It has taken over a year to develop and enhance the financial structure of Saint John the Evangelist to become a transparent and mission-focused effort that provides for the spectrum of services and community of our Parish Family. With the help of the Finance Council and our Capital Planning Committee, we have identified both near-term and long-term needs as well as being able to schedule those requirements in a disciplined way. For example, this year we have significantly constrained our capital investments due to the anticipated (and now the reality) of our construction and renovation efforts. Below is the list of approved Capital Improvements for this fiscal year:
| Title/Description | Anticipated Timeline for Start/Completion |
| TV’s for Classrooms | Fall 2016 |
| Front Desk Office Chairs | Summer 2016 |
| Prayer Garden Fountain | Fall 2016 |
| Event Management Software | Summer 2016 |
| Utility Carts | Fall 2016 |
| A/V Deployment for Library | Summer 2016 |
| PLC Round Table Replacement | Winter 2017 |
| PLC Long Table Replacement | Winter 2017 |
We are now in a position where we have a solidified structure to our operating expenses as well, as I discussed a few weeks ago. That allows us to develop budgets not just based on plans, but also based on past experience. Last year was the first time St. John established a truly budgetary process, where organizations were required to provide their planned spending monthly basis, rather than whole annual numbers. This allows us to manage both our cash flow as well as plan for those above capital expenses so we do not put a strain on the gifts you, our Parish Family, continue to provide. It is our responsibility as the stewards of these gifts to be as efficient and mission-driven as possible. We have cut overhead costs with simple but effective steps like centralizing our office supply purchases and paper goods. We have put in place appropriate safeguards, to include procedures for counting and approving the fund gathering and reimbursement process. Some of you may have noticed small changes, like ensuring two ushers are with the Offertory basket when it leaves the Sanctuary, and even making that part of the Recessional after Mass.
A crossroads is upon us, however. St. John is about to embark on a new financial structure, along with a completely different operational environment. We now have persistent programs and activities being started that will include costs and fees associated with them, from memberships to concert tickets, to food and drink, to sports leagues. It will require an entirely different effort on the part of our Parish Family to accomplish these programs, and that will alter the financial environment of the church as well, hopefully bringing more income and most importantly, more people to our Catholic Faith.