This coming week is the kickoff for the Diocesan Annual Appeal (DAA), and I am asking members of each of the parishes to prayerfully consider your own personal participation.   (A mailing about the campaign is being sent directly to your home.)  So often, people are quick to react negatively when it comes to “the diocese,” but it has always been my personal experience that the diocesan offices and diocesan personnel are very quick to provide assistance when needed, and provide many valuable services that we simply cannot provide for ourselves at the local level.  (More information about those services is available in the mailing that you will be receiving.)  I acknowledge that Ministry 2025 has raised the concerns of many about “the diocese” and decisions that must be made, but I certainly do not believe blame can be placed on them for the dilemma we face with the shortage of priests and the shifting demographics of rural communities.  If this is what I believe, then I must put my own money where my mouth is.  To that end, I have personally donated $100 to each one of the thirteen parishes of this cluster to kick off contributions toward their respective goals. Please help me in supporting this year’s DAA campaign.

But I am not only asking for your help with DAA.  I am also asking every household to prayerfully consider your overall financial stewardship to your parish site – specifically, your ordinary giving each weekend.

In the past few months, I have met with ten of the thirteen finance councils for the parishes of this cluster.  In almost every case, we have reviewed financial reports that show income for each parish to be down.  While the decreases are not major, they are enough for us to be somewhat concerned.

There can be various reasons for the decreases that we are seeing, including the current farm economy, generally lower income that comes in the summer months, and Ministry 2025 with the uncertainties around that process.  Whatever the reason, as the current Pastor of these parishes I can only say that the decrease in income simply makes it more difficult for the parishes to continue to meet ongoing expenses, which makes the work of our current team of priests as well as the parish volunteers who serve on each of the finance councils that much more difficult.  Please prayerfully consider your own financial stewardship as we enter into the final months of this calendar year.  Your help and generosity will be greatly appreciated.