In the entry areas of our two churches, near where you pick up your bulletin, there’s also another pile of papers—the 2022-2023 budget.

I encourage you to take a good look at our financial projection. There’s good news and there’s challenges in those lines and numbers. The best news in these budgets is those lines and numbers have a context. They tell the story of how faith communities work and sacrifice for the sake of the gospel. They become a springboard for planning with our Pastoral and Finance Councils. Because the issues contained in our parish budgets aren’t really terribly different from parish budgets in other parishes, the Diocese has proposed ways to support efforts to grow stewardship in all our parishes.

So, thank you for your generous gifts and sacrifices. Continue to be concerned about your parishes’ life—financial, social and spiritual. Be ready to help us all build a future where we can confidently proclaim the gospel to our communities.