|
Hello everybody!
As we begin a new fiscal year, I wanted to take the opportunity to share some updates to where we are financially as a parish community and the direction we are heading. For the past two years we have been actively engaging with our financial challenges and budget shortfalls. The parish took on increased debt in order to repair the roof, in addition to carrying out much needed repairs and capital projects that were part of our “Beacon of Hope” capital campaign. Currently, we are paying $503,000 in debt service annually and our total debt balance is slightly over $5,000,000. Besides the added debt, budgeting failures occurred two years ago that caused additional stress to our financial position.
We corrected the budget issues for this past year and have been working to improve our situation in a variety of ways. We had gatherings at our rectory last summer to work with parishioners who generously offered one-time gifts in the amount of $270,380. While we have communicated those one-time gifts as part of our weekly stewardship report, without their support, we would be in dire financial straits. We introduced an increased offering program to the parish asking each member/family to consider either increasing their current contribution or consider giving if they are not currently doing so. As a result, we have received 469 increased offering pledge cards out of 1,480 active parishioners, or 32% participation. While the one-time gifts were extremely generous and helpful in getting us through this fiscal year and we appreciate those who have responded by increasing their offering, we continue to need greater stewardship participation in your gifts of treasure moving forward.
In an effort to balance our budget, many cuts to our ministry offerings have taken place over the past year. We eliminated music from our Sunday evening mass. We cut programming such as Vacation Bible School, the birthday initiative for youth ministry and hospitality after masses. Our ministry staff cut budgets that affect music, worship, arts and environment, faith formation for adults and children, pastoral care, youth ministry and professional development. Even with monies budgeted, great effort took place to be conservative. Monthly budget meetings with ministry staff have been ongoing to make sure budgets were followed. These actions led to cost savings of approximately $45,000 during FY 2024-2025.
Contracts with the various vendors that provide services at St. Patrick (cleaning, landscaping, information technology, etc.) were evaluated and re-negotiated with some services realizing significant reductions. These actions led to cost savings of approximately $35,000 during FY 2024-2025.
Our parish school has also been diligent in monitoring expenses and eliminating positions to reflect enrollment and balancing the budget. Additional title funding and the generosity of the PTO assisted in cutting expenses while maintaining high academic standards and a robust student experience of learning, formation, and participation. This included a savings of approximately $150,000 in 24-25 and an additional $170,000 for 25-26.
As we enter a new fiscal year on July 1, we continue to work with the Finance Council to approve the 2025-2026 budget. Their guidance has been to more aggressively address our expenses so as to adequately meet our cash flow needs in the coming year. Our staff has responded to that guidance by freezing or minimally increasing parish and school staff salaries for 25-26 and staff members are budget-conscious as they evaluate, plan and implement all programming at St. Patrick. In addition, the following staff positions have been eliminated or will not be replaced for the upcoming fiscal year:
- elimination of Facility Scheduler as full-time position (Lori Mehlbauer, who is taking a position with our Preschool)
- elimination of our part-time Assistant Worship Director position (Erin Wernert, who will become 7-8th grade religion teacher)
- hiring freeze for this year of our full-time Youth Ministry position (Jonna O’Bryan, who has taken a position with the Archdiocese)
- elimination of our Welcome Desk weekend staff position (Madison Monnin, who will have the responsibility for facility scheduling)
- elimination of 1 of 2 assistant principal positions (Zoie Meyer)
- elimination of one teaching position (4th Grade)
- not rehiring one instructional assistant
The anticipated cost savings in FY 2025-2026 related just to these staffing changes totals approximately $321,000. The parish component of cost savings is $168,000 and the school component of cost savings is $153,000. As already mentioned, other expenses in the budget have also been reduced.
These are difficult but necessary changes to ensure a stable financial future and the vibrancy of our ministry and mission. We work to be good stewards of parish resources. Please know that these changes are challenging for all involved. We have eliminated positions that have helped us to serve the parish community and programming that is dedicated to growing our community into one of greater discipleship.
If you have not yet completed an increased offering pledge to the parish, please prayerfully take this into consideration. In the months ahead, you will see increased invitations to assist, as well, in the areas of time and talent to keep our parish a welcoming beacon of Christ’s love. One such opportunity is listed below. Although difficult decisions have been made, we trust in God’s providence that the good work he has begun in us, he will also bring to completion. We remain steadfast in our mission to let Christ’s light shine through us.
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
| 
