2021 Annual Report

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”
(Mark 8:35)

       Twenty years ago this weekend, our Churches were filled with tearful people asking “why?” In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, stories emerged of selfless individuals risking their lives to save others. Since March of 2020, we have been enduring another scourge – the dreaded virus. My purpose in speaking with you today is two-fold: (1) to thank you for your witness of faith; and (2) to give you an update on the general health of the parish.

       The financial report that you will receive after Mass and online after today will illustrate that generous contributions have enabled us to make ends meet during the difficult days of the pandemic. In fact, online giving increased tremendously! In a difficult year, both the parish and the school ended on a positive note. The Smyth Endowment Fund was able to give the school $347,000 for scholarships and teacher enrichment!

       Were it not for the patience and persistence of Chris Kelly and our school faculty, our students and their families would not have had the educational opportunities that have made our school the envy of many.  We began school two weeks ago with an enrollment of over 500 students.

       As many know, the pandemic hit our parish staff in a hard way. Our dedicated Business Manager, John Navolio, was hospitalized with COVID in January and returned home only in July. Sadly, he lost his father to the virus. He continues to recuperate at home and is profoundly grateful for your many prayers. I believe the Lord has spared him for a special, more spiritual purpose. John had a hand in almost every aspect of ministry in the parish and in the school.  In order to continue that good work, I have had to spread the tasks between two others: Carol Housman, our accountant, and Joan Ward, our office manager. In the coming weeks, I will hire a person to take over the secretarial and receptionist duties that Joan performed so well for many years. I will also be hiring a part-time assistant for Carol to handle the “accounts payable” portion of her work.

      We have been blessed with a faith-filled Director of Religious Education for Children, Jane Baily, for the past three years. She and her husband have discerned that they need to be closer to family in Ohio. I am in the process of forming a search committee to look for a successor for Jane and am already receiving applications for the position. Jane will be with us until November 1.

      I have relied heavily on the guidance of volunteers from our Facilities Commission regarding major projects on the parish plant. Evidence of their help is the new walkway outside the Church. We will soon make major repairs to the roof of the parish center and hope to remedy the damaged pews. In the not too distant future a major campaign will be needed to update the Church prior to its 100th anniversary. I hope to convene a group in the near future to assess the needs of the Church building and the rectory.

      I want to thank our Social Concerns Minister, Pat Kavanaugh, for coordinating our outreach to the poor. Although Pat’s health has been compromised of late, the various programs under the umbrella of “outreach” have continued.  If we embrace the fullness of the Eucharistic mystery, our love for the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament must bear fruit in the “works” we do for others. I could go on and on and speak in more detail about the good work of the rest of our staff and our many volunteers; but I hope this brief summary provides a glimpse into the vibrant parish you so generously support!

     As I mentioned earlier, the financial summary for the fiscal year that ended June 30 will be available after Mass and online. Thank you and God bless you!

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Bill Foley