October, 2011

Dear member of St. Rene Goupil Parish…

Enclosed with this letter you will find a sheet that summarizes the financial revenues and expenses taken in and dispersed for St. Rene Goupil Parish over the past fiscal year

(7/01/10 – 6/30/11). You will also find a ‘brag sheet’ listing some of the examples of volunteer stewardship of time and talent and outreach that also has been a part of our parish life during that time. God has truly been present in this generosity of spirit and active in the good that continues to be done for others. As pastor I want to thank you for this sacrifice.

The gap that currently exists between our consistent but stagnant level of revenue and increasing expenses must be recognized and creatively addressed. Our parish currently carries a $90,000 debt with the Archdiocese. St. Rene has been selected to take part in the Annual Catholic Appeal Debt Reduction Initiative. What this means is that the Archdiocese will match all funds raised by our parish in this year’s Appeal and earmarked fundraising and apply them toward the elimination of this debt. Whatever you give will be doubled in its effect! This is a very good deal and will mean significant savings for us! Look for more information and opportunities to achieve this challenge as the year goes on.

To ensure the financial well being of our parish in the future, I am asking all who make up our parish to make a conscious budgeting choice regarding their ability to help support the good work that we want to continue happening at St. Rene. Our average weekly attendance is 700 people; those who attend and who have been blessed with the means to do so, I ask to increase their weekend giving commitment by $5 a Sunday. This slight increase, made on a regular committed basis, would help our parish be much better positioned for our future. If you attend on an irregular basis, remember our parish on those weeks that you are not present (perhaps exploring our simple and easy direct deposit ParishPay option).

I hope that your sense of belonging and supporting this parish of St. Rene remains of central importance for you and that you make the time each Sunday to pray with and for those others of our parish who pray for you.

I thank you for the goodness that has been given and received. May we all be grateful for our St. Rene Goupil parish and ask God to bless our future.

Father Tom Kasputis

Pastor

ST. RENE GOUPIL STEWARDSHIP REPORT 2011 (July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011)

“That we may remain faithful to the gift of God, to love Him and serve Him in the poor together with you. What we have done we should not have been able to do if you did not share with your prayers, with your gifts, this continual abundance giving. But I don’t want you to give me in abundance. I want that you give me until it hurts.”

Blessed Teresa, Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, December 11, 1979

Our Parish Population::

1272 households, 3496 individuals, 48 newly registered families

Average weekly Mass attendance 741 (Oct., 2010)

Sacramental Preparation Programs:

46 parents and godparents prepared for Baptism of child by Deacon Sal & Beth Lema

1 adult candidate prepared for Baptism and full entry into the Catholic Church by 3 members of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) team

44 second graders prepared for First Communion and Reconciliation by 4 catechists

Sacraments Celebrated:

531 Masses 38 Funerals 18 Baptisms 45 First Eucharists 13 Confirmations

45 First Reconciliations 5 Marriages 190 Anointings of the Sick

Education and Faith Formation Programs:

223 Students (Pre K - 8) taught by 15 teachers and 3 aides

90 CCD Students (grades K-8) taught by 11 volunteer catechists & aides

10 Students meet weekly for Children’s Liturgy of the Word led by 1 catechist & 2 aides

8 Friends assisted in SPRED by 8 helpers

20 Men and Women experienced Christ Renews His Parish on 2 weekend retreats

given by 11 team members

Liturgy Assistance:

20 Lectors

49 Altar Servers 20 Ushers 15 Choir Members

61 Eucharistic Ministers 31 Sacristans and Altar Cleaners

Parish Outreach:

441 Visits with Holy Communion to the home bound and 35 support visits to the grieving by 11 Ministers of Care

134 visits and 40 other contacts made by 7 members of St. Vincent de Paul Society helped 268 people with food, transportation, rent, medication and utilities assistance

540 food vouchers were supplied by St. V de P Society and distributed to homeless

4 involved with parish Peace & Justice Committee

338 children participated in sports (Football, Cheerleading, Baseball, T-ball, Basketball &

Volleyball) with 62 coaches

68 boys and girls were led by 18 leaders in Scouting programs

63 jr. high students involved in '6-7-8 Club' with 15 adult chapersone

4 Graden Committee members help beautify our grounds

Parish Administration and Councils:

Pastoral Council meets monthly with 7 members

School Board of Specified Jurisdiction and committees meet monthly with 12 members

Finance & Stewardship Committee serves with 3 members and meets quarterly

February 11 & 12, 2012

As individuals we are responsible not only for taking care of our own needs but as part of a Church community, we must also be mindful of the needs and welfare of the Church throughout the world, through the Archdiocese and within our own parish. This weekend, members of all parish communities within the Archdiocese will be asked by Francis Cardinal George to pledge and give to the Annual Catholic Appeal. For this year only, all the amounts pledged in the name of St. Rene parish will be matched and used to help pay off our existing debt with the Archdiocese. Take a look at the graph below. It indicates the level of response that our parish made for last year’s appeal. Our current records indicate that there are over 1200 registered families within the parish. If you have not pledged for the Catholic Appeal in the past, this is the year to really consider doing so. Please pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you remember how God has blessed you with your faith, and give generously as God has given to you.

2011 Annual Catholic Appeal through 1/19/2012

2011 Goal

$24,441.00

Amount Pledged $21,001.00

Amount Paid

$18,516.00

Balance Due $2,485.00

Fr. Tom