 Fr.
Tom's Tomes April 30, 2006
In just a matter of hours we will be entering the month of May. May closes school years and begins the traditional summer months for many individuals and families. There are many activities planned from the closing of the school year of the early learning center, to the graduation of our 8th graders on Friday May 12 to the luncheon for our graduating seniors from high school. The beginning of May is always an exciting and busy time of the year for many families. Around all of the activities we are doing one thing is important and that is to remember the blessings God has bestowed on each and all of us. On the Second Sunday of May we will begin an annual parish pledge drive. Many parishioners are familiar with a pledge drive for a capital improvement campaign. An annual parish pledge drive is the opportunity for all parishioners to make a commitment to support the parish financially throughout the year. What will happen is that about a week or week and half from now each registered family will receive a letter from me with a pledge card and return envelope. The letter will invite and encourage every family to make a pledge to St. Columban for financial support over this next year. Your response to the pledge drive will help us to plan the financial expenditures for our parish for this upcoming year. Every wage earner in the household is asked to support the parish. If a person has a part time job we would encourage even them to help support the parish. If both adults in the household are Catholic and are working we would ask to have the pledge to the parish based upon the combined income of both adults. If both adults would like to have their own set of envelopes to contribute and will use both sets we would provide two sets of envelopes. To figure out how much I am asking you to contribute to the support of the parish is to sit down and figure out what is your gross income. Gross income is the amount of money a person earns before taxes, 401 K plans, insurance options and any other deductions come from your pay check. Then I invite you to give 5% of your gross income to the parish, 1% of your gross income to the Diocesan Pledge Drive and 4% to other charities of your choice. If you do not know of other charities to contribute to a person may choose to contribute to the parish or to the diocese. Supporting the parish is our response to God. It is returning to God from the blessings we have received from God. Secondly, supporting the parish assists the parish in paying for its expenses. At this time St. Columban has a debt of approximately $65,000 from previous years expenses. We also are responsible for the salaries of all employees which includes the priest and parish secretary, the staffs of both Bishop Hogan Memorial School and Bishop Hogan Early Learning Center. I believe we are controlling the costs both in the school and early learning center. I would like to see the weekly income of the parish increase so we can begin to expand the ministries for the senior high youth of the parish and ministries for those who are older members of our church community. You will hear around town rumors about the school. I have made some hard decisions to limit the number of teachers for next year based upon the pre-enrollment numbers we have received. The school will be good and will be able to function very efficiently. It is my hope to now ask parishioners to increase your gift to the parish so we can continue to provide ministries to parishioners of all ages in our parish. If you would like to talk with me please call and either we can talk over the phone or make an appointment to meet. Budgeting and controlling costs are not easy. Together, you and I will be able to make St. Columban a place of ministry for all parishioners. God bless you this week. |