Brothers and Sisters in Christ –
 
The last two weeks have been filled with those things that I find to be the less enjoyable part of pastoring: business meetings, finances, and maintenance.  Allow me to touch on each of those areas in this weekly reflection.
 
Business Meetings … last Friday I met with an agent from Catholic Mutual which is the diocesan insurance company.  We took a walk around the property.  While the agent was happy with the general overall condition of things there were, of course, areas that “failed” her inspection and will require a resolution once she submits her report.  We have an old fuse box in the sacristy (which I never noticed) that needs to be removed; trip hazards in the basement and near the choir; broken concrete at the entrance to the church that will have to be repaired; baby changing stations that need to be replaced; and emergency lights that need to be tested.  She noted that we don’t have an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and that our First Aid Kit in the kitchen isn’t fully stocked.  She asked questions about our heaters and when the filters were last changed.  Our hour-long meeting ended with my head spinning as I tried to answer her questions and make mental notes as things were being pointed out to me.
 
Maintenance … this brings me to a topic that I raised in the past to both our Finance Committee and Parish Pastoral Council.  We don’t have a maintenance person employed at St. A’s outside of those women who clean for us.  Honestly, we don’t have enough work to employ someone full-time or even part-time.  However, there are maintenance needs that are beyond my abilities.  Actually, most of them are beyond my abilities!  When I haven’t been able to fix something on my own, I’ve reached out to a few parishioners for guidance.  I realize that the time has come to form a maintenance committee who can take this part of the job off of my plate and reach out to those professionals that we may need to bring in for repairs and such.
 
Finances … as I mentioned in last week's column, the Finance Committee is working with me on a security system for the parish.  The missing statue of the Blessed Mother that I wrote about last week reinforced what I already knew, namely, the doors leading into our worship space don’t provide security.  Someone once said to me, “We know how to use a knife to get the lock open.”  While it’s sad to have our small wooden statue taken, my greatest concern is the tabernacle which holds the Blessed Sacrament.  We can’t have doors that aren’t securely locked.
 
The security system will be a considerable expense.  Resolving the issues that the insurance agent pointed out will be an additional expense.  The budget for the next fiscal year was submitted to the diocese and, while we have money in the bank, we can’t deplete that to the point of needing to seek out a loan from the diocese if we have a truly exorbitant expense in the future due to a repair or emergency.
 
Each month I share our collection totals with you.  The weekly collection has been increasing but it’s still just enough to cover our monthly bills with a little left over.  I have had a number of parishioners wanting to do more programming, but it’s my responsibility to weigh each request against our budget and what we can responsibly afford.
 
With that, I ask you to consider what you’re donating to the parish each week or month.  Is it possible to increase your offering just a bit?  I hate when I have to turn down an expense but, again, I have to be a responsible steward for the money that’s donated.  Fortunately, we have an excellent Finance Council who advises me and monitors our budget.
 
Starting in the new fiscal year I will provide you with our monthly income along with our monthly expenses.  That will allow you to see what’s coming in and going out.  THANK YOU for all that you do to help our small parish stay on stable financial ground.  And THANK YOU for continuing to help in any way that you can.
 
 
A few announcements:
 
 
Summer Mass Schedule … The Parish Pastoral Council, after hearing from parishioners, has decided that we will have one Sunday Mass at 9:30 a.m. for the months of July and August.  THIS IS NOT A PERMANENT TIME CHANGE!  The regular Mass schedule will resume on Sunday, September 1.  The music will be provided by the Gospel Choir with the assistance of Lora Wade, our 8:15 Mass cantor.
 
 
Rosary … Will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday in our worship space.  All are welcome!
 
 
Nicene Creed … The Solemnity of Pentecost marked the end of the Easter season.  During the season of Ordinary Time, we’ll be praying the Nicene Creed at Mass.
 
 
Missing Statue … As I mentioned last week, the small wooden statue of our Blessed Mother that sits on a table in the corner near the choir is missing.  If anyone knows anything about our missing statue, please let me know. 
 
 
Parish Security … The Finance Committee and I have been looking into a security system for the parish.  There are so many keys out there that we have absolutely no control over the comings and goings at the parish.  Additionally, the doors leading into our worship space aren’t secure.  Our plan is to replace the locks on the two doors entering the parish.  We’ll also put a lock on the door leading into the parish hall that can be open with either a key fob or passcode.  That will become the main entrance for anyone needing to enter the building.  We’ve already received one bid and are waiting for two more bids before a decision is made.  It’s imperative that we keep the parish secure at all times.
 
 
Maintenance Committee … If you are interested in being part of this committee, please see me or send an email expressing your interest. 
 
 
Scam … It has come to my attention that some parishioners have received texts and/or emails from “me” requesting money.  I would NEVER ask you for money, gift cards, etcetera that benefits myself.  My email account has obviously been hacked.  Please disregard anything from “me” asking you for money, gift cards, or the like!
 
 
May Donations …  THANK YOU for your generosity.  Your financial gifts, totaling $7313.63 last month, allows us to continue and grow our ministries at St. A’s, as well as to care for our parish building and property.
                
 
Youth Group … This week I received a check in the amount of $1,000 from Sacred Heart Parish at Notre Dame.  The gift was from their Social Justice Committee and is to be used for our youth group.  I sent a letter on behalf of the parish expressing our gratitude for their generosity.
 
 
Sacraments … If your child(ren) are of the age to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, or Confirmation in 2025, please schedule a meeting with me to discuss sacramental preparation beginning in the fall.
 
 
Celebrate Juneteenth … The people of St. A’s are invited to join the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of St. Peter Claver, Court #416, on Saturday, June 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a short Prayer Service followed by a potluck dinner and games.  Everyone is encouraged to bring spouses, adult/minor children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, godchildren, etc.  There will be games (Connect Four, Jenga, Croquet, Cornhole, and others) to play.  This family event will be a time that grandparents, aunts/uncles can bond with the younger members of the family.  For more information, please contact: Cheryl Ashe at [email protected].
 
 
Annual Parish Picnic … Will be held from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 25 at the St. Patrick County Park.  Please mark your calendars. 
 
Women’s Group … The next gathering will be on Saturday, June 29 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.  The meeting will be either via Zoom or in person.  Please watch for an email confirming the location.  Any women of the parish are welcome.  Please contact Sr. Betty at [email protected].
 
 
St. Augustine, pray for us.
 
 
Fr. John, C.S.C.