A little over a month ago the parish finance committee reported that Holy Trinity is in relatively good shape financially. What you contributed in the Sunday collection paid for all of our bills (heat & light, insurance, maintenance, salaries, Catholic Schools assessment, religious education, etc.).
We had a little left over which we’ll put in savings to meet the upcoming lighting and fire alarm projects. In short we’re paying our way. No big deal. You do it at home every week.
But guess what? That was last year. What will we do this year? The new fiscal year began July 1. And, as always happens, our yearly responsibilities repeat themselves. We heard the report about the Catholic Ministry Appeal last month. Bishop Matano and the Diocese of Rochester is asking Holy Trinity to support the charitable work of the Catholic Church with a goal of $142,000.
(This number comes from a diocesan formula that considers, 1. The number of registered families in the parish, 2. Average mass attendance, 3. Average Sunday collection, 4. Average yearly household income in this region.)
But those are just numbers. The Catholic Ministry Appeal is about people, people in need. We can’t solve all the needs in the diocese here at Holy Trinity. But together, we can make a huge difference in the lives of people we may never meet. Can I show you where your contributions go?
** Seminarians study for priesthood. (yearly tuition averages over $45,000 times 13 sems! That’s $585,000 needed per year.)
** La Casa, safe housing for migrant workers in Wayne/ Ontario Counties.
** Food and clothing shelters throughout the 12 counties of our diocese.
** Pro-life ministries helping expectant mothers find alternatives to the tragic choice of abortion by providing counseling, medical assistance, baby needs, and support along the journey.
** CYO (coaches and “CASE” training to insure safety for minors).
** Maintaining professional staffing at the Pastoral Office to help parishes with expertise in building maintenance, religious education programs, youth and campus ministry.
** Tuition assistance through the Office of Catholic Schools.
** Provides help to college campus ministries to insure a Catholic presence for young students far from their home parishes.
** Catholic Charities aid for refugee families. And much more!!
So what do we want from you? Well let’s do the math.
Rounding it off to large numbers, if 2,000 registered households at Holy Trinity each gave $70 we would make our goal. But that’s not going to happen for lots of reasons.
So what are we asking from YOU? Maybe a conversation with your spouse or children, something like, “what shall we give to help the spiritual and physical needs in our diocese?”
But then what? How much Fr. Tim?!! Each of us must decide. I have to give more for two reasons: 1. I know better than you all the good the CMA does – so I have to help. 2. I get free room and board at Holy Trinity (thanks to you!), so I’ve got some money to give to those who don’t have free room and board. (The most frequently offered pledge last year was $100.)
How about you give what one month’s cable TV/internet costs you? In the end I know you will do what you are able. God has blessed us with so much. As always (this giving thing never ends!) we need to give back in proportion to what each has received.
This is such a generous parish. I have no worry that we will do our duty.
Bless you each day.
Fr. Tim
