Beyond Sunday…
Two bits of good news to report to you. St. Ann received its first share of the Beyond Sunday monies. As you remember, each parish receives 40% of the parish campaign total, distributed twice a year – once in March, for all the funds collected the previous July through December, and once in October, for all the funds received from January through June. So our first installment (and probably the largest, as more than a few donors paid off their entire pledge up front) was a check for $34,809.87. That money was deposited in our parish fund on March 31st.
Our first two priorities are the exterior center roof of the church and the glass and steel ‘cage’ that protects our magnificent stained glass window. I have signed a contract with RMT Roofing Consultants, a firm recommended by the Archdiocese, who will do a thorough analysis of the current church roofs, develop the scope of work, put those out for bids, and make recommendations with appropriate budget projections including alternate solutions with value analysis. Once we have selected a contractor, RMT will provide the timetable for installation, and guide us through the repair process.
I am in consultation with an alum about a time table (and more importantly, a payment schedule) for doing the work on the structure which protects our Stained Glass Window. My hope is to have both of those projects done by the end of summer. (though this former project might have to wait for the October installment of funds for payment.)
The second bit of good news is that six Saint Ann School families received $9,000 in scholarship funding for next year. These funds come from the Archdiocesan share of the Beyond Sunday Campaign. (60%) Around the Archdiocese, they have awarded $1.2 million dollars worth of Scholarships, including at least one scholarship to every Catholic High School (there are 27) and scholarships to 98 parochial schools. These scholarships are in addition to the Alive in Christ Scholarships, which this year total $98,000.
Thanks again, to all who made their pledge, and have begun paying those pledges off. They are already making a difference in our parish and Archdiocese. (If you did not pledge to the Beyond Sunday Campaign, but still want to, please contact me at your convenience. I would be happy to assist you in any way possible.)