JANUARY 8, 2006

"Show me the money!" Cinema buffs will remember this popular cliche from the movie "Jerry McGuire".It was meant to be an exuberant expression of greed, but it has come to have many meanings as time has gone on. After three weeks here as Pastor at St. John of God, I had been fortunate to have a proper priestly introduction to my new parish in that I was able to celebrate the Christmas season and meet my new flock in the liturgical and social settings. But by January 2, it was time for the good stuff to recede, and I had to ask "Show me the money!" This was in the form of convening a Finance Committee meeting, in order to review the finances of the parish. For research: I had the parish summary provided by the diocese for the past ten years; the current year-to-date computer printout updated to November 30; and the report of the fiancial task force from 2002. Armed with this data, I went to the meeting to give my philospophy of administration and my initial impression of the status of the parish. There are five members of the finance committee, all of whom were present, as well as the parish business manager and the parochial vicar ex officio. What I was very pleased to see was more than two dozen parishioners at large who took advantage of the open invitation to attend the meeting to see what was transpiring. I began the meeting, as is fitting we begin all things, with prayer. I then gave a short summary of my pastoral experience by way of resume and trying to establish my "credentials" for stewardship. I outlined my general philosophy as a pastor and administrator, which can be summed up as follows: 1. The purpose for the existence of a parish is to ensure (a) that the Gospel is preached; (b) that the sacraments are administered; (c) that the spiritual and corporal works of mercy are carried out through the various parish programs and ministries. Any administrative and financial decisions that advance those goals are good; any that impede them are counterproductive. 2. If we do the right thing the right way, and it is the will of God, He will prosper the work of our hands. If we are not prospering, then we need to rethink the first three elements of the syllogism. 3. All decisions to be made must first and foremost be the right decisions pastorally. Business considerations take a back seat. In other words, good ministry makes for good business, not necessarily vice versa. In terms of our current financial situation, that summary is easy to give: we are bankrupt! Our total indebtedness, including unpaid bills, borrowing, and unpaid parish share and insurance, is currently $880,000. Last year alone, we ran a $303,000 deficit. We go further in the hole to the tune of $25,000 per month, and as of the first third of this financial year we are already $130,000 behind budget. As well, there are some absolutely necessary high ticket expenditures that need to be done as soon as possible: handicap ramp and bathrooms and sound system for St. Mary plant; heating and air conditioning and roofing work for Mother of Sorrows buildings; a working telephone and communications system for the total parish.I did not address the school or cemetery finances at this time, but at some point I will get around to them. In short, our parish is NOT the land flowing with milk and honey. But, as the angel said to Mary and Jesus said to His apostles: "Be not afraid." The first step in solving any problem is to admit and define it. Having done this so far, much will follow towards dealing with these issues in the future. Stay tuned.