Saint John has had a banner year when it comes to our mission, our support of the community, and our growth of programs. The only way we have been able to successfully execute the new efforts along with our normal whirlwind of functions and activities is due to the entire Parish Family’s active involvement, including the continued generosity of all of you. In the interest of complete transparency and collaboration, I wanted to provide you with the details from the past year’s financial operations. This week, we will focus on the income of Saint John for our Offertory. Next week, we will discuss the next fiscal year budget and costs.
As this growth chart illustrates, this past year (Saint John’s fiscal year goes from July to June) was the best we have ever had in terms of overall financial growth. Even with the Capital Campaign, our Offertory Income grew 8% from last year, the highest percentage from the past several years of giving to our parish, which showcases the increased growth and vitality of Saint John’s Parish Family. Thank you all! Your giving allows for our parish to provide the best possible services, from our beautiful music during Mass, to the landscaping of our campus, to the salaries of our priests and staff.
I do want to be frank with you all. I do not expect this trend to continue for the next few years due to our Capital Campaign. It has been proven that when being asked to give for a new effort, the regular giving normally does decrease as families and individuals prioritize their own finances. I have asked the staff to decrease their overall budgeting and spending to ensure we continue to operate in the best possible way for you. We must be stewards of the treasure you impart on our parish. We appreciate every gift you provide to this parish.
Another interesting trend that we found while we were evaluating the past years’ financials was the change in our weekly Offertory amounts. As you can see from this chart, several years ago, our weekly amount would fluctuate wildly due to the seasonal nature of the Parish Family. Years ago, we would see a major drop in the income coming in during the summer months. In Fiscal Year 2015 (this past year) however, the dip has been significantly less pronounced. This trend showcases several themes that are essential for planning the future of Saint John:
- Individuals and families in Naples are staying longer here or becoming permanent residents
- We are no longer a seasonal-only parish, but a year-round active community with wonderful seasonal engagement
- Programs and events should be developed that provide activity for the entire year
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about our financial efforts or any other issues you may have here at Saint John.