Parish Administrator Notes

Paying for Things (Capital Needs) Question: What do the following facilities projects have in common? 1. 2016 million dollar elevator & boiler projects 2. 2023 roof replacements (school and Parish Center buildings) 3. 2023-24 electric panel replacement project 4. 2024 solar panel installation 5. Parking lot project (hopefully this summer) Answers: a. They’re necessary to maintain our facilities b. They’re desirable, to help the earth c. Most of them have been financed in whole or in part by Catholic Finance Corporation (CFC) d. All of the above The correct answer is d. CFC … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – June 2, 2024

Our Parking Lot I recently learned from a long-time parishioner that our parking lot hasn’t been redone in the 45 years she’s aware of. That’s a long time! And it helps me understand why it’s in such bad shape. (Our Catholic Mutual insurance inspectors regularly tell us to get it done, so as to reduce trip hazards.) As I understand it, we’ve been patching it and patching it and patching it. That’s better than nothing, but it’s time to redo the whole thing. That’s the consensus of our Facilities Committee and Finance Council. Right now, we’re still researching asphalt contractors. We have … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – May 26, 2024

Happy Easter Season! Alleluia! He is risen! I wish you, your family and your friends a joyful Easter season. We had wonderful liturgical celebrations during Holy Week and the Triduum*, because many, many people stepped up to help. Thank you to all who contributed their time, knowledge and skills to our many liturgical ministries. It was a lot of work, done well! (In fact, the word “liturgy” refers to “the work of the people.”) Thanks as well to everyone in the assembly, the entire group of worshipers coming together. There’s a classic line from a liturgical document: “The most important … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – April 7, 2024

Holy Week & Triduum (the Three Days) Do you recall when you first heard the term, “Triduum”? I don’t, exactly. I just know that in my lifetime, that term has become more commonly used. We’re now more focused on the Three Days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, with the Easter Vigil as the culminating liturgical experience of the entire year. As Catholics, we’re still assimilating the liturgical renewal made possible by the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s. The restoration of the Easter Vigil was among the most noteworthy elements of the renewal. Fun fact: the … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – March 17, 2024

Money I heard yet another talk about money recently. It was at the February 28 annual Investment Conference put on by the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota (CCF). I attended on behalf of St. Matt’s. Also in attendance were other business administrators, clergy, and finance council members from numerous parishes throughout the Archdiocese. In her opening remarks, CCF President Anne Cullen Miller reminded us that donors give through, not to, CCF. Whether it be through an endowment, a donor advised fund, a trust, or another mechanism, CCF is a Catholic steward of donor dollars. Its … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – March 10, 2024

Change the World Several members of our Finance Council commented at its January 25 meeting that “We’re doing well.” For example, Sunday (= weekend) giving is very close to what we budgeted. Thank you! Regular giving is the cornerstone of how we meet our operational needs. As for capital needs, we continue to make progress on maintaining our buildings. Among other things in 2023, we replaced three roofs; improved lighting, wiring and heating; and installed security cameras. It’s a big campus, however, and there are still big things to be done. (Think parking lot.) That’s where contributions … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – February 4, 2024

What’s in Your Imagination? At last Sunday’s 10:15 a.m. Mass, guest priest Fr. Thomas Kommers preached on the power of imagination. His examples included Jesus, who resisted the lack of imagination that reduced God to an idol; or the idea that God only loved certain groups of people. Another example was Pope John XXIII, whose imagination led to the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s. In Pope John’s words, the Council would open the windows of the church and let in the fresh air of the Holy Spirit. Here at St. Matt’s, we often talk about Vatican II. The Council’s teachings emphasized … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – January 28, 2024

Future Planning I’m delighted that our Parish Council members are taking leadership roles in thinking about our parish’s future. I sincerely hope many other parish members join the Future Planning Task Force being formed. Please consider attending the initial meeting on Thursday, January 25 at 6:30 p.m. We will meet in the Social Hall. I meet monthly with fellow parish administrators from throughout the Archdiocese. We exchange stories, information and support. I know I’ve learned a lot at these gatherings. I’ve also found it interesting to compare how we’re doing with how other parishes … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – January 21, 2024

Harry Selken We prayed for Harry Selken at Mass last weekend. Who’s that, you might ask? Perhaps you recall seeing Harry’s name in a previous column of mine. I wrote about him last year. Harry died a couple of years ago, leaving St. Matt’s a bequest of roughly $570,000. Despite our best efforts, we know little about Harry. He was 81 when he died, he had no known family, and no one could tell us what he did in life. We asked a lot of people, including long-time members of St. Matt’s. We do know that he spent some time at Cerenity, across the street. Our hypothesis is that Fr. Steve and/or … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – January 14, 2024

Togetherness It’s central to our faith to worship together, so I was delighted to see so many people at Masses during the Christmas season! I like the feeling of solidarity with fellow believers. And wasn’t our church building especially beautiful during the past few weeks? Many thanks to all those who decorated the church for the season: Mary and Bob Bejblik, Linda Sellars, Mary Leibl, and volunteers from our parish Faith Formation program, coordinated by Janelle Rohr and Dave Sonday. (It was quite the swift turnaround from the 4th Sunday of Advent to Christmas Eve, all in a few … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – January 7, 2024

