In this bulletin is our annual Financial Report along with a letter I wrote to summarize our financial situation. I hope you take a couple of minutes to read it and to look at the financial report itself, but here's a quick summary of the summary: Expenses will always go up but gratefully we are able to keep up because of your contributions and willingness to participate in various fundraisers throughout the year. There is a lot of work needed to keep our buildings and grounds in good shape & we keep making improvements on both each year. More details are in the letter. Soon I will be speaking about the ability you will have to make automatic electronic contributions. It will be an option so you can still use envelopes if you choose, but choice is always good. Thanks again to the Finance Council & to all of you for your good stewardship here at St. Leo's.
My fellow priests and I enjoyed the time we could spend with each other last week. A Franciscan priest gave some great talks, we were given more information concerning the future personnel issues we will face as a Diocese, and we were able to feel the support of one another in our shared ministry of priesthood. As preachers, it's good to listen to a fellow priest share his stories of faith so that we can return to do the same in our parishes. Thanks for your prayers while we were away.
On Sunday mornings, those of us who have been meeting in the Parish Center spend a few minutes discussing the scripture readings from Mass, and at the same time, learn more about our Catholic Faith. Everyone is welcome to join us at 9am. We usually conclude a few minutes before 10am for those who want to attend Mass afterward.
Our parish archivist, John Sabol, found a flyer from our festival in 1959! The big meal on Friday night? A Fish Fry! The price? $1.25 for adults & $0.75 for children under 12. I could have bought 10 meals back then for the price of one today. The Entertainment for Saturday night? Tommy Carson of WJW's "Police Beat." Never heard of him. Extra attractions? The sale of dolls! The flyer said that the women of the parish who dressed up the dolls in costume gowns would rival those of the women in the Paris fashions. How many of our female parishioners make clothing for dolls today? But here is something I would have liked to win: "A beautiful Two-Toned Blue 1959 Buick LeSabre 4 Door Sudan." Cost of the tickets? $0.25 or 5 for $1.00. I wish we had a 1959 Buick LeSabre to raffle off today but all we have is a $5000.00 prize. I'd still take that. Someone told me that Fr. Lux, our first Pastor, got complaints when his ticket was chosen & he won the new car! His response? "I put my dollar in like everyone else!" So now I have my answer when I win the $5000.