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The Pastor’s Corner
As we near the end of the calendar year, there are a couple of things I would like to bring to your attention and ask for your help.
Initially, with the end of the calendar year we are also approaching the end of the first half of our fiscal year. In September we published a budget for expenses for the upcoming year along with anticipated revenue. We anticipated a 5% growth in our regular offertory for planning purposes, which was conservative in light of the previous three years. However, there has been roughly a 10% decline in our regular offertory, creating a 15% difference between what was an anticipated and actual offering. This is a significant difference which has impacted our ability to achieve the goals set forth at the beginning of the fiscal year. If you are able, please put St. Landry on your Christmas gift list this year, and consider an increase your regular offertory in the New Year. As was mentioned in the parish report in September, every offering is appreciated and needed, and please know that it is never insignificant! Our hope is to continue making progress in improving the beauty of our worship, to continue the maintenance and improvements of our beautiful buildings, and to provide better pastoral services to all in need, especially those who are most vulnerable. Know of my thanks in advance for your generous response!
Second, our Chancellor at Opelousas Catholic, Msgr. Keith DeRouen, has asked for additional input regarding the school by way of a follow up survey to the one taken at the beginning of the school year. Copies of the surveys are on the tables at the back of the church near the confessionals. These surveys are not only for parents of our children who attend Opelousas Catholic, but for all of our community who are interested, including alumni, grandparents and friends of the school who would like to comment. The surveys are self-explanatory and should be returned to our office by noon on December 31, 2013. Thanks in advance for your participation and input!
Please know of my continued prayers for all of us during this Advent Season to "prepare the way of the Lord" for His coming at Christmas.
God Bless!
Fr. James Brady
The Advent 2013 Penance Services
Zechariah in his prayer to God speaks of his son, John: “And you, child….will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins…” (Luke 1:76-77)
Church: Our Lady Queen of Angels (Opelousas) Date: Dec. 16th (Monday) Time: 6:00pm City-Wide Penance Service
Church: Holy Ghost (Opelousas) Date: Dec. 19th (Thursday) Time: 6:00pm
The Light is on for YOU
On Wednesday, December 18th—from 6:30-8:00pm, we will be offering confessions here at St. Landry, together with all the Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Lafayette. This outreach is called “The Light is On For You,” and is an effort on the part of our Diocese to highlight the importance of the Sacrament of Confession in the life of Catholics and to make it as easy as possible for every Catholic to come or to return to this great source of God’s mercy and healing love. You are welcome to come here or to go to any other Catholic parish in the Diocese. Please make plans to come yourself and please invite others to take advantage of this great opportunity to be reconciled and begin anew your journey in faith this Advent.
Initially, with the end of the calendar year we are also approaching the end of the first half of our fiscal year. In September we published a budget for expenses for the upcoming year along with anticipated revenue. We anticipated a 5% growth in our regular offertory for planning purposes, which was conservative in light of the previous three years. However, there has been roughly a 10% decline in our regular offertory, creating a 15% difference between what was an anticipated and actual offering. This is a significant difference which has impacted our ability to achieve the goals set forth at the beginning of the fiscal year. If you are able, please put St. Landry on your Christmas gift list this year, and consider an increase your regular offertory in the New Year. As was mentioned in the parish report in September, every offering is appreciated and needed, and please know that it is never insignificant! Our hope is to continue making progress in improving the beauty of our worship, to continue the maintenance and improvements of our beautiful buildings, and to provide better pastoral services to all in need, especially those who are most vulnerable. Know of my thanks in advance for your generous response!
Second, our Chancellor at Opelousas Catholic, Msgr. Keith DeRouen, has asked for additional input regarding the school by way of a follow up survey to the one taken at the beginning of the school year. Copies of the surveys are on the tables at the back of the church near the confessionals. These surveys are not only for parents of our children who attend Opelousas Catholic, but for all of our community who are interested, including alumni, grandparents and friends of the school who would like to comment. The surveys are self-explanatory and should be returned to our office by noon on December 31, 2013. Thanks in advance for your participation and input!
Please know of my continued prayers for all of us during this Advent Season to "prepare the way of the Lord" for His coming at Christmas.
God Bless!
Fr. James Brady
Zechariah in his prayer to God speaks of his son, John: “And you, child….will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins…” (Luke 1:76-77)
Church: Our Lady Queen of Angels (Opelousas) Date: Dec. 16th (Monday) Time: 6:00pm City-Wide Penance Service
Church: Holy Ghost (Opelousas) Date: Dec. 19th (Thursday) Time: 6:00pm
The Light is on for YOU
On Wednesday, December 18th—from 6:30-8:00pm, we will be offering confessions here at St. Landry, together with all the Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Lafayette. This outreach is called “The Light is On For You,” and is an effort on the part of our Diocese to highlight the importance of the Sacrament of Confession in the life of Catholics and to make it as easy as possible for every Catholic to come or to return to this great source of God’s mercy and healing love. You are welcome to come here or to go to any other Catholic parish in the Diocese. Please make plans to come yourself and please invite others to take advantage of this great opportunity to be reconciled and begin anew your journey in faith this Advent.
The bulletin for the week of December 15, 2013 has been posted. Click here to see it.The calendar on the website has been updated with all events for the coming week along with prayer intention information and information on the second collection for all of the masses. Take some time to look at our calendar here.
Updates are also being made to our St. Landry Catholic Church blog. You can get to the blog from the church home page under the Bulletins and News section or you can just click here to go to it.
Don't forget, we're also sending out live updates via Twitter. Our Twitter name is StLandryCath. You can see updates by clicking here.
And we're also on Facebook --- friend us! You can see our updates on our page SaintLandryCatholicChurch.
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