Happy New Year! (And Continued Christmas Wishes) I hope your Christmas season has been splendid, with many opportunities for time with loved ones. I know I’ve enjoyed worshipping at St. Matt’s, as well as spending time with friends and family. Special thanks to music director Cristina Czaia, choir members, and all the musicians who’ve enhanced our worship during this season. I’ve heard many compliments! My hope for 2024 is that all of us are a light for others. Fr. Steve’s preaching and recent Gospels call us to be that light. Ever since I arrived here in 2021, I’ve repeatedly seen St. … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – December 31, 2023

Merry Christmas! Welcome, one and all, to St. Matt’s for the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas 2023. We’re glad you’re here, celebrating Christ’s birth with us! Christmas is a season that features gift giving. I’ve been reminded of that a lot lately. For example, I saw the many gifts this community gave to Isaac’s Blessing Bags. I heard this was the most generous year yet for that project. That’s great! I witness another gift when we gather for worship: your presence, here in church. It is good to be together in person. One more thought: I believe St. Matt’s is a gift to the West Side and … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – December 24, 2023

Community Conversation #4 (11.28.23) We recently had another good meeting with West Side friends and neighbors. This one was held at Humboldt High School. It was great to hear from HHS students, staff and parents—as well as to tour the building. For example, I learned that Humboldt has an agriculture program, with licensed ag teachers. Urban farming, anyone? Who knew? I also met some very impressive JROTC students. They welcomed us at the front door, guided us to the cafeteria, served supper, and spoke about their program, classes and plans. This meeting certainly focused on Humboldt, … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – December 17, 2023

Be Careful Out There! Our insurance company, Catholic Mutual, has a regular reminder for all parishes and schools each fall: be careful while walking, driving, or doing anything outside. Cold weather is here. To summarize: do the “Penguin Shuffle” while walking. That is, take smaller steps and watch your center of gravity. We do everything we can to clear snow from our steps, sidewalks and parking lot, but everyone should still be careful. Catholic Mutual also advises us to make sure our buildings are prepared for winter. Thanks to Steve K., volunteers, and Englund Roofing, our school and … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – December 3, 2023

CENSUS & SYNOD Last month, we submitted census information to the Archdiocese. Many of the questions had to do with basic parish facts, e.g., physical address, staff members, and programs. There were also “number” questions about the 12 months ending September 30. How many parishioners? How many for this or that sacrament? How many children in Faith Formation? We reported 511 registered parish households and 1,214 registered parishioners. (We also have several dozen active parishioners who are not registered.) We had 27 baptisms (various ages) and 27 funerals. We had 32 students in … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – November 26, 2023

MORTALITY, LEGACY, AND GRATITUDE One of this week’s inserts promotes our free November 30 morning seminar, called “Preparing for Heaven.” Check it out for details. I think it’ll be a great morning, with food for body and soul, along with useful information. I was originally thinking of calling this column, “You’re Going to Die”, based on an October 30 article in the StarTribune. That’s a rather jarring headline, so I went with mortality. When I was younger, I rarely thought about my mortality. I have to admit I’m thinking more about it these days—and not just because of stark headlines. … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – November 19, 2023

LITURGY & HOSPITALITY I’m still thinking about last Saturday’s liturgy training workshop. Our presenter, Moya McGinn Mathews, had plenty of thought-provoking material for our ministers of Word and Table. (We more often use the terms “lector” and “Eucharistic minister”.) Hospitality was a key theme throughout the workshop. It’s important, whether we’re welcoming someone at the door to the church, proclaiming God’s word, or sharing our holy meal. As Jesus said, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Some ways to be hospitable are more visible than others. It’s worth remembering the many … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – November 12, 2023

My columns often focus on operational matters here at St. Matt’s. This week’s no exception; the focus is on financial matters rather than facilities. APFR stands for Annual Parish Financial Report. This is required by the end of October each year. It provides the Archdiocese with an accounting of our parish revenues and expenses for FY23 (Fiscal Year 2023, which ended June 30). Thanks to our contract with PASC (Parish Accounting Service Center), the APFR is pretty easy for the CSM (Church of St. Matthew). We collected the necessary signatures from our PA (Parochial Administrator) Fr. Antony … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – November 5, 2023

CORPORAL (BODILY) WORKS OF MERCY Last weekend, we celebrated World Mission Sunday. Thank you for your support of Pope Francis’ mission work throughout the world. For me, it was a providential coincidence that the fall issue of Mission magazine crossed my desk a few days ago. That’s because I always enjoy seeing pictures and articles about our church’s work in other countries. They bring back fond memories of my years in Bogotá (Colombia) and São Paulo (Brazil), since the priests serving the Catholic chaplaincies in those cities were missionary priests. (Note to self: place these magazines in … [Read more...] about Parish Administrator’s Note – October 29, 2023