Father’s Notes: June 22, 2025

As I write this, I’m away for a few days with a couple friends, Fr. Jerry Burns and Father Chad Green, tent-camping at Deception Pass State Park. We’ve come here every year for quite awhile now. It’s early in the morning, and still a bit cold, but it will be a beautiful day.

This past weekend, Fr. Ben and I asked for your participation in the Annual Catholic Appeal, and cited the letters that you have received by now, which remind us of the purpose of the Annual Catholic Appeal, and also includes the amounts our respective parishes will owe to the Archdiocese.

As Fr. Ben and I asked, please consider, for each household, a gift of $365 this year. And if you are able, please consider a little more.

We also made an appeal to our younger adults, those in the range of age 18-25. While you might be inclined to think that contributing to the church is what your parents do, and which you will eventually do when you have a family, I ask you to start thinking differently, especially if you are Confirmed. If you have a steady source of income, I ask you to consider a gift of $100 for the year.

Because our respective parishes have different needs, we intend to use any rebate that comes in different ways. As St. Thomas, any rebate we receive will go to St. Vincent de Paul ministries, in service to the poor.

I would love to do that also at St. Philomena, but unfortunately, our current financial situation is what needs attention. When we began to get a clear view of our financial realities in November and December—it took time to sort through it all—we eventually realized that we are not healthy financially.

At St. Philomena, for our rebate, we’re to trying to ensure our parish school doesn’t need to have another significant increase in tuition, due diminished parish support. Secondly, a parish should maintain three month’s reserve on-hand, for when it’s needed, yet we only have somewhere between two and four weeks’ worth. We must build that up.

At both parishes, we work with a rather lean budget. We have small staffs. And as with employees who work for almost any non-profit organization, they could make more money, working in the private sector. We’re so blessed to have them, their dedication, energy and skills.

My point is that I believe we’re being efficient and prudent the financial support you entrust to us. I take that responsibility seriously, as I thank you for your support. Again, please pray about how to support the ACA.

Now, back to the morning sounds of the birds here at Deception Pass, the tall trees, the emerging sunlight…and my coffee.