Today I have a threefold message for each of you.  First a message of thanks, second a message of concern, and third, a message of challenge.

First:  A special thank you to each one of you who generously supports the work of Holy Cross Parish with your financial gifts and with your gifts of time and talent. With your generous support and commitment over the years we have been able to develop and implement significant programs that have lead to a greater interest and involvement of parishioners in their faith and in the life of our parish community of Holy Cross.  A few examples are our Jubilee 2000 preparations and celebrations, our Parish Visioning Conference in March 2000, the ALPHA program, and our Liturgy Conference this past September.   This is in addition to our Sacramental Preparation and Youth Programs and all the other pastoral services that are provided.  Without the dedicated service of our pastor, Fr. Norm, our Pastoral Assistant, Dollette, and our Administrative Coordinator, Jane, along with the support of our part-time secretaries and janitor, programs such as these would meet with limited success. In your bulletin this weekend, you will find a brief outline of the work the staff does on our behalf.  We hope this leaflet will give you some insight into their work and its value to Holy Cross Parish.

Second, our concern: As Pastoral Council we are concerned about the parish budget.  Each year 
Finance Council develops a budget that keeps expenses in line with previous years and projects a reasonable expectation of revenue.  At this time, the particular area of concern is collection revenue. Enclosed in this week's bulletin is a Financial Statement to the end of November.  You can see from the report that our collection revenue has not kept pace with our budget for this year.  We have a fundraising committee that has worked creatively to raise money and for that we are thankful to them and to you. However, that revenue does not make up for fewer dollars given through collections.  

It is the implications of the overall revenue shortfall that we, as Pastoral Council must face. We are concerned that the strong leadership team we have in place may be in jeopardy because of declining revenues and the increasing expenses in the operation of our parish, in particular, our aging building. The most important function here at Holy Cross Parish is the development of the Church as a living reality--building up the Body of Christ in our Christian community of Holy Cross.  Our pastoral programs and services are our reason for being.  However, we also need to take care of the facilities we have that provide us a physical "spiritual home".  We all know that home maintenance expenses continue to increase from year to year. Our church building is now 40 years old and we anticipate the need for replacing the boiler system in the not too distant future. 

Now, for the challenge: Please take time to read the material in the bulletin and then consider the support you have given your parish this past year.  At this Christmas season of giving and sharing, please include Holy Cross Parish on your list and make a generous gift in support of your parish community.  As well, when planning your personal budget for 2002, please give careful consideration to your church donations. We invite every individual and family to divide your income by an average 40 hour work week to place a value on an hour of your time.  Then compare this hourly value with your average weekly gift to God through your parish of Holy Cross.  Just as you give God the first hour of your time each week celebrating the Eucharist with your parish family, make the value of your first hour of labour your regular weekly gift to God for the blessing you have been given especially through your Church. 

This Tuesday, (Dec. 11) Pastoral and Finance Councils will be meeting together to prepare a budget proposal for 2002.  We ask for your prayerful support as we undertake this task, and for your generous financial support for this fiscal year ending Dec. 31 and for the 2002 year ahead.  

We thank you, and we know that God will richly bless you, for God is never outdone in generosity.

Note:  The inserts referred to in this article were published in the Dec. 8-9 bulletin.  They are also available on the parish web site: www.geocities.com/holy-cross/

DID YOU KNOW?
One of the easiest ways to save money on your taxes is to give to your favourite cause.  The following is an excerpt from an article in the KPMG Canadian Tax Letter – Nov. 2001 issue:

Get in the spirit of giving by donating more to charity and less to the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA).

Making charitable donations entitles you to a two-tier tax credit.  For 2001, the first $200 in donations for the year (total to all charities) gives you a 16% federal tax credit, worth about 26% when provincial tax is taken into account.  All donations above $200 give you a 29% federal tax credit, worth about 47% when provincial tax is factored in.

You can claim donations that equal a maximum of 75% of your net income.  If you have excess donations or if you choose not to claim a donation in the year you made, it, you can carry the donation forward and claim it in any of the following five years.  Make your donations by Dec. 31, 2001 to claim them on your 2001 tax return.