I’ve started to write this article several times now and keep stopping and starting over. I can’t seem to find words adequate to express my feeling of sincere gratitude and humility over this congregation and the support we receive from you. Our Christmas collection, from what I can determine is the highest it’s ever been at $110,050.71. The automated collection for Christmas was 46 families contributing a total of $3,915 (included in the total). Our budget for the Christmas collection which is driven from last year’s actual numbers (last year’s Christmas collection was $85,630.26) was $86,000 meaning we’ve exceeded our budgeted number by over 25%. Your support of the ministry here at St. Anastasia puts this parish…your parish…in a very elite group in the Archdiocese; we are operating in the black, able to cover expenses, maintain the physical plant, make payments on loan obligations on time, plan appropriately for future maintenance, repair and equipment needs, and put some money away in a rainy day fund for emergencies (as any family does). I’m a very conservative person when it comes to handling your resources and I hope you all agree with the way we are handling the finances and the physical plant. The staff has been nothing short of fantastic in their belt tightening and the support, guidance, and advice of the boss – Father J.J. (he knows finance!) – has been a real blessing. I’m not trying to get on the bosses good side (although that’s not a bad place to be), but I’ve been in many situations in my 33 year professional career, some good and some bad but one thing holds true of all organizations including our parish – the initiative, drive, and tone is set at the top for the organization and has a habit of spreading – nuff said!
Our weekly collections continue to run close to budget, just a little ahead right now. While our fiscal year ends on June 30th, the budgeting process for next fiscal year (7/1/10 – 6/30/11) will begin in earnest next week and will run through May 15th (approved budget due at the AOD). The entire staff will be involved and at this point, I anticipate another tight year and tight budget. Remember, I’m conservative, I’d rather be pleasantly surprised at year end than be standing in front of Father J.J., the Stewardship Commission, the Parish Pastoral Council, and you the parishioners with a red face and blank stare. Don’t get me wrong, we are spending money for the things we need to ensure we deliver quality ministries to the community, but we are reviewing and looking at every purchase before it is made to ensure it is a necessary expenditure.
We are making a $41,000 payment against the smaller of our two loans, as that loan (currently at $75,839.28) is at 5.5% interest while the bigger loan (currently at $1,141,984.73) is at 5%. The $41,000 payment will bring the balance on the 1st loan down to $34,839.28 and the plan is to pay that loan off in March of 2010. We will start paying on the 2nd loan in June 2010 at the rate of $41,000 per quarter or $164,000 annually. If we continue at that rate (without any capital campaign to pay it off early) that loan will be paid off in 7 years.
I once again want to thank you for your generosity and your support of the Parish. I know many of you probably are tired of hearing me say that, but on the other hand I speak to many Business Managers at neighboring parishes and individuals at the AOD and I for one realize just how fortunate we are to have people like you that we can count on as you’ve come through time and time again. Your support is never taken for granted.
God bless, Franz
