On the Weekend of February 15/16, 2020
2019 Parish Financial Report
This weekend, I am presenting the 2019 State of the Parish Financial Report at each of the Masses.
There are three parts to my Talk:
1) the Mini Spiritual Report for 2019
2) The Parish Financial Report for 2018-19
3) The 2020 Catholic Ministries Appeal
1) Mini Spiritual Report by the Numbers for 2019
In 2019, there were 24 Baptisms, 8 English and 16 Spanish
in 2019, 24 Second Graders celebrated the Sacrament of First Reconciliation on February 9.
On March 30, 20 9th Graders celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation and 2 Adults were confirmed in 2019
In 2019, 24 children made their First Communion on May 5.
In 2019, there were 4 English Weddings and 3 Spanish Weddings.
in 2019 we had 46 Funerals, including:
35 Funeral Masses
7 Prayers at the Funeral Home
3 Prayers at the Cemetery
and 1 Memorial Mass.
2019 was a good year spiritually here at Saint Agnes Parish!
Graphically, you see the numbers for the 2019 Mini Spiritual Report on the front of today’s Parish Bulletin!
2) The Parish Financial Report for 2018-19
A 6 Year Summary of our Parish Finances is printed in today’s Bulletin.
When you look at the Summary, you will see that for each of the past five years, we have ended the Fiscal Year in the black, with a surplus each year. And so, we have not had to touch any of our Parish Reserves during these past five years but have added to them!
Looking at the Financial Report for the Fiscal Year that ended last August 31 you will see that we ended the Fiscal Year with a sizable surplus thanks to 2 Will Bequests from Parishioners we received this past year.
You will also see that for the past five years, the Sunday Collections have remained about the same each year, thanks to an increasing Spanish Mass Collections.
Thanks to your continuing and faithful generosity each week in the Sunday Collections and the Will Bequests we have received each year Saint Agnes Parish has ended each year in the black with a surplus and money in the bank! I feel I will be leaving the Parish in June in good, sound financial basis for the future!
Faith Direct – I would like to thank the 42 Parishioners make their Parish Donations through Faith Direct. Each week we are assured of their support, whatever the weather is and whether they are in Florida or Greenport! I thank the 42 Parishioners for so generously supporting Saint Agnes Parish every week through Faith Direct! Please consider signing up to making your Weekly Parish Donations through Faith Direct.
I thank you for your continued support of the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) here on Long Island. Every year when we support the CMA, we renew the opportunity to witness Jesus. The Appeal fuels the engine of dramatic missionary growth in our Diocese and unites us as One Family in Mission. The spirit of joining together to witness Christ in carrying out these works of mercy is what Pope Francis envisioned when he encouraged us to become an "evangelizing community of missionary disciples".
This weekend, as we begin the 2020 Catholic Ministries Appeal here in Saint Agnes Parish, I first would like to thank those 154 parishioners who made pledges and payments in last year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal. Last year 154 parishioners of Saint Agnes pledged a total of $42,402. I thank you for your generosity! Because we went over our Parish Goal of $39,000 in payments, Saint Agnes Parish has received back in rebate a total of $9,000. I think it is important to note that in the last five years that I have encouraged you to support the Catholic Ministries Appeal, Saint Agnes Parish has received back in rebates a total of $73,000, which has helped our Parish financially!
I invite you to prayerfully consider a gift to this year's CMA. Please take a moment to reflect on the many ways our families and neighbors are able to witness Christ because of our support of the Catholic Ministries Appeal.
Whether you are one of the faithful 154 parishioners who each year make a generous pledge in the CMA or someone who is making a new pledge for the first time this year, there are Pledge Forms in the pews today with pencils. (Pledge Forms and pencils are at the end of each pew!) If you made a Pledge last year, you can either fill out a Pledge Form today or you can return the Pledge Form you recently received in the letter last week.
Please take a moment now to fill out a Pledge Form, indicating how much you are able to pledge this year. No payment is needed today. You will be billed each month by the Catholic Ministries Office. No amount is too small and all will help us reach our Parish Goal! After you have filled out a Pledge Form, you may give it to me as you leave Mass today or place it in today’s Collection. If you wish to pay by credit card, please see me after Mass and I can give you the necessary form! I will make my contribution to the 2020 Catholic Ministries Appeal and I ask you to do the same today!
There are Pamphlets describing the work of the CMA on the table in the Vestibule!
I thank you for your great generosity and faithfulness in the Catholic Ministries Appeal! Your gift today will make a difference in someone’s life here on Long Island!
I am very happy to share with you the state of our Parish’s Spiritual life and our Parish Finances. We all have a responsibility and a part to play in the spiritual and the financial well-being of our Parish. I thank you for your faithful generosity towards Saint Agnes Parish! Together may we continue to faithfully grow into the Body of Christ here in Saint Agnes Parish!
Saint Agnes, pray for us!
Delivered by Father Richard at each of the Masses, February 15/16, 2020.