March 7, 2010
Third Sunday of Lent
Dear Parishioners,
The parable of the fig tree at the end of today's gospel
evidently encourages the virtue of patience. The orchard
owner wants to cut the fig tree down and eliminate the
barren tree from his property because it has produced no
fruit in three years. It is the gardener who wants to save
the tree. It is the gardener who works with the tree who
wants to keep it. The gardener still believes in the tree
and its fruit-bearing possibility. The orchard owner may
own the tree, but the gardener better knows and loves the
tree. As we often hear from St. Paul's letter to the
Corinthians, love is patient.
Patience is a lenten virtue. Often we begin Lent with the
best of intentions and by this third week of Lent, we
realize we may have faltered a bit and not lived our lenten
resolutions perfectly. Today's parable is just for us. Our
faltering ought not lead us to give up. We may well have
succeeded most of the time with our lenten promises, but
our weak moments may make us feel we have failed. It's
in times like these we need to look to the gardener, the
one who knows us and loves and will continue to work
with us so that our lenten practices may bear fruit. Obviously,
Jesus is the gardener. Allowing him to work with
us so that our lenten practices may bear fruit can still
make this our best Lent ever.
DIOCESAN RESTRUCTURING
You have probably heard and read about efforts in the
diocese to work things differently because so many
parishes are now operating at a financial deficit. Reports
indicate 100 out of 133 parishes are recording a financial
loss. We are one of those parishes. Our Business
Manager is preparing a detailed report of our finances
which I hope to have for you around Easter. We are not
in crisis. We have succeeded these past three months in
operating with a balanced budget. Our deficit over the
past eighteen months is very much due to the many
improvements we have made in our buildings. Our buildings
(church, school, convent, rectory, outreach) are all in
good shape. This is due to the past generosity and continued
generosity of our parishioners. In addition to building
improvements, our salary and benefits expenses take up a
large percentage of our income. We are looking at all of
our expenses and we have successfully trimmed them
these past three months and will continue to trim. I am
confident that for the 2010-2011 fiscal year, we will
return to a balanced budget as we had for all years from
2000 - 2007.
Bishop Murphy has instituted a three point directive to
help all parishes achieve fiscal health. Every parish is
required to:
1. Prepare and submit a balanced budget.
2. Submit monthly reports of income and expenses.
3. Pay insurance and pension benefits on a timely basis.
I can report that Holy Name of Mary is in full compliance
with each of these directives. Our goal and our work is to
keep within our budget. All parish and school staff and
employees have been directed to keep expenditures
reserved for essential purchases. We have a history of
good stewardship and we will continue to be good
stewards and financial managers.
You may have heard of the Voluntary Separation
Program offered to diocesan and parish employees based
on age and years worked. About fifteen of our parish and
school employees have been offered this option which
allows for several months salary given to the person who
chooses to leave his/her job, the amount based on years
served, and an extension of medical benefits for a period
of time. Employees offered this option have until March
22 to decide.
This brief report summarizes where we are in what has
been called "diocesan restructuring." Most significant for
our parish is that we are successfully working toward a
balanced budget and our staff and employees continue to
minister, serve, and work responsibly, as they have for
many years.
BLOOD DRIVE
Our Blood Drive, organized by Parish Outreach, is set for
this Tuesday afternoon and evening. The weather of this
winter has caused a severe shortage of blood supply.
Consider giving blood as one of your lenten sacrifices.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION WEEK
Next Sunday at the 10:30 mass we will celebrate the
religious education ministry of our parish. We have more
than 700 students and 80 catechists in our program.
Under the direction of Sr. Emily and her two office staff
helpers, Mrs. Breen and Mrs. Mullins, our program is
entirely staffed by volunteers, some who have been
involved for 20 years. I am very grateful to them. Last
Tuesday, I was speaking to a group of students and
parents who are thrilled with their catechist and are
deeply grateful. I was so encouraged by this enthusiastic
expression of those involved in religious education.
Parents spoke of how this catechist truly loves their
children. This is what teaching and catechists and parish
is about - learning about Jesus and the Church and
loving one another at the same time.
Religious education is preparing for its busiest time of the
year - the First Communion Season !!! Many thanks to
Sr. Emily and all who participate in this important
ministry.
Sincerely in Christ,
Msgr. Tom
Msgr. Tom
Monsignor Thomas J. Harold
Pastor
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