A Message from the st. rose of Lima Parish finance council

August 4, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ,
 
Your Finance Council would like to provide a mid-year update.
 
In June 2019 we reported that the following items were completed:

•  The new sound and video systems for the Church and the hall
•  The removal of the “popcorn” ceiling on the perimeter of the Church including retexturing and painting and improved lighting in darker areas of the Church
•  Extensive repair of water and gas lines running into and around the buildings

•  Repair of the water damage on the area above the altar
•  Repainting the Church interior
•  Security concerns including new security cameras for the Church and the School
•  Construction of the new rectory in the Parish house (more information about this below)

 
Then March 2020 came; the pandemic started and crisis happened. The result?  Weekly donations collections have significantly declined about 33%.  St. Rose qualified for a Paycheck Protection Program loan to temporarily bridge our budget gap.  We project those funds will be exhausted in the coming weeks.  For that reason, we continue exploring ways to reduce day-to-day operating costs through attrition, salary adjustments, furloughs, and cutting or reducing expenses while continuing to provide the vital services that are at the heart of our Parish mission.  Your continued financial support through Faith Direct or weekly contribution envelopes is greatly appreciated, and helps the Parish bring faith alive.
 
We are also continuing to take steps to improve the Parish facilities.  These steps are being done slowly and only as we have non-operating funds available.  Your regular contributions to the Building Fund and periodic large donations from parishioners make this possible. 
 
Several years ago, St. Rose purchased the home across the driveway from the office.  It was purchased with the intent to convert it into a rectory. The necessary funds to support this reconstruction will be provided from Donor Restricted Funds the Parish holds. These funds are dedicated and earmarked for major Parish investments and do not involve regular Parish operating funds.  Planning, bids and permitting for the Rectory project were substantially completed prior to the pandemic’s start.  Due to the increasing cost of materials and labor, it is more cost efficient to pursue the reconstruction of the rectory than delay further. Hence, it has finally begun this July and we are hoping to have it completed in the next few months.  This will result in both:
1. an updated residence for our priests and
2. an opportunity to create more functional and efficient office space in the existing rectory building.
 
Finally, the Finance and Pastoral Councils began the process of developing a Facilities Master Plan prior to the start of the pandemic.  The planning will be restarted soon with the intent to use the process to determine the critical needs we have and prioritize accordingly.  There will be significant outreach to solicit input from all Parish ministries and individual parishioners as part of the process.  We hope the Master Plan will provide a process and guidelines for the improvement and development of facilities that will last for generations to come.  Thank you for your continued support of St. Rose of Lima!
 
Sincerely in Christ,
St. Rose of Lima Finance Council