On February 10-11, we had our monthly second collection for Saint John’s debt reduction. The collection was $626. However, our debt is $646,036. This is a substantial reduction from the original debt. In fiscal year 2021-22 we paid $100,000; in fiscal year 2022-23 we paid $50,000. Every year we make a significant dent in our debt. The Archdiocese puts no pressure on us to pay this loan because our precarious financial status is known and understood. Moreover, the Archdiocese charges us no interest on our loan and this is a significant subsidy to Saint John Church. But we do have to pay this loan. We accrued the loan when we repaired the church towers more than 10 years ago and there were years many years ago when we did not pay our insurance and other bills to the Archdiocese.

A few years ago, Saint John’s began the Historic Preservation Fund to create a corpus of money to manage the repairs needed to keep our beautiful church in good repair. The balance of this fund is $552,438. Even though we have done tens of thousands of dollars of repairs that are within the purpose of the fund, we have used each year’s ordinary donations to pay for these repairs. We have not yet withdrawn any money from this Fund. This Historic Preservation Fund money is invested with the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia. We occasionally get a donation for this Fund, but most of the increase in value over the past few years has been from the increase in value of our investment.

As to our current financial situation, we break even each year, but just barely. Our church manages because of our generous benefactors and because of the 70 or so weddings that are held in our beautiful church each year. In this bulletin column a few weeks ago I informed you of our major capital need to repair or replace the patio deck behind the church and the air conditioning and electrical systems that are under the patio. This is going to be an expensive project, in the one million dollars’ neighborhood. You will hear more about this when we get more precise information.

In the meantime, please continue to be as generous as you can to our regular collections and consider making a special donation to reduce our debt or to build up our Historical Preservation Fund. Almsgiving is intrinsic to Lent. Consider making a sacrificial Lenten donation to Saint John Church. Our church and its ministries are a blessing to Center City Philadelphia. We need your support and God will bless your sacrifice.

Remember Saint John Church in your will

People from all over the Philadelphia region and beyond tell me how much they appreciate Saint John Church. I hear from people who in years past visited the church for Mass, confessions or prayer during breaks from work or on shopping visits to Center City. Saint John’s is still a haven of peace and faith. Please consider naming Saint John the Evangelist Church as a beneficiary of your last will and testament. You can assure that some of the wealth that you worked to save during your life will help to keep Saint John Church open and vibrant for future generations.

Saint John Lenten Retreat

If you’re looking for something to do for Lent, attend our second annual parish retreat on Sunday February 25th following the 10:30 Mass in the parish center. The program will include viewing segments of the classic 1977 movie “Jesus of Nazareth” followed by reflections by members of our Secular Franciscan fraternity. Participants can listen in silence or offer their own thoughts. It will be an afternoon of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. A meager lunch will be offered and all donations will be given to St. John’s Hospice for the feeding of our homeless brothers and sisters.

Thank you

February is a busy month at Saint John’s First, we had Ash Wednesday, the day on which the most people visit our church in a year. Thousands of people came for ashes. Our four Masses were full and we had Liturgy of the Word services with ashes every 15 minutes from 7 AM until 6 PM in the lower church. Second, on February 17, we had our annual Mass to pray for the four firefighters who lost their lives in 1899 defending Saint John Church from a catastrophic fire and for all firefighters. A small army of dedicated Saint John’s volunteers and our staff stepped up to make Ash Wednesday and the Firefighters Mass prayerful and uplifting. I love Saint John’s and I love our volunteers and staff. God bless you!

Catholic Charities Collection

Each year the Archdiocese holds an important campaign to raise funds for its charitable and pastoral work. Above, I asked you to be generous to Saint John Church. However, our generosity ought to go beyond our church to the Catholic Church’s broader work with the poor and needy. At all Masses on the weekend of February 24-25, Marion D’Ambrosia of Saint John Hospice will speak at all of our Masses. Marion is a long time parishioner of Saint John’s and we know her as Tootsie. She has provided music for our Masses over many years. We will take a second collection after her talk. Please be generous, not only to the collection. Please take home an envelope and send a generous donation to Catholic Charities.