Spirited Times - November 2007

Pastor’s Perspective

By FR. BILL TKACHUK, PASTOR

This issue of Spirited Times includes the Parish Annual Financial Report for the year that ended June 30, 2007.  Each year every pastor must report on the pastoral and financial status of the parish to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, to our local Vicar, Bishop George Rassas, and to the members of the parish he serves.  At Church of the Holy Spirit, I do this with the assistance of our Administrative Associate, Brother Tom Minta, and in consultation with the parish Finance Council.  On the weekend of October 13/14, members of the Finance Council presented this report in person after all of the Masses and answered parishioner questions.  I am grateful for their help and guidance.

The 2007 Annual Report for Church of the Holy Spirit holds many positive signs.  Total parishioner contributions increased by more than 3%.  This reflects the ongoing generosity of all who invest some of their financial resources to support the mission and ministries of the parish.  We also completed the first year of the 10x100 campaign to reduce our construction loan; we received over $200,000 in parishioner contributions.  Hours of parishioner time staffed our weekly food pantry, provided religious formation for our children and youth, offered English as a Second Language classes to immigrants in our area, brought spirit and beauty to our weekly liturgies, and gave us a great Country Fair that was also our most profitable ever.  And throughout the year, we baptized 785 infants and celebrated 343 First Communions, 132 Confirmations, and 63 Marriages.

Of course the 2007 Annual Report also reveals some challenges.  We continue to look for ways to attract those of all ages who do not worship with us on a regular basis, especially our young families and young adults.  Parishioner Sunday contributions approached the weekly budget figure for last year; however, monthly payments to eliminate an operating loan from the previous fiscal year made it necessary for us to reduce the office support staff in order to avoid a major deficit.  In order to meet our obligations in the fiscal year that began on July 1, including interest payments and several necessary repair projects, we must increase our regular income even further.  Those who regularly contribute to the parish remain extremely generous.  We are challenged to inspire the support of those who do not yet share of their time, talent, and treasure.  Also, as the percentage of Spanish-speaking adults who worship with us continues to increase; we continue to be challenged to strengthen our unity and embrace our diversity – to find new ways to communicate and connect with one another that do not depend on a common spoken language.  The largely English-speaking children and youth of our Hispanic families will play a significant role in the future American Church; we will rely on them for leadership, vocations, and involvement.  God has given us a mission to shape the Church of the future through welcoming our newest members who, like others before them, come to this nation seeking a place to worship and to support their families.

This year also marks the beginning of a significant transition in the life of our parish.  My second term as pastor will end on June 30, 2009.  One year from now representatives of the Archdiocese will ask you to reflect upon the qualities you seek in the priest who will serve as the third pastor of Church of the Holy Spirit.  Potential pastors will begin to “check us out.”  This parish is a rich treasure that has blessed me and that will bless whoever is sent to serve among you.  May we prepare well to celebrate what has been and to open to the wonders that the Spirit yet has in store for us.

The end of the Church year coincides with a national Day of Thanksgiving.  It is important for us to remember and to give thanks for the ways in which God has blessed us and walked with us during the past year.  Then the season of Advent begins a new Church year.  Advent invites us to remember God’s dreams for us and to open our hearts to Christ as he comes to us through those like Mary and Joseph in our day – the poor, the homeless, the oppressed, and the immigrant.  God continues to desire to be known among us and to transform us by God’s presence.