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Over
the past year and a half, there has been a great deal of attention given to
parish finances. As many of you may remember, as we began our Parish Fund Appeal
last fall, the previous fiscal year showed a financial deficit of over $500,000
and the parish was working in the initial stages of an effort to lower expenses.
Over the past 18 months, there has been a consistent and combined effort in
addressing the financial needs of St. Olaf parish. This past June, we ended
another fiscal year and the final results showed that our work in budget cuts
and increase in revenue was fruitful.
In
late July, we had our annual audit and in early October, Peter Barrett, our new
Parish Administrator, and I met with the auditors. Their final report showed
that the findings of the audit confirm we ended the year with a surplus.
This
advancement is the result of a concerted effort by both staff and parishioners
and I am sincerely grateful to everyone for your help. The tightening up of the
budget, begun by Fr. Tiffany and supported by the staff, lowered our expenses.
It was sometimes difficult work, but the consistent diligence has shown a
positive result. More importantly, as a parish, you have been extraordinarily
generous in continuing to support and encourage our work here.
Mention
must also be made of the successes we have achieved in the parish over the past
year through wonderful programming opportunities, the renewal of our African
partnership, beautiful liturgy and music events, outreach through radio and
television broadcasts, your generous support of many special collections
throughout the year and our ongoing mission of making Jesus Christ known in the
heart of the city.
As
we look ahead to the coming year and preparation for the 2006 Parish Fund
Appeal, I encourage you to continue your support of our mission here in downtown
Minneapolis. As you see in our weekly bulletin, there is a great deal happening
in our parish: a new program year for the RCIA and Faith and Work series, the
evangelization initiative, the continuing work of music ministry, our
anti-racism initiative, the liturgical institute on servant leadership and
numerous areas of social outreach.
The
staff and I cannot do this alone — we need the help of all of you.
The
coming year will bring with it a new series of challenges as we continue our
mission. With the continuing growth in the downtown area, there are new
opportunities for outreach for which we will need your support. Each week
countless people walk through our doors in need of services we are able to
provide, whether that is assistance with food, transportation, spiritual needs
or to join our community for prayer. We have an integral mission downtown and
with your continued assistance, we will be able to maintain this work, perhaps
even enhance it, without having to rely on cash reserves.
In
next week’s bulletin, there will be more information on the financial trends
of the last few years, and I will be speaking at all the Masses about the fund
appeal. For now, I ask you to begin praying about your involvement in this
year’s appeal.
When
I was installed as pastor, I asked you to pray for me as I undertook this great
responsibility. I know you have been praying, because I feel the support of
those prayers. Because of this assurance, I ask you now to pray about our future
and how you will help us in our work. I have received constant words of
encouragement and kindness over the past six months which tell me of the great
love you have for St. Olaf. I hardly know how to put my gratitude into words. I
can simply say it as best I know how: Thank you!
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