.
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