Annual Collection
St Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish 2020 Annual Collection
September 23, 2020
Dear Parishioners
The last six months have presented unique and unprecedented challenges for our families, nation and parish community, in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. None of us were prepared for the swift and dramatic change the nationwide lockdown would bring, as well as the hardships it would place on everyday life and our ability to practice the faith. However, God is always with us, and by His grace we have been able to continue celebrating mass both virtually and in small gatherings, adhering to all of the required precautions. We have reached a point where churches have been allowed to re-open, with various stipulations. Despite this, many of our parishioners will remain at home, as they may have underlying conditions or are at the age where contracting COVID-19 would be a serious health concern. As a parish, we promise to continue ministering to all of our parishioner's spiritual needs. This is a time where we must come together and share our love of the Lord with all of His people.
I want to thank you for continuing to share your time, talent and resources over the past year. This support enables St. Elizabeth of the Trinity to serve God's people with necessary programs and ministries that so many have come to experience and enjoy. As you realize, these programs and ministries require increased financial support each year, and COVID-19 has placed a serious strain on our weekly offertory collection. The reality is fixed costs do not stop and our buildings and grounds require constant upkeep, so when coupled with recent declines in offertory giving, we have become reliant on savings to pay bills and balance the budget. The Annual Collection gives our parish financial extra support that allows us to keep on budget.
In the past year, we have been able to accomplish many improvements to all the parishes at all buildings and grounds to maintain all systems to be fully operational. We made renovations to all exterior electrical lighting at St. Barnabas. Recently we had to clear up the damage to St. Therese grounds due to the tornado that struct this area. We added all new gutters at St. Frances Cabrini and renovated the vestibule roof, and we have also upgraded St. Therese Church Hall to temporarily house our weekly Bingo, which hopefully can start up soon. During this next calendar year, we plan to renovate St. Barnabas Church Hall to be handicap accessible with new bathrooms so we can house the church weekly Bingo in the future and also make the Hall accessible for many other church functions and events.
Last year, $79,011 was generously donated by 661 parish families. The average contribution was $120! I was so grateful for this response. I cannot thank those who participated enough! Our goal this year has been established at $100,000. We have taken into consideration COVID-19 and the strain it has placed on household finances in deciding on this goal.
Please prayerfully consider making a generous gift. This financial support will make it possible for us to pay our fixed cost bills and emergency repairs. Your continued participation is so very vital! Please use the enclosed personalized gift card and reply envelope, which can be returned via the collection basket or mailed to the parish office. If you would prefer to make your contributions electronically, Please enroll in our online giving program by clicking here or on the We-share picture, on the front page.
It is my privilege to serve you and the many other warm and generous parishioners of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. The continuous acts of kindness, compassion and mercy that I witness each day as your Pastor continue to inspire me in my own faith.
Sincerely yours in Christ, Rev. Michael Santiago