In 2009, we had 799 registered households. Today, we have 1425 registered households. Our average age is 35. 57% of us are under 40. 27% are under 18.
Comparing ourselves to other Catholic parishes in Charlotte, whereas since 2006 they have experienced 15% growth, we have had 70% growth. Taking a look at this year alone, 2012 up to the present: 123 new families have registered and their average age is 28. So far in October alone, 11 new families have registered. This is all a blessing. We are grateful. But the blessing of our growth brings responsibilities and challenges.
So at this point, I am going to be moving into money matters. I want to talk about our parish collections, our basic source of income, and I want to say something about Diocesan finances. My question is: how are we doing at supporting ourselves as a blessed, growing parish?
Here are some important figures about our weekly income and expenditures.
In fiscal year 2008-2009:
-average weekly income- $16,414
-average weekly expenditures- $15,540
-an average of $874 in the black every week
In fiscal year 2011-2012:
-average weekly income- $17,853
-average weekly expenditures- $18,736
-an average of $883 in the RED every week
It is important to note this: in going from 2008-09 to 2011-12, we had grown from 799 households to close to 1400 households.
Our present budget for 2012-13 projects:
-average weekly income- $18,665
-average weekly expenditures- $21,400
-an average of $735 in the RED every week
We have had the blessing of growth, but we have fallen significantly short of meeting the challenge of our growth. In our present budget, we project a deficit of over $100,000. Clearly, we cannot continue on this path. It is unsustainable.
As your pastor, I ask you to give more money to the parish. If you are a weekly contributor, I ask you to consider giving more. Just a $5 increase will make a difference. If you have not been in the habit of weekly giving, I ask you, upfront, to get into the habit. We need more weekly income!
I also need to say something about Diocesan finances and how we fit into the system. In particular, I want to talk about the Diocesan Support Appeal and the Priests Retirement Fund.
DSA (Diocesan Support Appeal) is an annual campaign to support the major works of the Diocese, including the many social justice works of the Diocese. Each parish is assessed a certain amount as its campaign goal. Our assessment is $83,451. So far, we have received in payments and pledges, $50,995.73 giving us a shortfall of $32,455.27. What is very significant is that from our parish with over 1400 families, we have had 131 individual donors give to the DSA. That is a 10% participation. Also, you should know this about how the Diocesan finances work. If we as a parish do not meet our goal, then the Diocese takes the shortfall out of our operating budget. In other words, one way or another, that goal of $83,451 will be met. People have told me they want to support the parish but not the Diocese because of Amendment One, or the Nuns, or other issues. So they do not give to the DSA but continue to give to the parish. That does not work. Not giving to the DSA amounts to not giving to the parish.
Finally, the Priests Retirement Fund. This works like the DSA to support retired priests of the diocese. Our assessed goal is $28,416. We have collected $10,662. Our shortfall is $17,753. Our participation level parish wide has been 11%. Like the DSA, our shortfall will be taken out of our operating budget. Again, the goal will be met one way or another. There is some confusion here because the priests here at St. Peter for the last 26 years have been Jesuits, not regular diocesan priests. The thinking is that this retirement fund doesn’t apply to Jesuits. But, the Diocese does pay into the Jesuit Retirement Fund. So, Father Vince is presently enjoying a retirement supported by the Priests Retirement Fund, as did Father Jim Devereux before him. As will Father Tom and myself after him. I told you we already anticipate a budget deficit of $100,000. Adding on to that deficit of our present shortfalls with DSA and the Priests Retirement Fund of $32,000 and $18,000 will increase our deficit by $50,000.
To help forestall that, next weekend we are having a special second collection and calling it: Assessment Shortfall Collection. Please, please try to give what and as much as you can.
My final conclusion to this Sermon on the Amount.
As a parish, we have had and continue to have the promise of growth. And we have the problems of growth. But above all we have PROMISES to keep. We have promises to keep to our children. If we want Catholicism, our Catholic faith to be part of their future, then we simply must make the effort including providing the needed financial resources. National research centers rank Catholic students lower in religious knowledge than any other group, including non-believers. We do not want that for our children.
We have promises to keep, promises to keep here in Charlotte. As Catholics, we have made promises of social justice, promises of living a way of life that Jesus would recognize and applaud. People in Charlotte, the care-receivers and the care-givers have come to rely on us to keep our promises.
So, please, as your pastor, I ask you:
-imagine more clearly those needs not
being filled, see the people involved and turned away
-and yes, I ask you to DIG MORE DEEPLY
INTO YOUR POCKETS AND YOUR HEARTS
Let
us together keep the PROMISE of St. Peter’s parish.
Fr.
Pat Earl, SJ
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