Given COVID restrictions will likely continue well into 2021, we have decided to formally close the Together We’re Better (TWB) gift card program at year’s end. The TWB program was launched in the Fall of 1997 under the leadership of Father Hauck and Mike Brand.  The program was expanded upon Fr. Bryon’s arrival with John and Margot Hirlinger’s leadership. Over the last twenty three years, the TWB program provided more than $850,000 in supplemental parish income. Special thanks to Laurie Heinzer, who maintained the TWB gift card inventory and performed weekly gift card/bank deposit reconciliations.  And thanks to all of our volunteers who sold TWB cards at the parish office, during school pickup and weekend masses. In January, we will return the remaining gift card inventory to the supplier and plan to apply the ending TWB cash on hand to the upcoming summer 2021 Church Renovation projects.

The Facilities Committee continues to make substantial progress on church renovation plans and approvals As promised in the “Cherishing our Past and Building our Future” campaign, the scope of the work will include new church HVAC, lighting, painting, flooring, crucifix centered over the tabernacle and kneeler refurbishment work. As of late November, we have $310K on deposit of the estimated $950K project costs. In addition to hoped-for receipt of remaining Capital Campaign pledge payments, we will apply the aforementioned TWB proceeds and plan to apply prior year Fallfest and Jubilatio fundraising proceeds to keep the promised church work on schedule for this summer.

Finally, with the expected and well deserved retirement of our bookkeeper, Diane Bengard, at year’s end, the Finance Committee has engaged the archdiocesan Shared Accounting Service (SAS) to maintain our parish accounting books and records. Under the new arrangement, our parish office staff will send collection and tuition income deposits information and bill payment details to the SAS accounting team who will process required accounting transactions, balance bank statements and produce required monthly and year-end financial reports. The Finance Committee will continue to oversee Sunday offertory collection deposits and oversee all financial reports produced by SAS. If we find the SAS services acceptable, we expect a small reduction in parish bookkeeping costs under this arrangement.