The last few weeks can best be described as bizarre. There has been much uncertainty surrounding the response to this grave illness by our government officials, community leaders and business owners, and the leadership in the Church. For a while, things changed almost literally minute-by-minute. We went from “social distancing” and hygiene reminders to shelter-in-place and cancellation of public events in a matter of days.
Now that we’ve seemed to get to a new status quo, where we’re basically told to stay home unless there is an essential reason to go out, hopefully we’re getting more comfortable. For some of us, being locked in our houses might lead to a sense of cabin fever. We definitely need to pray for each other during this time, especially those directly affected by this virus.
One concern I think many of us have is how our local area will weather this situation. Businesses are shut down, or limited in their hours or services. People are being furloughed temporarily, leading to a loss of income. No one is sure how long this shelter-in-place order will remain, so we’re not sure how much financial damage this will do to us and our neighbors.
For me as a pastor, my primary concern is the spiritual well-being of all parishioners, but I am also ultimately responsible for the care of the parish’s temporal goods, such as buildings, finances, and more. This shut down obviously has me concerned, but it seems I’m not the only one. Over the past week, we’ve received notes here at the parish asking about or commenting on the financial situation of the parish.
I had planned about this time, the month of April, to publish a report on the financial situation of the parishes. This is something I’ve meant to do for some time, and have been very lax in doing so. Unfortunately the uncertainty of the past few weeks has pushed back that report indefinitely, but in the meantime, I’d like to address some of the parishioners’ concerns by looking at certain items in the parish budget. We’ll use the last 9 months, as it will cover ¾ of the diocesan and parish fiscal year.
Income – The most important income to any parish is the weekly offering during Mass. That is arguably the most direct way that parishes receive income from the parishioners. For many parishes, St. Mary’s and missions included, it is the largest line-item in the parish budget for income.
During an average week’s collection, St. Mary’s received $1,555, Sacred Heart received $284, and St. Francis received $192. Of course, these numbers include special and larger-than-average collections like Christmas. Monthly online giving remained fairly steady, currently sitting at $280 (up from $225 in February!) for St. Francis and $445 for St. Mary’s.
In the three weeks since the last public Masses on March 15th, collections mailed in or dropped off at the church totaled $1,223 for St. Mary’s and $215 for Sacred Heart. I am very grateful for those parishioners who have continued to generously support the parish through this time of worry and concern!
The parishes have other forms of income, such as Mass stipends and annual returns off our endowments at the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Montana. Those will be discussed more fully in the later report.
Expense – Even though the parishes are no longer hosting public events, such as public Mass, the bills still have to be paid. Utility bills and more continue to come in despite the shelter-in-place orders.
In an average month, St. Mary’s incurs $416 in electricity, $460 in natural gas, and another $460 in city utilities, as well as $300 in phone and internet services. Sacred Heart averaged $65 in electricity, $147 in propane, and $55 in city utilities. St. Francis’ monthly average for electricity was $30, and $171 In natural gas and city utilities.
There are a number of other expenses that will be in the larger report, but one major expense that St. Mary’s incurs that neither St. Francis nor Sacred Heart have is salary and benefits for employees. Just the basic living and salary expenses for a priest, not counting those covered above in utilities, averages out to about $3500 per month. This is pretty much set by the diocese. In addition, we have two lay staff members who receive a fair salary, but little other benefits from the parish.
Conclusion – All these numbers give a general idea where the money comes from that runs the parishes, as well as where that money goes. More detail will come in the larger report later, but you can probably do the math and see that very little, if any, is left over each month from the collection income. We’re able to keep the parishes running, but have little room for surprises, like suspending public Masses for a month or more.
I do want to close by asking all of you to remember the parish as you consider your financial situation during this time. I know some of you may find yourselves currently in a difficult situation financially, and can’t contribute as you have in the past. For those who can continue to give generosity, please consider giving a larger donation to help cover any shortfalls in addition to your regular weekly or monthly contributions. Although we’re not passing the basket at Mass, you can drop off your donations in the baskets at each door of St. Mary’s Church, mail it to us at Box 70, Malta, MT 59538. Also, don’t forget about Online Giving, where you can set up a regular monthly donation and never worry about forgetting an envelope or writing a check! Go to the website at SaintMarysMalta.org and click the green Online Giving button on the top right.
Finally, I want to use this opportunity to thank those who have been so generous to the parishes over the past 9 months and years before that. These parishes continue to exist due to your generosity! May they have many years serving our communities, and may we all look forward to the first public Mass after the restrictions are lifted. God bless you all!
