Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

On April 22, 2021, the Parish Finance Council (PFC), members of the Diocesan Finance Office, and I convened via teleconference to review the current financial status of St. Joseph’s Parish, especially as it relates to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Despite the statistics showing the understandable diminished attendance at weekend Masses, and the fact that we’ve had to utilize $55K of parish savings, your customary and long-term generosity has helped us to meet operating expenses of the parish during this trying term.

WEEKEND MASS ATTENDANCE REPORT

2019 – 15,626 attendees

2020 – 5,786 attendees (no Masses in March, April, May, June, July)

2021 – 2,359 attendees (YTD January, February, March, April)

FINANCIAL REVIEW REPORT

Current Assets as of 4/15/2021

Parish Operating Account       $  8,818
Parish Capital Campaign Savings $ 13,508 
Central Fund – Savings $ 92,156

(.5% Interest)
Central Fund – 12 mo CD $ 51,487*

(1.25% Interest)
Central Fund – 24 mo CD $ 52,094* 

(1.50% Interest)
Central Fund – Pooled Invest. $ 85,612*

(Annual 4% return)

*Transferred from Capital Campaign savings to higher-yield investments.

As an additional note, please be aware that the Capital Campaign, initiated in September 2017, will expire on July 31, 2021.  If you are in a position at this time to honor your pledges, please do so by that date.  Thank you!

Members of the PFC have recommended the following:  1) that the parish increase awareness of the weekend Mass schedule among visitors to the Lincoln area, 2) that the parish plan fundraising events to recoup financial losses, and 3) that the passing of collection baskets at weekend liturgies be restored.  I am thankful to the members of the PFC for their dedication to St. Joseph’s, and express my gratitude in a special way to Steven Babin for his willingness to organize, schedule, and train a new staff of Collectors, and important ministry in the parish community. 

Finally, it is with prayerful gratitude that I thank each of you for your faithful spiritual witness and financial support to the Church and to the charitable endeavors of St. Joseph’s Parish.

With prayerful best wishes,

Fr. John Mahoney    

It is because of the Risen Lord that we have hope.  It is because of the resurrection on Easter morning that we can celebrate a loved one’s life and not just mourn their death.  Nonetheless, our grief is real, and our loss is genuine.  Our sorrow is heartfelt.  And yet, in the midst of that loss is the promise of Christ: “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.  I go to prepare a place for you … I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am there you also may be.”  Let us remember that because of Christ, our story does not end with death and loss but instead with eternal life and bright promise.  We give thanks for the gift of life among these members of the St. Joseph’s parish community who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith in the Risen Lord:

  Nora Shamberger, Funeral Mass, 10:00 A.M., Saturday, May 22, 2021.
St. Joseph’s Church,
Mathias “Marty” Tarnok, Rite of Committal,, Saturday, May 22, 2021.
Riverside Cemetery
Thomas “Tom” Sheehan, Funeral Mass, 10:00 A.M., Saturday, May 29, 2021,
St.Joseph’s Church, followed by the Rite of Committal, Riverside Cemetery.
Janet Horton, Rite of Committal, Saturday, June 5, 2021.
Woodstock Cemetery,
Joann Sincavage, Rite of Committal, Saturday, July 3, 2021.
Woodstock Cemetery,

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Fr. John Mahoney