Pastor’s Desk ~ November 10, 2024

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

I’d like to take this opportunity to deal with a few matters which, while not requiring an entire “Pastor’s Desk,” are very good news indeed.

Annual Ministries Appeal 2024: Since my previous low-key appeal for the AMA, I’m happy to say that we have gone from being $18,000 short of our goal, to being more than $7,000 over goal. In one month, there has been a greater than $25,000 positive “swing.” We will receive a $7,000+ rebate to help close our significant budget deficit for 2024-25. I am most grateful for your generous response.

Good News: What’s even better news is that since we have met our goal, all special gifts through the end of this year, whether to the AMA or directly to the parish, will be exempt from the 9% diocesan assessment through the end of 2024. Since we are facing a large budget deficit, I would like to take full advantage of what is effectively a 9% bonus on special contributions (i.e., not through the weekly plate) through at least the end of 2024 and perhaps beyond.

Plainly stated, any special donations before the end of this year will be worth 9% more than before. (If you know of any return on investment higher than 9% per year, please let our Parish Finance Committee know…) Special gifts can take the form of cash, appreciated stock, or other negotiable instruments. I can put you in touch with members of our Finance Committee, who are skilled professionals, to help you put your intentions into effect.

This may be a good time to mention wills and testamentary gifts. Through the history of our parish, wills and bequests have been a major source of financial stability and security for our parish and for all who depend on us for their livelihood. Any funds not used for daily operations are invested securely at the highest rates available. (Recently, our parish and school were able to lock in a most favorable interest rate days before rates were lowered nationwide.) Most importantly, your bequest or residual gift will give expression to your lasting hopes for our parish, and your gratitude for the blessings with which God has favored you and your loved ones. Your estate attorney can help you. (There are many excellent local estate attorneys available.)

October Mass Count: The Mass Count, recently concluded, has more good news. Our count for 2024 was 2,648. That means that, on average over 4 weeks, 2,648 people attended Mass with us. By way of comparison, our pre-COVID Mass Count for 2018 – just 6 years ago – was 1,521.

Every effort is made for an accurate count, but that gratifies and even surprises me. Offhand, I can think of good reasons for at least part of this increase. Over time, there has been an increased appreciation for the excellent service provided by our office staff. They are efficient and endlessly patient with every imaginable request, including (last week) a request for a baptismal certificate from 1868. (We had it.) We have been blessed with a series of first-rate associates, a resident Monsignor, and a terrific Deacon who provide a variety of fine homilies and great pastoral support. We also have a significant number of young families, which visitors invariably comment to me about.

Our parish, while even older than Petaluma itself, has tremendous residual strength in its people. The ultimate proof is that our church, with the Blessed Sacrament at its center, feels prayed in, and feels like a home. It can be left open, like no other church I know of, because it is almost always occupied by at least one soul seeking God.

Blessings,
Fr. Bill Donahue