APP Report
We recently had a visit from the Archdiocesan Parish Planning (APP) group. Team members Steve Karel and Phil Paquette have checked in with me regularly since I began here in 2021. Both have a strong background in parish planning and finance.
The primary purpose of their visit was to see how we’re responding to our long-time pastor Fr. Steve Adrian’s death December 1. That gave Karen Thompson (trustee) and me a chance to tell our December story. Recall that in the space of three weeks, this community and its friends organized a beautiful celebration of Fr. Steve’s life.
We also shared Fr. Steve stories we gathered at our “Soup and Stories” events on the weekend of January 25 and 26.
Steve and Phil asked about finances. We said that we continue to pay all our bills. We’re able to do that because of your steady support (thank you!), along with rental income from our school building tenant, Quantum STEAM Academy (QSA).
Speaking of QSA, we’re in the midst of finalizing a lease extension for the current year, ending June 20, 2025. For a number of reasons, we were unable to finalize it last year.
QSA has informed us that they want to stay here for at least another year, with possible extensions beyond that. Those negotiations have begun.
One of the things Karen and I heard from Steve and Phil was that the Archdiocese really values St. Matt’s service to our parish and West Side communities. That is to say, we’re not only a Catholic faith community, we’re also a neighborhood institution.
Fr. Steve’s leadership contributed greatly to those overlapping realities of faith community and service organization. He valued the Eucharist, worship and contemplation. He also valued care for all, particularly the least among us.
Let us continue to honor his legacy: All are welcome to worship here. All are invited to service.
Have a great week! Thank you for your support!
Phil Grant, Administrator
Safe Environment Coordinator
651-224-9793
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