Sacred Heart Youth & Young Adults

YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAM RESTRUCTURING

As you may know, Sacred Heart Parish is facing very difficult economic times. In order to be accountable to our budget, we had to realign our Ministry Staff. After much discernment and prayer, it was decided to eliminate the Youth Minister Position.

The Youth Ministry Program will continue and is currently being restructured.

Please keep him in your prayers.

Also, please join the Parish community in praying the rosary for the future of youth ministry at Sacred Heart Parish every Sunday (just before the 5 PM Youth Mass) at 4:30 PM in the main body of the Church.

VOLUNTEERS?

Interested in becoming involved in this year's all-volunteer youth program? Please contact Fr. Art Gramaje at the Church office (928) 445-3141 or email him at FrAGramaje@SacredHeartPrescott.com Currently, those interested in volunteering with Middle School youth are having planning meetings on Tuesday afternoons and those volunteering with High School youth are having planning meetings on Thursday evenings. Times and days of the week are still subject to change, however, so please still contact Fr. Art if you are interested.

FROM OUR PASTOR

July 17, 2011

My dear parishioners:

For those who have followed the previous financial reports in this bulletin, it is apparent that this past fiscal year has challenged us in both our revenues and expenses. There were some notable factors that contributed to the parish’s budget deficit:

• 5% cut from plate collections =- $50,000; additional 3% deduction = $37,918 with one less Sunday Collection of $20,000 = $57,918
• Over $30,000 in extraordinary, unforeseen plant/maintenance expenses
• A Fundraising/Development shortfall of $151,797.24.
• Accounting for depreciation: $129,600.

Given conservative estimates regarding the projected Sunday collections and following the strong recommendation from the Parish Finance Council, we needed to cut expenses totaling $175,000 from the 2011-2012 budget. These are some highlights from these difficult cuts:

• A major reduction of salaries for three employees
• The Claretian Missionaries took a 10% cut in payroll
• Parish staff will take two weeks of unpaid work furlough
• Sold the school bus and one of the priest’s cars
• Elimination of the full time Youth Minister position and part time maintenance position
• Each ministry department of the parish cut 10% from the previous budget
• A combination of repair maintenance, reduced salaries, and reduced services has allowed us to adjust our total budget for 2011/2012 fiscal budget saving $181,180.91.

These cuts are difficult but necessary if we are to be fiscally responsible to the members of the parish and the resources that you so generously share.

I want to start a Development Council that will plan and implement positive actions in the areas of stewardship, development, and major fundraising. I hope that this will help us exceed our projections for our various revenue streams in the upcoming fiscal year.

I pray that the Lord will continue to guide us in all things—even finances. I believe that our God is a God of providence and that with all of us doing our part, we will not only establish ourselves financially, but flourish in all of our ministries. If we focus on our mission and goals, Sacred Heart will grow in both our faith and in our community. Fr. Art Gramaje, CMF

In Mary’s Heart,

Fr. Art Gramaje, CMF
Pastor

fragramaje@sacredheartprescott.com
(928) 445-3141

Sacred Heart Parish
World Youth Day Madrid
2011 Pilgrims

Our pilgrims are back safe and sound!