December 27, 2011
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Peace!
 

DECLINE
Recently repaired, our church tower speaks of Faith. It raises the cross. Its bell calls us to worship. Its light shines for Christ. Yet its people are facing a crisis.

I have served you for a long time and I am seeing a worrisome change. There are less of us at Mass. And our offertory reflects that decline. We are down 5% in offertory. The cause is obvious. Regularly practicing Catholics are the main source of fiscal health. As less of us are here on Sunday everything suffers. Saint James put his finger on it long ago. He wrote, “Faith without practice is dead.” (James 2:17). The first issue here is faith, not money. The worship of God, especially in the Eucharist is no small matter. It is a commandment of Christ: see Luke 22:19 and I Corinthians 11:24. But, as we await the conversion of all of us, (and I include myself), something must be done about our financial situation.

OFFERTORY and GRAND ANNUAL COLLECTION
I am asking that all of us increase our offertory giving by $2. And I am asking that we all give $175 to the Grand Annual Collection: a goal of $140,000.

GRATITUDE
The financial stability of Holy Family Parish over the years has derived from all of you who quietly, regularly support your parish week in and week out. All of you, faithful folks, please accept my most sincere gratitude.

Because of your fidelity and your solid support, your parish, by God’s grace, is the community that it is today. I congratulate you. I thank God for you. Your envelope for the GAC is in your monthly packet of envelopes. Thank you for giving $175 for the Grand Annual.

FAIRNESS
I am asking all of us to step up to the plate here. All the Catholics of Rockland see Holy Family Parish as theirs. And it is! But providing service for its 2,800 families is expensive. I address those of you who are irregular in giving. Fairness calls you to carry your share. Please make your Grand Annual contribution of $175. And, thank you, most sincerely.

To all of you who have had the kindness to consider my logic about increased giving of $2 more a week, thank you. Please let’s be clear. In these tough economic times, please give what you are able to give. To those of you who are unable to give more, that’s fine. Don’t worry. Keep your Faith. Practice it. Give what you can. It is in the end in the hands of the Lord.

In the Precious Name of Jesus,
Father James F. Hickey, Your Pastor