On behalf of the Parish Finance Council, I would like to present to you the Annual Parish Report. A member of the Finance Council will be speaking briefly at each of the Masses at both parishes this weekend, offering you both the highlights of this past year and the hopes and challenges for the year ahead. 

Interestingly, the practice of collecting money at Catholic churches is  almost as old as Christianity itself. Within a few decades of that first  Easter Sunday, St Paul initiated a collection of money from the various communities he visited to support the early church in Jerusalem. Paul considered this very important, so important that he even risked alienating those churches that he had founded in order to complete it. Throughout the New Testament (for example, in 1 Cor 16:1-4, 2 Cor 8:1- 9:15, Gal 2:10, Rom 15:25-31) St. Paul speaks of collecting money to build up the church and to care for the poor. We continue that mission today, right here in our collaborative in Stoughton. It’s in this spirit that I offer you this  report. One of the priorities in our Pastoral Plan is to “sustain a culture of Discipleship by developing a Secure Financial Foundation.” The more secure our financial position, the better positioned we will be to educate our youth, offer adult faith formation, care for the poor, host speakers, provide volunteer  opportunities and social gatherings, and to do it all in church structures that are updated, well-run and well-cared for. Your commitment is crucial. I have been humbled by your generosity thus far. As you will see in the Financial Report, we are closing the gap at both parishes in terms of having our  revenues match our expenses. You will also see an update on our two Capital Campaigns to which so many of you contributed so generously. Work has already commenced at St. James. The new boiler, for example, was installed last month. And as you know from the various bulletin updates, work on  renovating the lower church at Immaculate Conception should begin before Christmas. I ask for your continued generosity as we move forward. I am excited for what the future holds
 
Going forward, I ask you to reflect on two important ways you might help us strengthen the finances of our parishes. 
 
1. Please consider how you can increase your weekly contribution to your spiritual home. It is in this holy place, my friends, that the most significant and meaningful events in our lives take place. It is my hope that we can continue to do this long into the future, but to be able to we need your help. 
 
2. Please sign up for Online Giving program. It is a safe and easy way to give consistently to your  parish. If you do not have access to a computer, please request offertory envelopes. In both cases, if you are away from the parish on a particular weekend (visiting relatives, say, or on vacation) you will be able to make sure that your parish still receives your financial support. 
 
Thank you for your generosity and dedication to Immaculate Conception and St. James. Please know that you are in the daily prayers of Fr. Eduardo, Fr. Will and myself. God’s peace to you. If you would like to receive the full parish finance report, I would be happy to provide it. Just call the office and request a copy. You can also view it on our website. ~ Fr. Joe