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My Dear Parishioners,
In the homilies and presentations during the coming weeks you will be invited to open your hearts to a life of stewardship. I pray this will be a source of great promise for the future of St. Isidore Parish.
Stewardship calls us to reflect on the many ways in which we have been blessed, as individuals and as a parish. Here at St. Isidore we have many blessings. From humble beginnings our parish has grown to its present physical and spiritual magnificence in this beautiful town of Danville.
None of the spiritual or physical development of our parish could have taken place without the generous response of parishioners over the years. Nor could even the week-to-week expenses have been met without the support of so many loyal parishioners.
Today, however, we must realize that a parish is far different from one 50 years ago, or 15 or even 5. The cost of maintaining a parish plant has grown, even as the cost of operating your home has grown. In addition, today we must employ lay people to carry out many of the ministries which in the past were accomplished by our priests and sisters. Our weekly operating cost of $53,615.00 puts a constant strain on our parish finances.
Quite honestly I have been reluctant to speak about finances, but our Stewardship Committee, our Parish Finance Committee and Pastoral Council are convinced it must be done. To my knowledge nothing formal has been done for many years regarding parish support. This year our income to date is 12% below our parish budget.
This challenges each of us to make a conscious effort to respond to the Lord’s call to share our Treasure. As many improvements need to be made to upgrade our parish plant and programs, this seems to be an appropriate time to address this problem by asking for help. The help I am asking now is to increase your weekly offering.
I ask your participation in this process by dedicating some time during the next few weeks to study the Stewardship Program information we will present at all Masses. Then examine your heart, and reach a personal decision about your role as a steward of God’s gifts.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Gerard K. Moran, Pastor |
