Immaculate Heart of Mary
The feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary takes place on the day following the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This devotion honors Mary’s perfect purity of heart in virtue of her Immaculate Conception, and the perfect union of her heart—on fire with love for God and her spiritual children—with the heart of her Son, Jesus. In two passages in the Gospel of Luke we have reference to Mary treasuring and pondering in her heart the sacred events of Jesus’ life, which became the foundation of the pious devotion to the Heart of Mary in the Church. In 1944, after consecrating the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pope Pius XII extended this feast to the universal Church. Taken from the Catholic Company.
I must take a few moments at this time of year to make a request. Many people do not realize that our fiscal year end comes up June 30th and we start the new year on July 1. Each church must prepare a budget, an estimate, of what we expect to spend for the next year. Even though it is an estimate, it is an earnest attempt to prudently use the donations and gifts given to the Church. After last year, with so many challenges, we can admit this is no simple task. Last year we estimated a 25% shortfall. All the churches in our cluster did better than that and we thank you for your generosity. Last year was also a year where many generous people came forward to make substantial gifts that were much needed and appreciated. When we prepare a budget, we have no idea who might make these gifts or how much. For budgeting purposes, we look at these gifts as true gifts and we do not attempt to guess what might be gifted us this year.
What we plan for is what each family will offer as a donation. We also must plan how expenses will increase. As you have noticed the cost of many items is on the rise. If we do not increase the support received by the church, we will not be able to meet the increase of expenses. I am asking if everyone would consider a cost-of-living increase in your donation to the church. A traditional cost-of-living increase is 3%. Would you consider a 3% increase with your donation? Here is a table to help.
If your weekly donation is:
$10.00 consider an increase to $10.30
$20.00 $20.60
$30.00 $20.90
And so on. Or, as many other businesses do, round the amount up to the next full dollar. We bring this up at this time as many families have opted to sign up on the automatic withdrawal donation plan. This has been extremely helpful. But out of sight, out of mind. It is easy to forget why you are contributing. Please evaluate what your current amount being withdrawn is and make a cost-of-living increase as well.
Your donation is always a prayerful consideration between you and God. May the Lord continue to bless you and our four churches of our cluster.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen