This year, 2025, is a Jubilee Holy Year, the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation (Birth) of our Lord, an event of great spiritual significance in the life of the Church. Pope Francis has designated the 2025 Holy Year as a time to renew ourselves as "Pilgrims of Hope.” SS. Robert & William is conducting an Appeal of Hope. The goal of the appeal is to make a request to each parishioner to make a sacrificial gift in the year 2025 to our parish and/or school. The proceeds will be used to help solidify the ministry for years to come as we seek to offer Hope in a world that so desperately needs it.
Each parishioner’s gift will be made to God in appreciation of all the gifts God has bestowed on them and for the service of these ministries into the future. We are asking each family to consider making a $1,200 gift to support the parish and/or school. This would be $100/month. We are also hoping for a few people to step up in an extraordinary way and donate $10,000 or more. We know some people can add a zero and some may need to subtract a zero, but each donation makes a significant impact. Each of the donations will be recognized on the Jubilee of Hope Plaque that will be installed in the church as well as the school. This will be our Testament to Hope in Jesus. I recently went on Faith Direct, our online giving platform, and made my $1,200 pledge. I will be having $100/month come out of my checking account for the next 12 months (even when I am at my new parish!).
The parish is currently running a deficit and is in need of donations to help balance the budget and begin to build savings. This past year the festival came in under budget by $30,000 because of the chaos caused by the mobs of young people that showed up to cause disruption, our controls on our church HVAC went down, repair our computer server that serves the school and parish, our utilities and property insurance costs have risen almost 15% and we need a new heating system in the Early Learning Center. Recently, I have cut one full-time position in the parish and school, frozen wages, and am looking at additional cost savings to help lower the expenses significantly.
I am really appealing to each and every parishioner to step up and make this sacrificial gift because you believe in the parish and school. We have many reasons to give HOPE and recognize that all that we have is a gift from God and to be returned to God. Your gift will help assure that our parish and school have a strong, viable future and will continue to offer HOPE for us and generations to come!
The enclosed paper can be used to make your gift. Thank you so much for your incredible generosity!