At our May 2 Parish Council meeting, we reviewed the up to date (July 1-March 31, 2023) Profit and Loss statement and the comparison with the same time period for fiscal year 2021-22.
- Sunday giving is up slightly $152,000 to $162,000, a $10,000 increase.
- Weekday giving is also up from $19,000 to $34,000, a $14,000 increase.
- Overall giving is down due to one major gift from one person during fiscal year 2021-22 which was not repeated in this fiscal year.
- Online giving, especially Venmo, is up significantly.
- Income from weddings is up by nearly $20,000 ($57,000 to $77,000).
- Without weddings Saint John’s would be in serious deficit spending. Weddings are a wonderful ministry, but they require a lot of work for our staff and our pastor.
- Employee and clergy expenses are down by about $10,000, primarily because of overpayment of clergy medical benefits in the last fiscal Year. We have had several months where we paid no clergy medical benefits in this fiscal year; though now we have used up the overpayment and are now paying monthly benefits.
- Church and friary maintenance costs are up by over $35,000 ($13,000 last year to $48,000 this fiscal year) due to a number of necessary repairs. There have been an unusual number of maintenance needs in recent months including a new water pump for the friary, leaks in the church roof and repairs to the ceiling and electrical systems; we also had church air conditioning and plumbing problems.
- It is not likely that we can make this year a $100,00 payment on our debt. Our hope now is to pay $50,000 at the end of the fiscal year.
Once again, I ask for your generous support for Saint John Church. Saint John’s is a wonderful ministry. But we need the support of our friends and parishioners.
Catholic Social Services MANNA collections
Catholic Social Services is sponsoring its annual MANNA food collection to stock food pantries for the summer. Summer is an especially difficult time for food donations. Because of inflation, many families have a hard time paying for the food. Saint John parishioners and friends are invited to take home a MANNA bag on Sundays May 14 and 21 and to return the bag filled with food to church on Sundays, May 21 and 28 or at any time during the last two weeks of May. The food will be donated to our neighbors at Saint Malachy and our Capuchin sponsored food pantry at Padre Pio Prayer Center in Frankford.
Manna is the name of the bread that God provided for the people of Israel during their years in the desert after they left Egypt and before they came to the promised land.
Jack’s Yacs event
All young adults (people in their 20s and 30s) are invited on Sunday, June 4 after the 6 PM Mass to join a barbeque in the friary patio behind the church.
Confirmation
Saint John Church plans to begin a Confirmation preparation program for school age children (grades 6 through high school) in the Fall of 2023, culminating in the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation in the Spring of 2024. If there are children who wish to join our Confirmation program, please contact Father Tom.
Holy Redeemer Procession and May Crowning
On Sunday, May 21, Holy Redeemer will celebrate its annual Mass for the Catholic Church in China, followed by a May procession and crowning of the statue of the Blessed Mother in the church yard. The Mass will be at 11:15 AM and all Saint John’s parishioners and friends are welcome.
Summer picnic
All Saint John’s parishioners and friends are invited to a summer picnic on Sunday, July 9 from 12 noon to 3 PM in the patio behind the friary and the parish center. Volunteers are needed to prepare food and organize activities. If you’d like to help, contact Father Tom.
Capuchin Province of Saint Augustine 150th anniversary
In 1873, three Capuchin friars came from Bavaria to found a new Capuchin community in Pittsburgh. This venture became the Capuchin Province of Saint Augustine and in 1991 the Province came to Philadelphia. The friars plan to celebrate this anniversary at Saint John’s on Sunday August 6 at the 12:30 Mass. Those served by Capuchins at Holy Redeemer and in Frankford will also be invited. A social will follow in the parish center.
Laudato Si Circle
“Laudato Si Week “is May 21 -- 28th: the theme this year is “Hope for the earth; Hope for Creation”. The annual Catholic celebration began in 2016 to encourage us to care of our common home, the earth. Each year Catholics from around the world unite and rejoice in the progress we have made in teaching the good news of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si and to commit to prayer and action for our common home. Please join our Laudato Si Circle this Sunday, May 14 following the 10:30 Mass, as they meet in prayer, reflection and action planning.
Historical Preservation Endowment Fund
$558,027.00
Details of today article is available here on our bulletin.