Our Needs

Several years ago, our parish embarked on an important facility improvement plan, the first phase of which resulted in raising $1 million toward the $1.7 million cost needed for improvements to our school building, resulting in a renewed and impressive educational center used for all of our youth and adult education endeavors.

But before we could retire the debt on this project and proceed with our needed church improvements, we were asked to participate in the Diocesan Priests for Our Future campaign and once again, our generous members stepped up to successfully meet this need.

Now we are ready to embark on the second phase of the plan and address our own parish needs.   
  
Debt Retirement.  Chief among our needs is the necessity to retire the $600,000 debt that remains on the cost of the renovation of our school building and paying back the $100,000 that we had to borrow from our own parish reserves.  This debt costs our parish $132,000 a year in principle and interest expense – equal to one fourth of our annual operating budget. And we’re not able to afford these payments without dramatic cuts to needed programs, services and ministries for our members.  Further compromising our financial situation is the fact that we have borrowed against our operating reserves and endowment to fund our now almost decade long $100,000 to $150,000 yearly operating deficit.

While your response to our recent annual stewardship appeal will allow us to address part of this deficit - to the point where we project a balanced budget for the next fiscal year, it will just get us to break even.  And breaking even will not allow us to set aside money to expand ministry, create a future maintenance or emergency fund, and is holding us back from being all that we are called to be as good stewards for the future of our church.

Other Improvements.  In addition, we still have needs to improve areas within and around our church.

•    Our church rectory is over 100 years old and is in need of many costly repairs. The building is also far too big for one resident priest.

•    Also, the sidewalks and stairs leading into the church have deteriorated to the point that they are irreparable and in need of replacement.

•    The church ceiling is cracked because of moisture damage.

•    Many parts of the church itself are not handicapped accessible, including the bathrooms and sanctuary. 

•    And our current narthex is too small and doesn’t allow people to gather together in an appropriate, weather protected space to meet, greet and get to know one another better before and after Masses and other special celebrations held in our church.  This limits our ability to connect with one another and build a stronger sense of community.