Holy_Cross_Stewardship08

PARISH OF THE HOLY CROSS

At this time of the year we usually ask parishioners to renew their stewardship of treasure to the
Parish and make a commitment for the following year about their contributions to the Parish. If
possible, we ask parishioners to take a step in faith by increasing their contribution.

In order to accomplish this, there are three steps in the process of renewing one’s stewardship of
treasure. First, we have parishioners give a witness talk at the Masses on Sunday concerning
their faith commitment to give back to God a portion of what they have received.
Second, the parish provides accountability by publishing the financial and spiritual statement of
the Parish. And third, you, our parishioners, are asked to make a commitment for the following
year.

In light of the extraordinary circumstances in which we are living with so much uncertainty about
the future of the economy, we are revising this stewardship appeal and suspending the witness
talk about the stewardship of treasure and the financial recommitment Sunday this year. Instead,
as your Pastor and in the name of the Pastoral Team, I wish to acknowledge that we are in
uncertain times and we are in them together.

During this economic downturn, the Parish will face the same uncertainty and vulnerability that
you are facing. We, like you, have bills to pay and we will do our best to keep our expenses at a
minimum. I would like to speak about this on a personal level. Along with you, I try to live the
stewardship of time, talent, and treasure in my own life. I am immensely grateful to God for the
blessings I have received, especially the gift of priesthood and the opportunity to be your Pastor
for another six years. As you know, I live alone in the Parish house. I do my own food shopping
and cooking to keep expenses down. You will find this reflected in the financial statement. (My
highest grocery bill is for the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies!) Each year the Diocese
approves a salary increase for priests. In light of these economic times and in living responsible
stewardship, I will not take the salary increase this year.

As a Parish staff, we are working carefully to keep our expenses down as stewards of your
contributions by conserving energy, negotiating sound contracts for necessary services, cutting
unnecessary expenditures, and looking for volunteer services when appropriate.
We publish our financial statements each month and will continue to keep you informed about our
financial position. We will publish the yearly statement next week. Instead of asking you to make a
financial recommitment on the third weekend of stewardship, we ask you for a commitment in
prayer for all who are hurting in these economic times. We know that you will do your best to
contribute to the Parish. Let us join together in caring for one another through our Outreach
Program and other efforts that have always marked the goodness and generosity of our Parish.
Some people are experiencing emotional and psychological stress due to the economy. Recently
we heard St. Paul tell the people of Philippi that he had known times of abundance and times of
need. In either case Paul put his faith in Christ Jesus: “I can do all things in him who strengthens
me.” Let us support one another in prayer especially in our presence at Sunday Mass and let us
all put our faith and trust in God who will be with us in good times and in bad.

May the Lord give you peace.

Fr. Jim and the Pastoral Team

THE STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE