My dear friends,
This weekend, I’m presenting the annual report. You will be receiving an accounting of the finances for 2018. Thanks to our business manager, Marc Ingriselli, and to the work of our wonderful finance council, I can happily say that we ended the year in the black. Thanks to our plant manager, Casey Potthoff, and the buildings and grounds committee, I can happily tell you the properties are being managed well. Thanks to our deacons and liturgy committee, I can report that the Masses and other services are being well served and well attended. It has been a good year, but you will have heard this at Mass. So what else can I tell you?
Last year, I had only been here just over half a year when I made the annual report. I was still new, and I could only account for part of what had happened. This year, I come with more certainty. I know about all the projects that happened and all the expenditures. I know the events that took place and the choices that were made. After the audit of the books, I am more confident that I have a handle on the financial past and future of the parish. This year, I can present the facts with a greater degree of certainty.
I also make this report knowing that this is my home. I’m not the new guy trying to learn names. No, now I am the settled pastor who has forgotten your names when I need them and recall them in the middle of the night! I have started to make the connections of which family is related to others and how. Now I’m the man who can drive around town knowing how to avoid Queen Street at rush hour and understanding what times of day it isn’t worth trying to make a left hand turn from Eden Avenue onto Main Street. I’ve learned those hot-button issues in the parish, like the ongoing debate over whether or not they should have torn down the old rectory. (I know someone is just seething reading that statement, and some will say, “There was another rectory?”) This is home and I now know my place. That’s a good thing.
So, after more than a year and half here, what can I say? Well, I now know what things stored away in closets are needed and what’s just clutter. (Now I can begin decluttering some of the closets, drawers, cabinets and rooms.) I appreciate the wonderful crew of staff, ministers, and volunteers with whom I work. I’m grateful I have good people who help me serve better. I can tell you I am committed to continue providing the best opportunities for people to learn more about their faith, either through our school or catechism program, the RCIA and other adult classes and programs, not to mention using this bulletin. I can let you know that our parish is trying to continue to serve the homebound and find new ways to expand that ministry. I am happy to say I am here to help St. Thomas parish continue to grow and help the Catholic Community in Southington thrive. That’s what I can say and I’m glad.
Gratefully yours in Christ, Fr. Joe
February 10, 2019
My dear friends,
Someone posed as me online. Emails were sent looking for online gift cards. The hope was that hearing from a priest about a family dealing with cancer would pull at your heart strings. Surely, you’d believe your pastor about such a thing. It was clever, evil – but clever. It highlights a big problem.
There are plenty of people in this world abusing your generosity. When a disaster strikes, fake charities arise. Thieves try to take good will to profit for themselves. They have no intention of rebuilding after the hurricane or fire. In the rush to be of use, people don’t always stop to think about where the funds go. When asked to help, stop and think.
Catholic Relief Services was founded by US bishops to assist the survivors of World War II in Europe. Since then, they’ve expanded to reach more than 100 nations. When you donate to them, 93 cents of every dollar goes directly to services they deliver. (That’s compared to the American Red Cross, where 89 cents of every dollar goes to services.) With the global reach of the Catholic Church, there are offices worldwide. No one needs to go into a disaster; Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief Services are already living and working there. Locally, Catholic Charities works to help the poor and homeless, care for the sick, and provide counseling services to individuals and families. When you give to them, your gift truly does make a difference.
There are other great agencies with very high ratings for percentage of donations going to services. CARE USA works around the world to achieve social justice and defeat poverty. All Hands and Hearts Smart Response goes into areas struck by natural disasters around the world working to rebuild with a minimal impact on damaged infrastructures. Unbound provides financial support to encourage families and individuals living on the margins of society to improve their lives. United Methodist Committee Relief alleviates suffering due to war, disasters, or poverty globally. Rotary Foundation of Rotary International strives to advance peace through improvements to health and education. Comic Relief aims to eliminate poverty and improve the living conditions of children and the disadvantaged in the US and around the world. There are many places to donate knowing your contributions really go to making a difference.
I’m not going to send an email to you for gift cards; that’s not my style! I ask that you think about your support. I have to tell you where your gifts go here. We put the ramp on the rectory to make it accessible to all last year. This year, we will be replacing gutters on the church. Our support of the clinic in Uganda is truly helping alleviate the suffering of the sick. So, consider this an appeal before you see any more emails. Don’t be jaded and stop caring; instead, love while using your reason. Think about where and how you give.